# Cashing a check without ID? (USA) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756 "2011-01-15T22:23:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756/41 "2011-01-16T21:22:14Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > While I am here, I’ll contribute my $.02 about why it usually takes more than one pay cycle to start receiving your paycheck by direct deposit - I believe the most common reason is that most employers outsource their payroll processing which can cause delays in adding new employees because the employer needs to pass on the info about the new hire to a third party. This is further complicated by the fact that, in order for your money to be credited to your account on payday, the payroll processor would need to electronically notify your bank, via the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, of its commitment to forward the funds to your bank a few days in advance. For example, if you get paid on Fridays, your bank must receive confirmation of the direct deposit via ACH the preceding Tuesday or Wednesday, which means that you probably would need to be in the processors system the previous week, at a minimum. Other, “one time” payments such as tax refunds, Paypal, etc., that also utilize the ACH system can be processed immediately by the payer and received by the payee within 24-48 hours. I realize that I am in a different country, but I assume the mechanics of setting up direct deposit must be at least somewhat similar. Certainly my last three jobs had their direct deposits set up fast enough that my first paycheque was direct deposited. I **think** that was the case for the one before that as well, but it’s too long ago to remember for certain. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756/42 "2011-01-16T22:10:58Z")
> [@robcaro](#): > > Can’t she endorse the check to you and you deposit it to your account? Then you can withdraw the cash and give it to her. She could, except that as I’ve already said, I live 2.5 hours away. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756/43 "2011-01-17T01:19:41Z")
> [@robcaro](#): > > Can’t she endorse the check to you and you deposit it to your account? Then you can withdraw the cash and give it to her. Did you bother reading any of the thread? Or at least the entire OP? ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756/44 "2011-01-17T01:32:54Z")
Around here when someone without ID needs to cash a work check they go to the Mexican stores. They don’t charge more than the liquor stores and they are more willing to take chances. The first time you have to fill out info, take a thumb print and a photo and then after that you just give your name. Good everything is taken care of now! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756/45 "2011-01-17T02:46:26Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > Around here when someone without ID needs to cash a work check they go to the Mexican stores. They don’t charge more than the liquor stores and they are more willing to take chances. The first time you have to fill out info, take a thumb print and a photo and then after that you just give your name. Heh. In a town like she lives in, a “Mexican store” would be ‘the supermarket downtown that sells pickled jalapenos’. 😉 > [@](#): > > Good everything is taken care of now! Yeah, I got an email from Western Union saying that the money had been successfully picked up. I figure it’ll be a couple of weeks before she gets to paying me back. After all, I’m the Mom, and she owes her friends money. I go to the bottom of the list. But that’s OK. I knew kids were expensive before I ever had them! 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cashing-a-check-without-id-usa/567756.md?page=2)