Where you can cash a Chase check without a Chase account

You can cash a Chase check at any Chase branch, at most other banks if you have an account there, at check-cashing services, at some grocery stores and pharmacies, and through mobile deposit if you have any bank account. Chase branches will cash their own checks for free whether you have an account or not. Other banks may charge a fee (usually $5 to $15) to cash a check drawn on a different bank. Check-cashing stores and grocery stores also charge fees, typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.

The fastest option is usually a Chase branch if one is near you, since they can verify the check immediately and hand you cash on the spot. If you have a bank account anywhere else, mobile deposit (photographing the check through your bank's app) takes a few minutes and the funds typically appear within one to two business days. If you need cash the same day and have no bank account, a check-cashing service or grocery store is your next option, though the fee will reduce what you receive.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase branches cash Chase checks for free regardless of whether you have a Chase account.
  • Banks other than Chase charge a fee (usually $5 to $15) to cash a check drawn on Chase, and you must have an account with them.
  • Check-cashing stores and grocery stores charge a percentage of the check amount (typically 1 to 3 percent) and do not require an account.
  • Mobile deposit through any bank account is free and deposits funds within one to two business days, though you won't get cash immediately.
  • Bring a photo ID to any location where you cash a check; some places also require a second form of ID or proof of address.

Cashing at Chase branches

Any Chase branch will cash a Chase check for free. You do not need to be a Chase customer. Walk in during business hours, bring the check and a photo ID, and a teller will verify the check and hand you cash. The teller will ask you to endorse the check (sign the back) if you have not already done so.

Chase branches are open Monday through Friday, with limited Saturday hours at most locations. Some branches close on Sunday. If you need cash outside branch hours, you will have to use another method. You can find your nearest Chase branch and its hours on the Chase website or by calling 1-800-935-9935.

Cashing at other banks

Most banks will cash a check drawn on Chase if you have an account with them, but they will charge you a fee. The fee varies by bank but typically ranges from $5 to $15. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the check amount. A few banks (usually smaller regional banks or credit unions) may refuse to cash checks drawn on other banks entirely, so call ahead if you are unsure.

You will need to bring the check, your account card or ID, and proof that you are the payee (the person the check is written to). The teller will verify the check and the funds in the account it is drawn on. If the check clears, you will receive cash immediately. If the check bounces later, the bank may reverse the transaction and charge you an additional fee.

Check-cashing stores and retail locations

Check-cashing services, grocery stores, and pharmacies will cash checks without requiring an account. Fees are typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that means you might pay $5 to $15. Some locations charge a flat fee instead. The fee is deducted from what you receive, so you walk away with less than the check amount.

Bring the check, a photo ID, and sometimes a second form of ID or proof of address. The cashier will verify the check number, the amount, and your ID. Some locations use electronic verification systems that check the account the check is drawn on in real time. If the account has insufficient funds, the location will refuse to cash the check. Processing usually takes a few minutes.

Mobile deposit through your bank

If you have a bank account at any bank or credit union, you can deposit a Chase check through mobile deposit. Open your bank's app, select "deposit a check," photograph the front and back of the check, and submit it. The app will tell you when the funds are available. Most banks make the funds available within one to two business days.

Mobile deposit is free and you do not have to leave home or wait in line. The downside is that you do not receive cash immediately—the funds go into your account as a deposit. If you need cash the same day, you can withdraw it from an ATM or visit a branch after the deposit is processed, but that takes extra time. Some banks place a hold on mobile deposits for the first 24 hours, meaning you cannot withdraw the full amount until the second day.

What to bring and what to expect

At any location where you cash a check, bring the check itself and a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). Some locations ask for a second form of ID, such as a credit card, or proof of address such as a utility bill or lease. If the check is made out to someone else and you are trying to cash it on their behalf, most locations will refuse unless the payee has endorsed it to you in writing on the back of the check.

The teller or cashier will ask you to endorse the check if you have not already done so—this means signing your name on the back. They will verify that the name on the check matches your ID. If the check is post-dated (dated in the future), most locations will refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If the check is stale-dated (more than six months old), banks are not required to cash it, though some will.

What happens if the check bounces

If you cash a check and the account it is drawn on does not have enough money, the check bounces. The location that cashed it will try to deposit it into their own account and the deposit will be rejected. They will then charge you a fee (usually $10 to $25) and may ask you to repay the check amount. If you used mobile deposit, your bank will reverse the deposit and may charge you a fee as well.

If the check bounces at a check-cashing store or retail location, they may refuse to cash checks for you in the future or report you to a check verification system that other locations subscribe to. If you believe the check bounced because of an error (not because the account holder intended to pass a bad check), contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to reissue it or provide a different payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a Chase check at an ATM?

No. ATMs only dispense cash; they do not cash checks. You can deposit a check at a Chase ATM if you have a Chase account, but you cannot withdraw cash against it immediately. If you need cash the same day, you must visit a branch, use mobile deposit at another bank, or go to a check-cashing service.

Do I need a Chase account to cash a Chase check at a Chase branch?

No. Chase branches cash their own checks for free whether you have an account or not. Bring the check, a photo ID, and endorse the back of the check. The teller will verify it and hand you cash.

What if the check is made out to two people?

If the check says "John Smith and Jane Doe," both people must be present with ID to cash it. If it says "John Smith or Jane Doe," either person can cash it alone. Most locations will not cash a check made out to two people unless both endorse it, even if only one person is present.

How long does mobile deposit take?

Mobile deposit usually takes one to two business days for the funds to become available. Some banks make funds available within a few hours, while others place a 24-hour hold. Check your bank's app or website for the specific timeline. Weekends and holidays may delay the process.

Can I cash a check if I do not have a photo ID?

Most locations will not cash a check without a photo ID. If you do not have one, you can apply for a state ID at your local DMV. Some check-cashing stores may accept other forms of identification, but this is rare. Call ahead to ask what they accept.