13 Places That Offer Cash Advances/Payday Advances

If you don’t have a bank account or you’re not usually free during banking hours, it can be hard to cash checks, pay bills, or check other financial errands off your to-do list. Cash advance companies provide a convenient alternative to banks and credit unions, and since there are several nationwide companies, there’s likely a store near you. Below, we explain more about how cash advance companies work and where to find one in your area.

How Cash Advance Companies Work

Cash advance companies — also known as paycheck advance, payday loan, or check cashing stores — provide a wide range of financial services. These companies are typically open beyond normal banking hours, including evenings and weekends, and will cash checks for a fee.

Additionally, cash advance companies usually offer other services that may include:

• Bill payments
• Money orders and money transfers
• Prepaid debit card sales and loading
• Tax services
• Cash advances/loans, including payday loans, installment loans, and title loans

Payday loans are short-term, interest-charging cash advances that borrow against your paycheck. Typically, they don’t require a credit check. Approval is based on your length of employment and regular income, and generally, you must repay these loans once you receive your next paycheck.

Installment loans are longer-term loans for small amounts, usually no more than $5,000. Approval for an installment loan may require a credit check, though if you have poor credit, you may be able to use collateral like a vehicle or mortgage to secure an installment loan.

Title loans are cash advances against the value of your vehicle. Like payday loans, these types of loans typically don’t require a credit check — your vehicle automatically serves as a collateral guarantee for the loan.

What Do You Need to Cash a Check at a Cash Advance Company?

To cash a check at most cash advance companies, you’ll need a valid, government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID can include:

• Driver’s license, permit, or state-issued non-driver ID
• U.S. passport
• Military or tribal ID
• Permanent resident card (“green card”)

A few check cashing companies require a second form of identification. This can usually be a debit or credit card, a Social Security card, or official mailed correspondence with your name and address on it, such as a utility bill or tax bill. You do not need a bank account to cash checks at a cash advance company.

What Types of Checks Can You Cash at a Cash Advance Company?

Cash advance companies will usually cash most types of checks, including some that banks won’t. Some of the check types you can cash at a cash advance company include:

• Personal checks
• Payroll and government checks
• Insurance checks
• Tax rebate checks
• Third-party checks
• Cashier’s checks
• Money orders
• Business checks
• Handwritten checks

Comparison Table: Cash Advance Companies

You can use the table below for a quick comparison of the check cashing and other financial services offered at various cash advance stores, then click any store or scroll for more details.

National and Regional Cash Advance Companies

The following cash advance companies have either multiple locations in one state or many locations across several states. We’ve researched each company and called customer service representatives to verify information as needed, and we’ve ordered the list starting with the best overall options and those with the widest service area.

ACE Cash Express

• States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
• Types of checks cashed: Business, government, insurance checks, money orders, personal checks, payroll checks, and tax refunds
• Check cashing fees: Vary by store, check type, and amount. You can find fee schedules posted in store lobbies, or call your nearest store for details.
• Other financial services: Payday loans, installment loans, title loans, prepaid cards, bill payments, money orders, money transfers, tax services, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
• Find out more or find an ACE Cash Express

Check Into Cash

• States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
• Types of checks cashed: Cashier’s checks, government checks, handwritten checks, insurance, loans, money orders, payroll, personal checks, tax refunds, and two-party checks
• Check cashing fees: Vary by store, check type, and amount. You can find the fee schedule posted in the store lobby, or call your nearest store for details.
• Other financial services: Payday loans, installment loans, title loans, flex loans, lines of credit, bill payments, money transfers, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
• Find out more or find a Check Into Cash

Check ‘N Go

• States: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin
• Types of checks cashed: Cashier’s checks, government, insurance, money orders, payroll, personal checks, tax refunds, and more
• Check cashing fees: Fees generally start at 1.99% of the total check amount, but rates vary by location and check type. Call your nearest store for details.
• Other financial services: Payday loans, installment loans, cash advances, prepaid cards, and other types of loans
• Typical hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
• Find out more or find a Check ’N Go

