Grocery stores have become even more convenient than they used to be over the years, especially when it comes to cashing checks.
For sure, their primary focus is to offer the groceries you actually came for, but most grocery stores cater to offering more than just "grocery shopping" by featuring check cashing services at centers usually called Money Service Centers or Locations for anyone looking to cash a check without having to follow the regular banking hours.
If you're looking to cash a check at a nearby grocery store, I've compiled this list of grocery stores that cash checks near you so you can access them with all the convenience.
How Do Grocery Stores Cash Checks?
Obviously, the way grocery stores cash checks differs from the way your bank will cash them, especially when it comes to handling certain types of checks.
The convenience of cashing checks at a bank is that you can have your funds deposited directly to your bank account, and there aren't many fees charged, especially if you are cashing a check that was issued by the bank's customer.
But with grocery stores, it's completely different since they aren't a financial company as are banks.
Grocery stores cash checks and either hand you the money in hand, or deposit it in your bank account or digital wallet (at a high cost), but the convenience with cashing your checks at a grocery store with so many nearby locations (unlike with banks) and at times out of banking hours is typically what we all seek, right?
For sure, you'll need to verify that you are legally authorized to cash that particular check, and this extends to both banks and grocery stores, though there are a few tricks to cashing checks without ID.
Grocery Stores That Cash Checks Near Me
Check cashing is an additional feature offered by grocery stores out there, and there's a great chance that there's a nearby grocery location that offers check cashing services.
To help you easily tight the search, here's a list of grocery stores that cash checks at most of their locations, even those near you.
1. Kroger
Kroger is definitely one of the big names that a worth a first consideration for anyone, not only those out for grocery shopping should seek, but for anyone who would like to cash checks at a local grocer.
With over 2,000 Money Service Locations cashing checks throughout the country, there's a great chance that there's one nearby waiting for you. Plus, you can use their Money Service locator to find a nearby Kroger store offering check-cashing services.
What I even love about Kroger and that makes them stand out in the competition is that they don't require any form of enrollment from you. All you'll have to do is verify that you are legally authorized to cash the check, accept the terms (including the fees), and let them do the rest.
They'll cash any check within minutes, including: payroll, government, income tax refund, insurance settlement, and business checks.
As for the fees and limit, they vary by state, according to Kroger, and you'll have to confirm this with your local Money Service Desk, but you can always save on fees if you use your Shopper's Card.
2. Walmart
Walmart is another grocery store that's very well known for cashing checks.
In fact, if you've visited a Walmart store before, you must have probably seen someone cashing their check at their Money Service Center.
Walmart cashes many different types of checks, including payroll, government, tax refund, cashiers', insurance settlement, 401(k) checks, two-party checks (that's a check that hasn't been endorsed to someone yet), and even Western Union and MoneyGram money orders, making it one of the preferred grocery locations to visit if you think of cashing a check at a grocery store someday.
There's a limit on how much you can cash on a check, however, and in most states, you should find a limit of up to $5,000, which usually increases every year to $7,500 between January and April.
As for the fees, you should be charged no more than $4 for cashing checks of up to $1,000. The fees go even higher, up to $8 when you cash checks with amounts between $1,001 and $5,000.
To cash your check at Walmart, simply bring your check and ID document to the Money Service Center Desk, hand them to the cashier, and accept the check-cashing fee that'll be imposed for the service.
3. Smith's Food and Drug
Smith's Food and Drug has a rich history behind it, particularly in the context of grocers in general, and as a subsidiary of Kroger, it typically adheres to the same terms as its parent company.
Just like their parent company, they operate over 2,000 Money Service locations throughout the country that will let you cash many types of checks, including: payroll, government, income tax refund, insurance settlement, and business checks at very low fees, which vary by state.
As for the check-cashing limit, you should be allowed to cash checks of up to $5,000, and you should be able to cash your check even without a bank account, just as Kroger lets you do.
To cut things short, if you've ever cashed a check at Kroger before, just know that it is the same process as with Smith's Food and Drug.
4. Hannaford
Hannaford is another supermarket chain that has many locations throughout New England and New York, offering check cashing services at typically one of the most competitive rates you'll see on this list.
You should be able to cash a few different types of checks, including personal, payroll, and government checks of amounts no more than $1,000 per check and at a fee of $1.
You can easily locate a nearby store with their store locator tool, and just like most grocers on this list, you'll typically need your ID to cash your checks, so make sure you move along with it.
5. Fred Meyer
Fred Meyer is another subsidiary of Kroger on this list, and just like their parent company, they typically offer the same check cashing service, including the locations (over 2,000 locations), the types of checks (payroll, government, income tax refund, insurance settlement, and business checks), fees (varies by state), and limits (up to $5,000).
You can find a nearby Fred Meyer location using their store locator to cash your checks.
6. Albertsons
Albertsons is more like a mouth-to-ear grocery store that cashes checks since they don't typically offer a check-cashing documentation, as many other options on this list.
Despite being a great grocer, Albertson is very strict when it comes to check cashing, as its stores offering check cashing service will only cash electronically stored checks such as payroll, government, and some personal checks, though this wasn't really specified by them.
This goes same for the limit and fees, and I think this one will typically vary by state.
