A variety of circumstances can lead a traveler to try to cash a check out-of-state. If an ATM's magnetic strip is demagnetized or the card is stolen, a traveler may need to write a check to cash or perhaps cash a check he already has with him. Another possibility is the need to cash checks in the midst of a move. Whatever the reason, a variety of ways exist to cash an out-of-state check, but most of them are not free.

Call your bank and ask if your out-of-state account counts as an in-state account in the bank's local branches, if there is one. If you have an account in a regional or national bank with branches in your current location, you may be able to cash checks there normally.

Open an account at a local bank. If a local bank offers low-balance or no-balance checking accounts, and you are making a lengthy stay, this might be the cheapest and simplest solution. Withdraw whatever money you deposited and close the account when you depart.

Proceed to a local Wal-Mart. This big-box chain has a check cashing service based on a flat-fee system, making it a reasonably priced option for anything but the smallest of checks.

Call a local branch of the bank that issued the check, assuming the check is not yours and such a local branch exists, and ask if it will cash the check. Many regional and national banks perform this service, but at a flat fee that is often higher than Wal-Mart's.

Visit a local check cashing service, such as Moneygram (moneygram.com) and Ace Cash Express (acecashexpress.com). These services charge a percentage fee rather than a flat fee, making them a better choice than Wal-Mart only for checks made out for small amounts.