Is there any way to cash a check or money order without a checking account?

Question

A friend of mine is sending me money order (or a check if I prefer) and I need to cash it but I don't have any sort of account. Is there any way around it?

Answer 1

Yes, 39¢ at Wally mart.

Answer 2

Most banks will cash money orders or checks on accounts with the same bank for a fee ($1-3 usually). They aren't generally willing to cash checks from other banks without an account because they have no way to get their money back if it bounces. Take the money order and you'll have an easier time.

Answer 3

A bank must honor its own checks. So you can cash a check at any branch of the bank form which the check was drawn. So if she writes it on Bank of America, and sends it to you, you can cash it at any Bank of America. I have done this before, cash a check at a bank, without a checking account, because the check came from another branch of that bank.

I am not so sure about money orders, they are supposed to be able to be spent like cash. I suggest that you ask the bank nearest you for more information. It is also possible for your friend to send you a Cashier's Check or a Bank Transfer, or Wire the money via Western Union. You will have to talk with a bank itself about how these are accepted. Any bank will gladly talk with you about these things, even if you don't have an account in hopes that you might open an account with them. But, your check is probably too small for them to lie to you just so you will open a bank account with them.

I know that the first method will work.

Answer 4

Any bank should cash a money order as long as you have I.D
A personal check can also be cashed but you might want to go to that bank that issued that check.

Answer 5

Yes, but there will likely be a fee...You can typically cash the check where it is drawn on.
Try to avoid the check cashing establishments as the will take a percentage of your check. You can typically cash the check where it is drawn on

Just open the account if you can....it will be worth it in the long run. If you can't get with a banker to reslove whatever the issue is (checksystems).

Answer 6

Have him send you a Post Office Money Order and you can cash it at any Post Office.

Answer 7

Have them send you a money order because the funds on those are guranteed since your friend would have to pay for the money order.

Most places are willing to cash money orders for that reason.

Answer 8

if you are over 18 you can go to a consignment (pawn) shop.. they will call to verify that the check is real and the funds are available and take 3-5% of the chack value depending on the amount .. you need a photo ID ..
If you are under 18 .. they throw you out :)

or, if you are friendly with just about any store or business owner.. they can cash it for ya :)

Answer 9

if he buys a money order from the post office you should be able to cash the money order at your local post office. That's how I send money to my brother.

Answer 10

if you are in the US

get a postal money order (from the post office) you can take it to a post office and cash it with a drivers liscense