Cashing checks at Walmart is a popular and convenient option for many people who don’t have a traditional bank account or prefer not to use their bank’s services. Walmart offers check-cashing services through its Walmart MoneyCenter and customer service desks, making it a fast and accessible way to access your funds. Whether you’re cashing a paycheck, a government check, or a tax refund, understanding how the process works and what to expect can save you time and money.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some helpful tips for cashing checks at Walmart checks at Walmart, including what types of checks you can cash, the fees involved, and other important details to keep in mind when using Walmart’s check-cashing services.
1. Know the Types of Checks Walmart Will Cash
Walmart cashes a wide variety of checks, but there are specific types of checks they accept. Here are the most common checks Walmart will cash:
- Payroll Checks: Walmart accepts personal payroll checks, which are issued by an employer to pay an employee for work. Ensure that your payroll check meets Walmart’s requirements and that it’s properly signed by your employer.
- Government Checks: Walmart will cash government-issued checks such as tax refunds, Social Security checks, and unemployment benefit checks. These checks must be drawn from the U.S. government or state governments.
- Tax Refund Checks: You can cash your tax refund check at Walmart, including those issued by the IRS. However, make sure the check is properly endorsed and includes all necessary details for processing.
- Cashier’s Checks and Money Orders: Walmart also accepts cashier’s checks and money orders, as long as they are properly endorsed and meet Walmart’s criteria.
- Insurance Settlement Checks: In some cases, Walmart will cash insurance settlement checks, but the check must meet their criteria for processing.
2. Understand the Fees for Cashing Checks at Walmart
Walmart offers competitive check-cashing rates compared to many traditional check-cashing services. However, it’s important to know what fees you’ll be charged before you cash your check.
- Fee for Payroll and Government Checks: Walmart charges a flat fee of $4 for checks under $1,000, and $8 for checks over $1,000. This fee is fairly affordable compared to other check-cashing outlets, which may charge higher fees based on the percentage of the check amount.
- Fee for Tax Refund Checks: If you’re cashing a tax refund check, Walmart charges the same fee as for payroll and government checks. The flat fee is $4 for checks under $1,000 and $8 for checks over $1,000.
- Money Orders: Walmart charges up to $0.88 for money order transactions, though the exact fee depends on the type of money order and the location.
It’s important to note that if you want to cash a check for an amount that exceeds $1,000, Walmart may ask you to wait or come back later, as some locations have limits on how much they can process in a single transaction.
3. Bring Proper Identification
Just like any other check-cashing service, you’ll need to provide valid identification when cashing a check at Walmart. This helps ensure the check is being cashed by the rightful recipient and reduces the risk of fraud. Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Driver’s License
- State-Issued ID
- Passport
- Military ID
- Permanent Resident Card
Ensure that the name on your ID matches the name on the check. If there is any discrepancy, Walmart may refuse to cash the check or ask you to provide additional verification.
4. Make Sure the Check is Endorsed
Before you can cash a check at Walmart, it must be properly endorsed. This means the payee (the person whose name is on the check) must sign the back of the check. If the check is made out to more than one person, both payees must sign.
If you’re cashing a third-party check (a check made out to someone else and endorsed over to you), Walmart may not accept it, as it has stricter policies regarding third-party checks. It’s always best to check with Walmart beforehand to verify whether they will accept the check.
5. Cash Your Check During Business Hours
Walmart’s check-cashing services are available at most of their locations, but the hours can vary by store. Generally, check-cashing services are available during regular business hours, including weekends, but they may be limited after hours. Be sure to check with your local Walmart to confirm the hours for check cashing.
Walmart MoneyCenters are typically open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, but store-specific hours may differ. Additionally, you can often find check-cashing services at the customer service desk, which may have slightly different hours.
6. Use Walmart’s Prepaid Debit Card for Faster Access
If you don’t want to carry around large amounts of cash, or if you’re planning to shop right after cashing your check, consider having the funds loaded onto a Walmart MoneyCard, which is a prepaid debit card. You can use this card immediately after loading it, and it can be used just like a regular debit card for purchases at Walmart or other retailers.
For a small fee (typically $3), Walmart will load your check directly onto a MoneyCard, which can be a convenient option if you plan to use the funds right away. This way, you can avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use the funds for future purchases or online payments.
7. Be Aware of Check-Cashing Limits
Walmart has check-cashing limits that may affect larger checks. As of now, Walmart’s maximum check-cashing limit is $5,000 per check. If your check exceeds this amount, you may be required to visit another location or request that the check be cashed in smaller amounts. Be aware that Walmart might ask for additional verification if you attempt to cash a check for a large amount.
If you’re cashing a check for more than $1,000, you may experience a delay, as some Walmart locations have a limit on how much they can process at one time.
8. Ensure the Check is Legitimate
Walmart will not cash checks that are considered fraudulent or counterfeit. Always check to make sure that the check is legitimate before heading to the store. Here are some tips for spotting potential issues with your check:
- Verify that the check is issued by a reputable source, such as an employer, government agency, or recognized financial institution.
- Make sure the check is properly signed and that there are no alterations.
- Double-check that the date and amounts are correct.
If a check appears suspicious, Walmart may refuse to cash it. In these cases, contact the issuer of the check for further clarification.