Does Walmart offer check cashing services? What kind of checks does it accept? Does it charge a massive fee?
While retail shopping may come to mind when you think of Walmart, it also provides many other things, such as financial services. One of the most popular financial services being check cashing, which is offered by Walmart MoneyCenter and the customer service desk.
Whether you don’t have a bank account or need to cash a check late at night, Walmart MoneyCenter is an excellent option.
This article will cover everything you need to know about Walmart check cashing, such as what you’ll need, the types of checks that are and aren’t accepted, cashing limits, the fee you’ll be charged, and more.
The Quick Answer: To cash a check at Walmart, you only need your check and ID. There is no registration required. At Walmart MoneyCenter or the customer service desk, you can cash checks, such as pre-printed checks, government checks, cashier’s checks, and so on. However, there are types of checks Walmart won’t cash such as handwritten checks.
The check cashing limit is $200 for two-party checks and $5,000 for all other accepted checks. Each customer is limited to cashing three checks per day. The max fee for checks up to $1,000 is $4, and the max fee for checks exceeding this amount is $8. To receive your funds, you can either choose cash or have them loaded onto a Walmart MoneyCard.
Can I Cash a Check at Walmart?
Yes, you can cash a check at Walmart. Cashing a check at Walmart MoneyCenter or the customer service desk during regular business hours is easy, fast, and convenient.
There’s also no registration required, and you will receive your money immediately. This makes Walmart check cashing services an attractive option for those without a bank account.
How to Cash a Check at Walmart
To cash a check at Walmart, all you need to do is visit the MoneyCenter or customer service desk with your check in hand. You don’t even need to make a purchase.
While a Walmart account, bank account, or registration is not required, you will need to bring a valid form of government-issued identification, such as your driver’s license, State ID card, or passport.
You should also be prepared to provide your social security number. However, you will only need to provide your SSN the first time you cash a check at Walmart. The following times you cash a check, you will not need to provide it.
Once the cashier verifies your ID, they will then verify that:
- The check is properly endorsed
- Issuing bank is valid
- The check is drawn on sufficient bank funds
- The bank account number on the check is valid
- Routing number is correct
At the majority of Walmart locations, the check will be processed electronically through TeleCheck. TeleCheck is a check acceptance company.
Other Walmart locations use Certegy, which is a check authorizing service similar to TeleCheck.
After your ID has been verified and the check has been authorized, you will receive the funds.
What Types of Checks Can Walmart Cash?
As a result of potential check fraud, Walmart is very stringent with the types of checks they accept.
The only checks you can cash at Walmart during regular business hours at the MoneyCenter or customer service desk are:
- Pre-printed checks
- Payroll checks
- Government checks
- Tax checks
- Cashiers’ checks
- Insurance settlement checks
- 401(k), retirement disbursem*nt checks
- MoneyGram money orders
- Two-party personal checks
As you can see, handwritten checks are not included. While Walmart will cash pre-printed checks, they won’t cash checks that are filled out and signed by hand.
Related: Where Can I Cash a Personal Check? (11 Best Options)
Types of Checks Walmart Won’t Cash
Due to the risk of fraud, there are many types of checks Walmart won’t cash.
These types of checks include:
- Handwritten checks: Walmart only offers check cashing for pre-printed checks, not ones filled out and signed by hand
- Personal checks: Walmart doesn’t accept personal checks or checks payable to cash
- Third-party checks: Walmart won’t cash checks with multiple payees
- Altered checks
- Post-dated checks
- Comcheks/Comdata checks
- Expired checks
- EFTs checks
- Savings bonds checks
- Foreign checks
- Starter checks
- Checks 180 days or older
- USPS or Western Union money orders: Walmart will only cash MoneyGram money orders that are issued at Walmart.
- Any checks in New Jersey & New York: Due to state laws, Walmart will not cash checks in these states.
If you need to cash a type of check not mentioned above in either list, call your local Walmart to ask if they’ll cash it.
Walmart Check Cashing Limit
The check cashing limit at Walmart is $200 for two-party personal checks and $5,000 for all other accepted checks.
