I'm 16 years old, live in the US and I've received a check. How would I go about cashing this check without parental consent? I've been to two banks so far and all of them require a guardian to sign for you to open an account.

Why not just get your parent to open an account?

To cash a check, you need collateral to put up against the check (so if the check is fake or w/e, they take the same amount from you.)

The only way you can put up collateral is to have an account at that bank.

What is your problem with getting a parent to open an account?

Well, is it a check made out to you? Like if you cashed it would legal problems be coming your way?

All of the banks that I've ever been to seem to abide by that rule. You need to have an account there or you need to go with your parents who have an account and have them cash it.

I tend to just go to a check cashing place, as they're usually closer than the bank to my house. A tiny fee, but it's in and out.

Bank of America has a program that you can get a checking account when you're either 15 or 16. You need to have $25 I think to open the account, as well as a parent there. I may be wrong about the parent being there, but you can look into it.


Being 16 sucks bro. Not to rub it in or anything, but it's the truth. It's good because you can get in a lot less trouble for shit you do, but there's a few more privileges you get with turning 18.

Anyhoo, any more info you can give on the situation you're in? It would help to give you an answer to your problem.

They wont thats the problem. The check isn't fake but my parents don't want me to have a job. Lucky they are to busy to notice when I'm gone but I didn't think then about how I would cash (or even deposit if I could) the checks.

Grocery store. Costs like a dollar.

You're gonna prob need an i.d. too

Like a Starter Bothers or Albertsons? I don't know what kind you have in Florida. I live in California maybe I'll go give that a try. Thanks.

It all depends on whether or not it's a payroll check. If it's a payroll check any service counter at any grocery store will cash it practically for a small fee. If it's a personal check, you find a friend that has a bank account and you can sign the check over to them and they can cash it. I don't know exactly how to do it but I've done it before, just ask the teller.

Yes its a payroll check. Well thanks for the help I think I'll try next time I can get down to my grocery store and if that doesn't work out I'll just have to find a friend to do it. Thanks.

If you can go to the bank it was drawn on, and you have proper ID, you can cash it there for free.

wachovia let you open an accout at 16. look online for banks that let you open an account before you turn 18 if they don't have wachovias where you are.