Speedy Cash

• States: Arizona, Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nevada, Tennessee, Washington
• Types of checks cashed: Bank drafts, cashier’s checks, government, insurance, money orders, payroll, personal, and tax refund
• Check cashing fees: Fees start at $2
• Other financial services: Payday loans, installment loans, lines of credit, cash advances, title loans, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Some locations are open 24 hours.
• Find out more or find a Speedy Cash

PLS Check Cashing

• States: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin
• Types of checks cashed: Business, government, insurance, out-of-state checks, payroll, personal, and tax refund
• Check cashing fees: Fees start at $1 plus 1% of the total check amount
• Other financial services: Bill payments, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards, insurance services, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: Most locations are open 24 hours.
• Find out more or find a PLS Check Cashing

Community Financial Service Center (CFSC)

• States: California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
• Types of checks cashed: Benefit checks, business, government, insurance, payroll, social security, and tax refunds
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and amount. CFSC posts fee schedules in its store lobbies, or you can call your nearest store for details.
• Other financial services: Prepaid phone services, money orders, money transfers, bill payments, prepaid cards, coin services, ATMs, foreign currency exchange, tax services, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
• Find out more or find a CFSC

United Check Cashing

• States: Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia
• Types of checks cashed: Benefit checks, business, government, insurance, payroll, personal, rebate checks, and tax refunds
• Check cashing fees: Vary by check type and amount as well as location. Call your nearest store for more details.
• Other financial services: Payday loans, money orders, money transfers, bill payments, prepaid cards, notary services, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
• Find out more or find a United Check Cashing

Money Mart

• States: Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington
• Types of checks cashed: Government, insurance, money orders, payroll, personal, and small business
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check amount, and check type. Call your nearest store for details.
• Other financial services: Personal loans, cash advances, money transfers, prepaid cards, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
• Find out more or find a Money Mart

USA Check Cashing Store

• States: California
• Types of checks cashed: Bonus checks, business, cashier’s checks, government, insurance, money orders, payroll, personal, settlement checks, and tax refunds
• Check cashing fees: Vary by check type, check amount, and location. Call your nearest store for details of its fee schedule.
• Other financial services: Payday loans, installment loans, title loans, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards, bill payments, notary services, ATMs, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Find out more or find a USA Check Cashing Store

Pay-O-Matic

• States: New York City only
• Types of checks cashed: Business, government, insurance, lawyers’ checks, payroll, personal, tax refunds, and union checks
• Check cashing fees: About 3% of the total check amount
• Other financial services: Bill payments, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: Many locations are open 24 hours, but operating hours vary by location
• Find out more or find a Pay-O-Matic

Advance Financial

• States: Stores in Tennessee; loans and lines of credit available in Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin
• Types of checks cashed: Cashier’s checks, government checks, insurance checks, money orders, payroll, personal checks, and tax refunds
• Check cashing fees:
  • Government: 1% to 2.99% of the total check amount; minimum fee of $2
  • Payroll: 1% to 2.99% of total check amount; minimum fee of $3
  • Money orders and personal checks: 10% of total check amount; minimum fee of $5
  • All other checks: 1% to 5% of total check amount; minimum fee of $5
• Other financial services: Installment loans, lines of credit, money orders, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: Most locations are open 24 hours
• Find out more or find an Advance Financial

The Check Cashing Store

• States: Florida
• Types of checks cashed: Government, insurance, money orders, payroll, personal, small business, and more
• Check cashing fees: Vary by store, as well as check amount and type. Call your nearest store for its fee schedule.
• Other financial services: Payday loans, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
• Find out more or find The Check Cashing Store

Friendly Check Cashing

• States: North Carolina
• Types of checks cashed: Business, cashier’s, 401(k), government, insurance, money orders, payroll, personal, and tax refund
• Check cashing fees: Vary by store as well as check type, and amount. Call your nearest store for details.
• Other financial services: Loans, money orders, money transfers, bill payments, prepaid cards, etc.
• Typical hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
• Find out more or find a Friendly Check Cashing

In Summary

If you’re willing to pay a fee, cash advance companies can be a convenient way to cash many types of checks, thanks to evening and weekend hours. Many also offer payday loans, title loans, installment loans, and other money services. ACE Cash Express and Check Into Cash both have locations across the country and offer a wide range of financial services; if these stores don’t have locations near you, you can get the services you need at any of the cash advance stores listed above that have locations in your area.