Banks that offer free personal checks as part of standard checking accounts

Most large national banks no longer include free checks with a checking account. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all charge for checks, typically $10 to $15 per box of 25. Credit unions and smaller regional banks are more likely to offer them free, but the benefit varies widely by institution and account type.

The shift away from free checks happened gradually over the past 15 years as banks moved customers toward digital payments. If free checks matter to you—because you write checks regularly or prefer paper records—you need to ask directly when opening an account, because banks do not advertise this benefit prominently anymore.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit unions typically include free checks with checking accounts, while most large national banks charge $10 to $15 per box.
  • Some regional banks and online banks offer free checks, but you have to contact them directly to confirm because policies vary by account tier.
  • If a bank does not offer free checks, you can order them from third-party vendors like Costco or Walmart for less than the bank charges.
  • Ask about check pricing before you open an account, because the benefit is not standard and banks do not list it on their main website pages.

Credit unions and free checks

Credit unions are your best bet for free checks. Most credit unions include free personal checks with their standard checking accounts, and many offer them for the life of the account with no per-box charge. This is one of the clearest differences between credit unions and banks—credit unions operate as member-owned cooperatives and typically pass savings back to members through perks like free checks.

The catch is that you have to be a member of the credit union to open an account. Membership is usually tied to your employer, your location, a professional association, or your military service. If you already belong to a credit union through work or family, call their member services line and ask whether checks come free with their basic checking account.

If you do not have credit union access, you can search for one you may be may be able to access to join at CO-OP.org or MyCreditUnion.gov. Some credit unions have opened membership to anyone in a geographic area or anyone who works in a certain industry.

Regional and online banks that include free checks

A handful of smaller banks and online banks still offer free checks, but the list changes and policies vary by account type. Ally Bank includes free checks with its checking account. Charles Schwab Bank offers free checks to account holders. Some regional banks like USAA (for military members and their families) include free checks as well.

The problem is that these banks do not advertise the benefit on their main pages—you have to dig into the account details or call customer service to confirm. A bank's website might list dozens of features but skip over check pricing entirely. Before you open an account, use the bank's contact number or live chat to ask: "Does this checking account come with free personal checks, or do I pay per box?"

Online banks in particular sometimes offer free checks because they have lower overhead than brick-and-mortar branches. But some online banks charge for checks just like traditional banks do, so do not assume.

What to do if your bank charges for checks

If your bank charges for checks and you write them regularly, you have two options: pay the bank's price, or order from a third party.

Third-party check vendors like Costco, Walmart, and Vistaprint often charge less than banks do—sometimes $5 to $8 per box instead of $10 to $15. You order online or in-store, provide your account and routing number, and the checks arrive in the mail. The checks are the same legal product; the bank has no say in where you order them from.

Some banks try to discourage this by claiming third-party checks will not work or will cause problems. That is not true. Your bank must accept checks drawn on your account regardless of where they were printed, as long as they have your correct account and routing number and meet basic security standards.

Account tiers and check pricing

Some banks offer free checks only on premium or higher-tier accounts. For example, a bank might charge for checks on its basic checking account but include them free if you maintain a $5,000 minimum balance or pay a monthly fee for a premium account. This is worth knowing before you choose an account level.

If you are comparing accounts at the same bank, ask specifically: "Which account tiers come with free checks?" The answer might tip the balance toward a premium account if you write checks frequently and would otherwise pay $40 to $60 per year for them.

How to confirm check pricing before opening an account

Do not rely on the bank's website to tell you about check pricing. Most banks bury this information or do not mention it at all. Instead, contact the bank directly using one of these methods:

  • Call the customer service number on the bank's website and ask: "Does this checking account come with free personal checks?"
  • Use the bank's live chat feature and ask the same question in writing so you have a record of the answer.
  • Visit a branch in person and ask before you open the account.
  • Read the account disclosure document, which banks are required to provide—it usually lists fees including check charges, though the language can be dense.

Write down the answer and the date you asked, in case there is a dispute later. Banks do change their policies, and having a record protects you if a representative told you checks were free but the bank later charges you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do banks have to tell me about check charges before I open an account?

Banks must provide a disclosure document that lists all fees, including check charges, but they are not required to highlight it or make it easy to find. The information is there, but you may have to ask for it or dig through the fine print. Calling customer service is faster than reading the disclosure yourself.

Can I order checks from anywhere, or do they have to come from my bank?

You can order checks from any vendor—Costco, Walmart, Vistaprint, or others—as long as they print your correct account and routing number. Your bank cannot refuse to accept checks just because they did not print them. Third-party checks are legal and work exactly the same way.

If I switch banks, do I lose my free checks?

Yes. Free checks are part of the account you open, so if you close that account and move to a different bank, you start over with that bank's check policy. If free checks are important to you, factor that into your decision about which bank to use.

Why did banks stop offering free checks?

Banks stopped offering free checks because fewer people write checks now—most payments happen digitally through apps, debit cards, or online transfers. Checks became a niche product, and banks decided to charge for them instead of including them free. Credit unions kept the benefit because their member-focused model prioritizes perks over profit.

Are there any big banks that still offer free checks?

The major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) all charge for checks now. Your best options are credit unions, smaller regional banks, or online banks like Ally or Charles Schwab. Call ahead to confirm, because policies change and vary by account type.