Short Answer

You can pay with a personal check or a business check at Publix. Just be sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. And, keep in mind, Publix does not accept starter checks. For more on the Publix check policy, see below.

Does Publix Take Checks?

Publix accepts personal checks and business checks as a form of payment when accompanied by a valid government-issued photo ID, a corporate customer service representative said. Publix does not, however, accept starter checks. There is no limit associated with writing a check at Publix — and, you can even get cash back when you pay with a check at Publix (as previously reported).

We contacted Publix grocery stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to confirm this information; all the stores we contacted said they take checks with proper ID.

You can also cash personal checks and payroll checks at Publix. For more details, see our article.

Using a Business Check at Publix

Authorized signers on business accounts can use business checks at Publix. If you are not an authorized signer, you can bring a business check that has already been signed along with a note on business letterhead from the signer saying you are authorized to use the check. If the business has tax-exempt status, you’ll need to provide your completed sales tax exemption form with your tax ID number.

Check Verification at Publix

Publix uses Certegy, a third-party check verification service, to verify checks. If your check does not pass Certegy’s verification, Publix will decline your payment and you will need to use a different payment method. For the list of stores that don’t use Certegy, see our related article.

Other Payment Methods Accepted at Publix

In addition to checks, Publix accepts:

  • Cash
  • Debit and credit cards
  • WIC
  • SNAP/EBT/food stamps

If you’re not absolutely set on Publix, you may want to see our article that lists the stores that accept personal checks.


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