Where can i cash a check from the us treasury

However, the longer you hold the bond, the more it earns for you (for up to 30 years for an EE or I bond).

Also, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.

Have a paper check to cash, but don't have a bank account? No worries, you can still cash a check without a bank account and you can do this by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store.

Where can i cash a check from the us treasury

When most people receive a check, they deposit it in their bank account, cash it at their bank, or show their ID and cash it at the bank that issued the check. It’s possible to cash a check without a bank account by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store. It’s also possible to cash a check if you’ve lost your ID by using an ATM or signing it over to someone else. Learn more below.

Cash a Check without a Bank Account

It’s possible to cash a check without a bank account, but it’s not as convenient and you’ll pay some fees.

How to cash a check without a bank account, but you have ID:

  • Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check)
  • Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.)
  • Cash the check at a check-cashing store
  • Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account

All of these options will have fees and may be time-consuming. The fees might be small, but they add up. If you’re earning $300 a week and paying $7 to cash your paycheck, that’s 2% of your paycheck used just to convert your paycheck to cash. That’s $360 in fees per year!

Save yourself money and time and open a bank checking account. Once you have a checking account, you can probably get direct deposit (your employer deposits your paycheck directly into your account) or you can deposit your check through an ATM.

Do I need an ID to cash a check?

How to cash a check without ID:

  • Deposit it into your account through an ATM at your bank
  • Take advantage of ATM check cashing if your bank offers it
  • Sign the check over to someone else

Most banks require your ID be presented before they cash a check, but there’s no standard list for what’s considered an acceptable form of ID. Check with your bank or the bank that issued the check to see if you have a document that they’ll accept as ID.

As a last resort, you can sign the check over to someone you trust and ask them to cash it for you. This creates a third-party check. However, if you choose this option, keep in mind that many banks will require verification that original payee authorized the signing over of the check, by having the original payee present and presenting their ID. Read about how to endorse a check to have a friend cash it for you.

Open a Huntington Checking Account

If you want a basic checking account with no monthly maintenance fee, or an interest-earning checking account, we've got the options that are right for you.

Learn More

Share:

Visit Huntington's Facebook page Visit Huntington's LinkedIn page Visit Huntington's Twitter feed

Where can i cash a check from the us treasury

Checking Basics

Read Time: 4 Min

Cashing a Money Order

Find out where you can cash a money order, how to do it, and what you need to do it. Learn about money orders and other banking basics with us.

December 13, 2022

Where can i cash a check from the us treasury

Checking Basics

Read Time: 4 Min

How to Open a Checking Account Online

Opening a checking account is easier than ever, especially if you decide to apply online – it just takes a few clicks! If you prefer to open your account in person, stop by any Huntington branch to meet with a banker.

Whether you have a welfare, tax refund, Social Security or other type of government check, cashing it is simple. Even if you do not have a bank account, there are other options, such as a check-cashing facility or grocery store. For those places, you'll need a government-issued ID card or state driver's license that verifies your identity.

Try Your Bank

If you have an account at a local bank, you can always cash your check there, unless your account is in poor standing. If you don't have an account, apply to open one. Even without an account, you may still be able to cash certain types of government checks at a local bank.

Some checks, such as tax refund checks, are issued directly by the U.S. Treasury, and most banks will cash them even if you aren't an account holder. However, you may be charged a nominal fee because you aren't a customer.

Utilize Grocery Store Services

Many large grocery stores, convenience stores and discount store chains such as Giant Eagle, Walmart, Giant, Publix, Circle K, 7-Eleven, Safeway and Dominick's often cash government checks for a small fee. For instance, Walmart will cash checks up to $7,500 during the months of January through April. This is to allow customers to cash their tax refund checks.

Otherwise, Walmart's check-cashing limit is $5,000. The fee is $4.00 to cash checks up to, and including, $1,000, and checks up to $5,000 cost $8.00. As with most places that cash checks, you will need at least one form of government-issued identification in order to cash it.

Read More: 7 Ways to Cut Your Monthly Grocery Bill in Half

Visit Check-Cashing Establishments

If you don't have a bank account, or do not live near a grocery or convenience store that cashes checks, you probably have a check-cashing facility that you can use. Some popular chains include Ace Cash Express, Money Mart, Check Into Cash and Any Kind Checks Cashed. These facilities can honor government checks as long as you have an ID.

Fees vary, usually between 2 and 10 percent of the check's total. Because these establishments typically charge higher fees than a bank, they are generally reserved as a last resort, or used by those whom are under-banked.

Endorse the Check to Someone Else

In the event you can't cash your check by other methods, you may be able to have a friend or family member you trust deposit the check into their bank account. This is known as a special endorsement. In order to do this, you would first need to endorse the check to the person you want to deposit it.

On the back of a check is a line where you endorse it for deposit. Instead of simply signing it yourself, on this line you should write, "Pay to the order of: (the name of the party you’re paying)" and your signature underneath. When your friend goes to deposit the check, he will endorse beneath your signature. Take note, not all financial institutions accept special endorsed checks, so review the bank's policies or contact an agent for further assistance.

Read More: Will a Bank Cash a Check If It Is Not Endorsed?

References

  • Republic Bank: Check Cashing Options
  • FinWeb.com: Cashing a Check Without a Bank Account
  • First Quarter Finance: Publix Money Order and Publix Check Cashing Policies
  • Walmart: Check Cashing
  • JoshStaiger.org: How to sign over a check
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "Expedited Funds Availability Act." Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • CO-OP Financial Services. "CO-OP Shared Branch." Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Can I Cash a Check at Any Bank or Credit Union?" Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • U.S. Treasury. "U.S. Treasury Check Security Features." Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • Walmart. "Check Cashing." Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • Food Lion. "Customer Service." Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • Money Services. "Check Cashing." Accessed April 7, 2020.
  • American Express. "American Express Serve Prepaid Debit Accounts." Accessed April 7, 2020.

Writer Bio

Leeann Teagno has been writing professionally since 2006. An English major, she continues to study information systems management at American Public University. Teagno is an organic gardener, cook and technology buff with past employment in mobile communications. She also volunteers at an animal shelter and operates a home bakery.

Where can you cash a government check?

You can easily cash your government checks at your local Money Services and our in-store team will be happy to help. Just stop by your nearest Money Services to cash in your government check, with no need for enrollment and low fees. We're open evenings and weekends, which makes Money Services really convenient to use.

How do I cash a United States Treasury?

At a bank: Banks vary in how much they will cash at one time – or if they cash savings bonds at all..
Do not sign the bonds..
Get FS Form 1522..
Fill it out..
Get your signature certified, if necessary..
Send the form and the bonds to us at the address on FS Form 1522..

Where can I cash my check without a bank account?

Cash a Check without a Bank Account.
Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check).
Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.).
Cash the check at a check-cashing store..

Can you cash a government check at your bank?

If you already have a bank account, your bank will cash your tax refund checks without charging a fee. If you don't have a bank account, you can still cash the check at any bank, and some banks will charge a small fee for the service as you are not a customer.