7. Baker's
Baker's is another subsidiary of Kroger featured on this list and one of the biggest grocery stores with stores primarily located in the Omaha, Nebraska metropolitan area, ready to let you cash your checks.
You should find over 2,000 Money Service Centers that will let you cash your checks, including payroll checks, government checks, income tax refund checks, insurance settlement checks, and business checks.
Fees typically vary by state, but you should be able to cash checks of up to $2,000 at a fee of $3 and amounts of up to $5,000 at a $5.50 fee. So you see that the fees typically reduce as the amount reduces, which is just logical.
8. Food City
Food City operates stores offering check-cashing services in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
They don't really mention the types of checks they cash, but you should be able to cash checks like payroll checks, government checks, and rebate checks at a fee of $5 per check.
The requirements for a store location are completely different from those of another store location, so always call and ask ahead of time, especially if you frequently visit the store location.
9. H-E-B
H-E-B is probably a large grocery store that everyone living in Texas should know.
It operates over 435 store locations in Texas and Mexico, with a good number of them offering check cashing services at just $3 charged as fees.
Plus, you'll be able to cash many different types of checks, including government, payroll, dividend, and insurance checks, and get your funds either in cash or loaded onto your Netspend prepaid card.
10. Publix
Publix is not the biggest name on this list for sure, but its commitment to customer service is on another level and even more than what you'll expect with most other grocers.
Part of this customer service is the check cashing service, and they let you cash both personal and payroll checks at all of their 1,300 store locations.
The fees and limits will vary by location, and I can't really figure out for all stores, so it's best you reach out to your local Publix and find out.
11. WinCo Foods
Winco Foods is another grocery store that lets you cash checks in over 10 states in the US.
They'll only let you cash payroll checks of up to $1,000, and the fees you'll have to pay will typically be determined by the store.
12. Price Chopper
Price Chopper is a grocery store that lets you cash many different checks, including; pre-printed payroll checks, personal checks (of up to $30), disability, Workers' Compensation, Public Assistance, and County Issued Child Support and should be suitable for someone looking to cash checks that aren't supported by most grocers.
You'll even be happy to know that Price Chopper is a grocery store that lets you cash your checks for free, but that will only be possible if your transaction doesn't require a fee to be paid, and this will heavily depend on the type of check you are cashing.
13. Ingles Market
Ingles Market is another popular supermarket you've probably heard of, especially if you reside in North Carolina.
It operates over 200 store locations that offer check cashing services to customers in 6 Southeastern states, and they cash just payroll and personal checks.
There's a catch with cashing checks at their local stores. You'll need to apply for the Ingles Advantage card, but don't worry about paying for it because it is completely free to get.
The funds you'll cash from your check will be deposited on this card, and the fees here should be considerably lower than what most options on this list have to propose.
14. Superior Grocers
Superior Grocers is equally well-known when it comes to check cashing, especially among shoppers in Southern California and Nevada, where the grocer primarily operates.
For sure, they don't cash all types of checks, but what makes them unique on this list is their ability to cash payroll checks for free.
I'm not sure about the limits to cashing payroll checks freely at their locations, but you can always use their store locator tool to find a nearby location, which will show its address and phone number, then you can call this phone number and inquire more about cashing your payroll checks freely.
15. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee is also known for cashing checks, and while they don't really specify the types of checks they cash, you should be able to find out by calling a local Hy-Vee store that you're planning to visit.
How to Cash Checks at Grocery Stores
The process of cashing checks at grocery stores is typically the same for most of them whether one is the subsidiary or parent of the other grocer or not—it doesn't just matter.
But to make this short, let me just explain the process with a few steps:
- Find a nearby store with the store locator and inquire about their check cashing services to confirm.
- If they confirm they cash checks at the described terms, then use the directions to get to the location.
- Once at the store, tell the cashier at the Money Center that you want to cash your check.
- Hand them your check, your ID document, and the fees required to cash your check, with how you want to receive your funds.
- You should receive or get confirmation of your funds being transferred within a few minutes and you're ok to go.
That's just how you get to cash checks at a grocery store that offers the service. You'll also need to be sure that the store you're visiting supports your check—so don't forget to ask that over the phone.
Grocery Stores That Don't Cash Checks
There's a long-lasting list of grocers that gladly cash checks, just as there are a good number of these stores that don't offer check cashing services, which include:
- ALDI
- BJ's Wholesale Club
- Harris Teeter (as previously reported)
- Jewel-Osco
- Sam's Club
- Target (as previously reported)
- Trader Joe's
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
Where Can I Cash A Handwritten Check?
Most places, including grocery stores, will always refuse to cash a handwritten check, and this isn't something uncommon. So in this case, the best place for you to cash a handwritten check is to visit the bank that issued the check.
Final Thoughts
The convenience and availability of grocery stores have made it even easier to manage finances, especially for cashing checks. You no longer need to wait for the regular banking hours—you just need to get to a local grocery store that you know cashes checks.
However, this convenience comes at a fee, and if you aren't well informed, you'll definitely be cashing your check at the most costly grocery store providing the service. For example, you cashing a $25 payroll check at Walmart for $4, while you can do so for free at grocers like Price Chopper.
This guide is here to better guide you through the grocery stores to pick from for every situation, as I've mentioned both the fees and limits where applicable, so you won't be losing when cashing your checks at local stores.