However, the check cashing limit of $5,000 for other checks is increased to $7,000 from January to April. This is to accommodate check amounts that are larger than $5,000 as a result of customers receiving tax refunds.
That said, customers are limited to cashing three checks each day.
Note: Some individual Walmart locations may have lower check cashing limits.
How Much Does Walmart Charge to Cash Checks?
Walmart charges three different fees to cash a check depending on the check amount:
- Checks up to $1,000: Max fee of $4 per check
- Checks more than $1,000 and up to $5,000: Max fee of $8 per check
- Two-party personal checks up to $200: Max fee of $6 per check
The fee you pay to cash a check at Walmart can be paid upfront or deducted from the check amount.
That said, if you load the check funds onto a Walmart MoneyCard, the reload fee will be waived.
Walmart Check Cashing Payment Methods
If you cash a check at Walmart, there are two ways to receive your cashed funds:
- Walmart MoneyCard: reload fee waived – no interest charges – 2% APY on savings – offers direct deposit – discounts and cash back – overdraft & lock protection – no credit check required
- Cold hard cash: see fees listed above
As you can see, the Walmart Moneycard is an excellent option if you plan to regularly cash checks at Walmart or already use it for other purposes. It’s also a great option if you’re a regular shopper on Walmart.com.
Aside from Walmart, the MoneyCard can be used to make purchases anywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted.
Note: The initial fee for a Walmart MoneyCard is $1. You can apply for it in-store on online.
Walmart MoneyCenter Hours
While Some Walmart locations are open 24/7, Walmart MoneyCenter does have limited hours.
Walmart MoneyCenter is typically open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sundays.
That said, you may want to call your local Walmart MoneyCenter to verify their hours beforehand.
To find your local Walmart MoneyCenter:
- Visit the Walmart Store Finder, enter your ZIP code, and click “Find store”
- Choose the Walmart location from the list closest to you and select “Store detail”
- The location’s services, hours, and contact info will be listed
- Use the number to call and ask if they have a MoneyCenter and what their hours are
If your local Walmart doesn’t have a MoneyCenter, you should still be able to cash your check at the customer service desk.
Walmart Check Cashing FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about cashing checks at Walmart:
Can I Cash a Check at Walmart Online?
You can cash a check online at Walmart with their mobile banking MoneyCard app.
With the Walmart MoneyCard app, you can deposit checks, pay bills, transfer money, monitor your balance, and much more from anywhere and at any time.
The app also provides a lock protection option in the event that you lose your MoneyCard or it gets stolen.
The app is available on both iOS and Android smartphones.
Will Walmart Cash a Handwritten Personal Check?
No, Walmart will not cash a handwritten check, i.e., a check filled out and signed by hand. These types of checks have strict regulations and a unique cashing process.
That said, due to the risk of fraud, Walmart only offers check cashing services for pre-printed checks and the other checks listed above.
Why Would Walmart Deny Cashing a Check?
There are several reasons Walmart may refuse to cash a check:
- Ineligible check: There are many types of checks Walmart won’t cash, such as handwritten checks, starter checks, post-dated checks, etc. If you’re unsure if Walmart accepts your type of check, see the list above.
- Insufficient bank funds: If there aren’t sufficient funds to cover the check amount, the check will bounce. The check will also bounce if the bank account is closed or frozen.
- Check amount exceeds maximum: Walmart will only cash checks up to $5,000 and up to $7,000 from January to April to accommodate tax refunds.
Final Thoughts on Walmart Check Cashing
Not only is cashing a check at Walmart affordable, but it’s also convenient, fast, and reliable. This makes Walmart check cashing an excellent option for those who don’t have a bank account or need to cash a check at an odd hour.
However, it does come at a cost. While cashing a check at a bank you’re a customer of is free, if you cash a check at Walmart, you will pay a maximum fee of $8 per check if you receive the funds in cash.
Considering this, you’re better off just taking the time to open a checking account with your local bank.
If that’s not an option and you’ll need to cash several checks at Walmart, consider loading your funds onto a MoneyCard, as it’s cheaper than receiving cash.
That said, cashing a check at Walmart is still cheaper than some other places like many check cashing stores.
