This is How To Cash A Check At Walmart Without an ID!
There are numerous reasons why Walmart is a leading global retail chain. One such reason is the outstanding convenience and excellence of Walmart’s financial services provided through Walmart’s Money Center.
Money Center offers several services, including check cashing, but what happens if you head into Walmart without your ID? Can you cash your check here without an ID? If so, how can you go about it?
Unfortunately, you cannot cash a check a Walmart without an ID. Walmart requires a valid state-issued photo ID to cash checks. They only accept primary photo IDs and would not permit using secondary IDs for check cashing. However, you can sign your check to someone with an ID and have him cash the check for you at Walmart.
Is It Possible to Cash a Check at Walmart Without an ID?
It is impossible to cash a check at Walmart without a valid means of Identification (an ID).
You cannot cash a check at Walmart unless you have a valid ID with your photo on it.
Walmart does not just require any ID but insists on state-issued photo IDs for check cashing.
Examples of IDs accepted by Walmart for check cashing include a driver’s license, a US passport, a military ID, and any state-issued ID.
Nevertheless, if you’re stuck at Walmart with a check and without an ID, you can cash the check by simply signing it over to someone who has a valid ID to cash it for you.
This option comes at no extra cost to any party. They will cash the check at the same fee: a maximum of $3 for checks below $1000 and $6 for checks above $1000.
While this may seem stressful and demanding, Walmart is strict with the identification process for check cashing as a means to protect you.
Walmart verifies your Photo ID with a matching address and requests your social security number to ensure that no unauthorized person can cash your cheque.
Can I Cash My Check at Walmart With a School ID?
You cannot cash your check at Walmart with a school ID, even if it is valid and up-to-date.
That is because Walmart only accepts state-issued photo IDs and Primary IDs, and a school ID is not in these categories.
A school ID is a secondary ID and holds no value at Walmart Money Center. Ordinarily, secondary IDs are equal to primary IDs when used in pairs.
For example, your school ID paired with your birth certificate holds the same value as a driver’s license, which is a primary ID.
Notwithstanding, that is not the case with Walmart’s money center; even when paired with another secondary ID, you cannot cash a check with your school ID.
Does My ID Address Need to Match to Cash My Check at Walmart?
Yes, the address on your ID must match for Walmart to cash your check. The increase in check frauds has made non-bank financial service providers like Walmart Money Center more conscious.
As a result, your photo must appear clearly on your ID, the address must match, and the ID must be valid for Walmart to cash your check.
Even cases of recently expired IDs are non-negotiable at Walmart for check cashing.
That means that Walmart will not cash your check even if your picture on the ID is a perfect match and the ID expired just a few weeks ago.
In addition to your ID, Walmart will also request your Social Security Number (SSN) before cashing your check.
Can Someone Cash My Check at Walmart?
You cannot have someone else cash your check unless you sign the check over to the individual.
The person can cash the check with his ID and without you. After endorsing your check to someone else, you needn’t be present nor present an ID for the individual to cash the check.
Therefore, you need to be careful when signing your check over to someone else. You should only endorse your check to someone you trust, like a friend or a family member.
To endorse your check to someone else, simply sign your name, then write ‘pay to the order of’ immediately accompanied by the individual’s full name.
This action grants the person the legal right to cash your check as his.
Differences Between Cashing a Check At Walmart And At the Bank?
Whether you decide to cash your check at Walmart or directly at the bank, both will require you to present a valid ID and your social security number.
However, they are notable differences between cashing a check at Walmart and cashing a check at the bank.
The table below makes a detailed comparison based on some essential criteria.
| Criteria | Walmart | Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | ✔ | |
| Unlimited Amount | ✔ | |
| Cost-effective | ✔ | |
| Personal Checks | ✔ | |
| Accept Secondary ID | ✔ |
The table above shows some notable differences between cashing checks at the bank and Walmart.
Now, while cashing checks at Walmart is more convenient, banks are more accessible since they are more banks than Walmart stores in a city.
Further, it may be cheaper to cash your check at Walmart, but you’ll be limited to cashing $5000 or $75000 during the tax refund season.
However, there is no limit to the amount you can cash at the bank. Also, Walmart does not accept all kinds of checks.
For example, they do not accept personal or hand-written checks, but banks accept all forms of checks.
Additionally, you can only cash checks at Walmart with a primary and state-issued photo ID, but secondary IDs are allowed in banks when used in pairs.
For example, you can use your school ID paired with your birth certificate to cash a check at the bank. Even a minor with a valid ID can cash a check at the bank under parental supervision.
Summary
Without an ID, you cannot cash a check at Walmart. You’ll need a primary photo ID (state-issued ID inclusive) on hand to cash a check at Walmart.
Besides a photo ID, you’ll also provide your Social Security Number, and you must match the address on the ID.
Still, if you don’t have an ID on hand at a Walmart store, you can sign over your check to someone who has one and have him cash your check for you.
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