Where can i cash a state check

Receive an American check? You can cash your check in the following ways:

Cashing the check at your own bank

You may be able to cash your American check at your own local bank. A charge will be made for processing the check.

In some countries, such as the Netherlands, it is regrettably no longer possible to cash checks since 1 January 2021. Despite several requests made by Americans Overseas, the Dutch banks unfortunately do not want to resume this service.

Transfer to another person (endorsement)

You can endorse a check and send it to a friend/family member who has an American bank account, so they can cash the check for you at their bank. You send your check to your friend/relative. Your friend/relative will then wire the amount to your account.

Make sure you trust this relationship. Have your friend contact their US bank in advance to find out if endorsement is possible and what the bank’s procedure is.

Cashing the check using online US Tax Service

Recently we understood that the $1800 check can also be paid out via https://ustaxcollect.com. After deduction of a fee and transaction costs, the result was approximately €1600 on the person’s own account. This route takes about 2 months. Please note: this is very new information that we have not yet been able to confirm from other clients.

Cashing the check in another bank

If you live in a country where checks cannot be cashed, you may be able to open an account in a neighboring country.

For example, many Dutch people have the possibility of opening an account just across the border and then cashing American checks. Until recently, it was also possible to cash the checks at any branch of the Reise Bank in Germany, upon presentation of a valid ID. Since 12/22/2021, checks over $1500 are unfortunately refused there too.

In addition, the following banks accept US checks in Europe (always check with the bank in advance as this information can change):

• Lloyd’s Bank (UK)
• Bank of Scotland (UK)
• NatWest (UK)
• Barclays (UK)
• HSBC (International)
• DKB (German online bank)
• Sparda Bank (Germany)
• Sparkassen (Germany)
• UBS (Switzerland)
• Credit Suisse (Switzerland)
• Crédit Agricole (France)

You may need to open a bank account to cash your Stimulus check.

Another possibility is to open a US bank account, for example with the SDFCU (State Department Federal Credit Union). After opening the account, you can send your check and have it paid into your account number. Ask the bank about the procedure and costs.

Please note: if you open a new account at a bank outside America, you may need to declare it in your FBAR.

Having payments made through your US bank account (only for stimulus checks)

You open a US bank account (or you already have a US bank account), for example with the SDFCU  (State Department Federal Credit Union) or with  Wise. Both are accepted by the IRS for electronic payments. You then provide the bank account details to the IRS on your US tax return.

You return the received check(s) to the IRS according to the procedure described below, with an accompanying letter stating that you cannot cash the checks in your country and that you will still claim the amounts as a refund (rebate credit) on your tax return.

You then claim your COVID-19 support in your US tax return and the IRS will deposit your refund into your US bank account. You can claim the first and second COVID-19 support payments in the tax return for tax year 2020; it is expected that the third payment can be claimed in the tax return for 2021.

Procedure for returning a check to the IRS:

Have you discovered another way?

We at Americans Overseas have done our best to share above the most reliable ways to cash a US check.

If you have found another way, please let us know so we can add it and help other people.

Contact us for more information

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.

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.

Where can you cash a government check?

Can you cash out of state checks?

Can I cash a check at Walmart?

Can you cash a check for cash anywhere?