Can You Cash a Check With a Social Security Card? ID Rules Explained

Sonya Bateman headshot Sonya Bateman
Verified & Updated Feb 6, 2019

If you’ve lost your ID or had it stolen, you may be wondering what else you can use to cash a check. In this article, we’ll look at whether you can cash a check with a Social Security card and tell you exactly which types of ID you may need at various places in order to cash a check.

Can You Cash a Check With a Social Security Card?

A Social Security card isn’t a valid form of ID for check cashing. While many grocery stores, check cashing stores, and other check cashing locations may require a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) in order to cash a check, they always require a form of photo ID as well. This is because Social Security cards can easily be stolen and are easy targets for identity theft, as they have no photo included.

The only exception may be certain check cashing stores that have very lenient rules. However, even these stores will require you to verify your identity through multiple means and provide photo identification of some sort.

Which Forms of Identification Are Accepted for Check Cashing?

In most cases, you’ll be required to provide a current, valid government-issued photo identification in order to cash a check. Accepted forms of this type of ID include:

  • Driver’s license or photo learner’s permit
  • State‐issued non-driver ID
  • Military ID
  • Permanent resident or resident alien card (green card)
  • Matricula consular ID
  • U.S.-issued passport
  • Tribal ID

As a general rule, the only time you would use a non-government issued ID is if the business where you’re cashing a check requires that you show TWO forms of ID. In that case, the first ID must be a government-issued photo ID, but the second usually just needs to have your name and maybe other corroborating personal information. Other forms of ID that may be accepted as second IDs include:

  • Photo IDs from employers or schools
  • A credit or debit card with your name on it
  • An official piece of mail with your name and current address, like a utility bill
  • A Social Security card, birth certificate, or other identifying government document that does not have a photo of you

ID Requirements for Cashing Checks

Banks

Banks usually have different ID requirements for account holders and non-customers. If you have a bank account, your bank won’t typically require that you show ID in order to cash checks — you’ll probably just need your account number. However, if you’re a non-customer, you’ll likely need to show a government-issued photo ID and you may have to pay a check cashing fee.

Here’s the list of major banks and their ID requirements for cashing checks if you’re a non-customer.

Bank of America

BB&T Bank

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees for non-customers: For checks drawn on BB&T Bank: free up to $50; $8 for checks over $50. Non-customers cannot cash checks that weren’t issued by BB&T.
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest BB&T Bank

Chase Bank

Citibank

Fifth Third Bank

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Two forms of ID, including one current government-issued photo ID. Acceptable second forms include debit card, credit card, and utility bill.
  • Check cashing fees for non-customers: 1% of the total check amount; maximum $4 fee
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest Fifth Third Bank

HSBC

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees for non-customers: Free for HSBC personal checks. For all other checks, $3 for up to $100; $5 for checks over $100
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest HSBC

KeyBank

M&T Bank

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees for non-customers: 3% of the total check amount; minimum $3 fee
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest M&T Bank

PNC Bank

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees for non-customers: Free for checks drawn on PNC Bank. Non-customers cannot cash checks that weren’t issued by PNC.
  • Source: PNC Bank Fee Schedule
  • Find your nearest PNC Bank

Regions Bank

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Free Regions Now card required for cashing checks. To get a Regions Now card, you’ll need a current government-issued photo ID, valid Social Security number and email address, and a funding source (either a debit card, credit card, or checking account). Apply for the Regions Now card.
  • Check cashing fees for non-customers: 1%-5% of the total check amount, depending on the type of check being cashed
  • Source: Regions Now Banking Check Cashing page
  • Find your nearest Regions Bank

SunTrust Bank

TD Bank

Wells Fargo

Check Cashing Companies

Here’s the list of major check cashing stores, along with their ID requirements for cashing checks.

ACE Cash Express

Check Into Cash

Check ’N Go

  • ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees: Starting at 1.99% of the check amount
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest Check ’N Go

Community Financial Service Center

Money Mart

  • ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest Money Mart

Mr. Payroll

  • ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
  • Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
  • Source: Customer service
  • Find your nearest Mr. Payroll

PLS Check Cashing

Speedy Cash

United Check Cashing

Grocery Stores

If you’d like to cash your check at a grocery store, the following list will help you determine what type of ID you’ll need in order to cash checks at these locations.

Albertsons

Food Lion

Hannaford

  • ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID. You must apply for check cashing privileges at any Hannaford location, and approval takes around five business days to process.
  • Check cashing fees: Vary by location
  • Source: Hannaford Check Cashing
  • Find your nearest Hannaford

Hy-Vee

Kmart

Kroger

Note: The Kroger family of stores includes Baker’s, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food, King Soopers, Ralphs, and Smith’s. Check cashing rules are the same at all of these stores but if you need to find out specifics, select any one of those hyperlinks to go to a page where we’ve written about that store in great detail.

Publix

Safeway

Shaw’s

Walmart

Winn-Dixie

In Summary

Can you cash a check with a Social Security card? No. You may need to provide your Social Security number to cash a check, but you won’t be able to cash a check with a Social Security card alone. You’ll typically need a valid, government-issued photo ID to cash checks at most places, although there are some alternate forms of photo ID that may be accepted with a second form of ID. If you’re not sure what you may need, it’s a good idea to contact the specific location you’d like to cash your check ahead of time to find out more about their specific identification requirements.

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