Cashing Canadian Checks at Walmart: Limits, Fees, Hours, and More

Have a Canadian check and don’t know what to do with it? Walmart is well known for offering check cashing services for those seeking late hours, easy access, and no requirement for a bank account. But what about cashing Canadian checks at Walmart? Walmart can only cash them in certain circumstances — keep reading to find out when.

Table of Contents

Does Walmart Cash Canadian Checks?

Cashing Canadian checks at Walmart is do-able, but only if the check is drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. currency. That might happen, for example, if the check is drawn on a US bank that has branches in Canada. Bank of America, Chase, TD Bank, HSBC, and Wells Fargo are the major banks that have branches in both countries.

Walmart’s corporate office told us that, legally, Walmart can only cash Canadian checks that are drawn on an American bank, and in U.S. currency. The check must also meet Walmart’s check cashing guidelines for domestic checks — the check must not handwritten and must be for less than $5,000 ($7,500 during tax season). If your check meets these criteria, just make sure you have a government-issued I.D. and your social security number (you do not need your actual social security card).

This policy, of course, excludes many of you with Canadian checks in hand. If you’re looking for a sure fire way to get your Canadian check cashed, keep reading for more options.

Places in the U.S. That Cash Canadian Checks

Most U.S. banks will allow you to deposit Canadian checks; however, the convenience will cost you high fees and long holding times. If you’re looking for a smoother process, American banks with Canadian branches (or Canadian banks with U.S. branches) are your best bet.

The following banks have branches in Canada, which means if you deposit your check at one of these, your fees will be lower and your hold times shorter. Read more about their restrictions, fees, etc., in our article How to Cash or Deposit Canadian Checks in US Banks.

Bank of America
Chase
HSBC Bank USA
TD Bank
Wells Fargo

Places in the U.S. That Don’t Cash Canadian Checks

Stores in the U.S. generally don’t have the ability to cash Canadian checks. Thus, you will not be able to cash a Canadian check at the following locations:

Check cashing stores
Gas stations
Grocery stores
Pharmacies

In Summary

Cashing Canadian checks at Walmart, or anywhere in the U.S., can be tricky but where there’s a will, there’s a way! You can cash your Canadian check at Walmart if it is drawn on a U.S. bank account, in U.S. currency, and not handwritten. If your check doesn’t meet these requirements, there are several U.S. banks that can still cash your Canadian check for you. You’ll have to either head to Walmart or a bank though; check cashing stores, gas stations, and grocery stores in the U.S. usually can’t cash Canadian checks.