What’s the use of a check if you can’t cash it? According to the FDIC, 7.1 million American households do not have a bank account. A few others do, but do not have a valid government-issued ID to cash it. Since you would usually need to have a bank account or present an ID to cash a check, does this mean they can’t be paid with a check?
This article provides guidelines on stress-free methods of cashing a check without an ID or bank account. It also presents insights on how to get a personal loan with competitive interest rates.
What Forms of ID Do I Need To Cash A Check?
Though we’re working towards a cashless society, we just aren’t here yet. Checks are still widely used even in the presence of debit cards, credit cards, and various forms of electronic payments.
While writing a check is as simple as putting pen to paper, writing the amount to be cashed and signing, cashing this check can be a little tedious.
To cash a check, you will usually need to provide one or two forms of identification. The most common forms of identification include a picture ID, birth certificate, health insurance card, social security card, driver’s license, or state photo ID depending on what’s tenable at the banking hall you’re visiting. But if it’s a government-issued ID, then it’s tenable anywhere. Check to be sure your ID isn’t expired yet. Otherwise, it can’t be used.
You may also need to turn in a credit card or utility bill which is usually used as proof of address. Banks request an ID to protect themselves from possible check fraud. They are also not obligated by law to cash the check if neither you nor the writer of the check has an account with the said bank.
How to Cash A Check Without ID?
It’s still possible to cash a check without an ID. Here are some of the easiest ways of doing so:
Make a deposit via your bank’s mobile app
Your bank’s mobile app isn’t just another app taking up space on your mobile device. It can help you cash out a check if you have no ID or simply do not want to go all the way to the banking hall. Many banks allow their customers to cash checks from their mobile apps.
But that’s not without linking the app to your bank account. That is, for this method to work, you must have signed up for online banking services.
Although the process may differ from bank to bank, this is a summarized list of the general process of making a deposit via your bank’s mobile app:
- Download the bank’s app either from iOS Apple store or Google’s PlayStore
- Navigate to the Deposit Checks option
- Select the deposit account you want to get the money into
- Enter the amount to be checked
- Take clear pictures of the front and back sides of the check and upload
- Provide other details the bank may require
Once you upload photos of the check and submit your deposit request, the standard steps for processing and clearing the funds then follow.
Third-party check: Sign check over to someone with an ID
Another option is to sign the check over to another individual. However, this individual must be someone you can trust; preferably, a friend or relative.
Third-party checks are against some banks’ policies since they can be used for fraud. Therefore, you will have to check with the issuing bank and the bank of the individual you are endorsing to be sure it is not against their policy.
Signing over a check to someone else is as easy as writing the check with an endorsement caption like “Pay to the order of [enter their name]”, then sign. The person the check is signed over to will need to sign the check as well.
The new “check owner” will need to present their ID to cash the check. Then, the bank decides whether to deposit the money or cash the check.
ATM check cashing
ATMs aren’t only useful for depositing cash. These days, some ATMs even allow you to cash checks in an instant. But, for this method to work, you must have a checking account or prepaid debit card with the bank to cash a check with their ATM in the first place.
No ID is required to do this. Simply head over to your bank’s ATM; bring along the check, your bank debit card and a pen to endorse the check. Insert the debit card into the ATM and enter your pin, select the “cash back” option from the several options on the screen, endorse the check, insert the check into the ATM and follow the prompts on the screen thereon.
There’s usually a limit to how much you can cash, and this cap differs from bank to bank. A bank like Regions Bank for instance allows you to cash up to $3k using their ATM. Also, note that not every ATM has this option enabled.
Prepaid cards
Reloadable prepaid cards are a very good way to cash a check if you do not have an ID. These cards can be found at big stores like Walmart, and Walgreens. They can be used as debit card substitutes as far as checking cash is concerned. The check amount will be directly loaded onto the prepaid card.
All you need to do to set this up is register the card and activate it. This should not take long. Then, transfer the funds to your bank account using the direct deposit option.
Or, you may insert the prepaid card into your bank’s ATM, as you do with any other debit card. One of the positives of this method is that you can reload these cards for as long as you want. There are no limits to how many times you can reload the card.
Do You Need Money Now? Consider Taking Out A Loan!
Cashing a check means there’s some money stored up for you somewhere, isn’t it? Sometimes, there’s no emergency fund or money in your savings you can leverage. If this is you, you may consider applying for a loan. By going through a loan broker like iPaydayLoans, you get access to several loan offers in one application. Some common loans you can get through iPaydayLoans partner lenders are payday loans, installment loans, short-term loans, and auto title loans.
Here's how to apply for a loan.
Submit a loan request
Make an official loan request by providing us with essential details like your name, email, the purpose of the loan, email, phone number, etc. Then, submit.
Approve loan
We will connect you with different lenders who will review your loan request, run affordability checks on you and approve you for a loan if their assessments show that you can afford the loan.
Compare offers
Compare the offers from different lenders and sign the offer you most agree with to make it a contractual agreement between you and them.
Deposit cash
Our partner lenders approve your loan as quickly as five minutes and deposit the loan in your bank account as soon as the next business day.
 | Why Us | |
|---|---|---|
| How much can I borrow? | $50-$35,000 | No hidden fees or charges |
| I have bad credit. Can I apply? | Yes | Bad credit is considered |
| Over how long can I spread the repayments? | 1-36 months | Fast decisions |
| Are credit checks involved? | Yes | Soft credit checks only |
| Chances of getting approvals | Good | 256-bit encryption protocol |
| How to apply? | Apply online | Easy application |
FAQs:
Is It Possible For Someone Else To Cash My Check?
Yes, it is. But not without your authority. You can endorse someone else to cash a check on your behalf by writing pay to the order of, the person’s name and signing. They have to sign too. By endorsing someone else to sign the check, you are handing over your rights to the check to that person.
What Are The Reasons Why You Don't Have An Id?
Some persons do not have a government-issued ID like a driver’s license because they are elderly, poor or live in a big city. Essentially, most people who live in the big cities prefer to use public transport than drive around. Seniors too may no longer drive and so have no need for a driver’s license.
Where Can I Cash a Check with ID?
If you don’t have an ID or yours is expired, you can still cash your check at your bank’s ATM, a retailer that cashes checks (grocery store or discount department store), the check issuing bank, check cashing establishments, and check issuing credit union.
Am I Allowed To Cash A Check With An Expired Id?
No, you can’t. Your ID must be current and valid to cash a check. If your government-issued ID is expired, ask customer support if there are other forms of ID they accept. Some secondary forms of identification are firearms permits with photo ID, birth certificates, school photo ID, and employment photo ID. But an expired ID is a no-no.