No, you cannot cash a check at any bank
Most banks will only cash a check if you have an account with them. Some banks will cash checks for non-customers, but they charge a fee — usually $5 to $15 — and they may refuse if the check is large or drawn on a bank far away. A few banks have no non-customer check-cashing policy at all. Your best option depends on where the check is from and whether you have an account anywhere.
The bank that issued the check — the one printed on the front — will almost always cash it for free, even if you do not have an account there. This is called the drawee bank. If you have a check from Chase, go to any Chase branch. If it is from a credit union, go to that credit union. You will need a photo ID and the check itself.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check (printed on the front) will cash it for free without an account, as long as you show a photo ID.
- Your own bank will cash checks from any source for free if you are a customer, and deposit them to your account if you prefer.
- Other banks charge $5 to $15 to cash a check from a different bank, and some refuse non-customers entirely.
- Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing services offer alternatives if you cannot reach the issuing bank or do not have an account.
Cashing a check at the bank that issued it
The drawee bank — the one whose name and routing number appear on the check — is legally responsible for honoring the check if the account holder has enough money. They cannot refuse to cash it just because you are not a customer. Walk into any branch with your photo ID and the check, and ask to cash it. The teller will verify the account has funds and hand you cash.
This works even if the check is old, as long as it is within six months of the date written on it. Some banks may ask questions if the check is very large or if you are cashing multiple checks at once, but they cannot legally refuse based on your account status. If the branch is far away, you can also deposit the check at an ATM or through mobile deposit if the issuing bank offers it, though that requires an account somewhere.
Cashing a check at your own bank
If you have an account at a bank, that bank will cash checks from any source for free. You do not need to know which bank issued the check. Bring the check and your debit card or ID, and the teller will cash it or deposit it to your account. Most customers choose to deposit rather than take cash, since it is faster and safer.
If you use mobile deposit or an ATM, you can deposit checks without visiting a branch. Mobile deposit is usually available through your bank's app — you photograph the front and back of the check and submit it. The funds typically appear in your account within one business day, though some banks hold checks for longer if the amount is large or the account is new.
Cashing a check at a bank where you have no account
Banks that cash checks for non-customers charge a fee, usually $5 to $15 depending on the check amount. Some large banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo have policies allowing this; others refuse non-customers entirely. Call the branch before you go, or ask the teller when you arrive. If they refuse, they must tell you so at the counter.
The fee applies even if the check is from a different branch of the same bank. For example, if you have a check from Chase but no Chase account, a Chase branch may charge you $5 to $10 to cash it. This is why going to the issuing bank (if you can) or depositing at your own bank is almost always cheaper.
Cashing a check without a bank account
If you do not have a bank account, your options are the issuing bank (free), a check-cashing service (fee of 1 to 3 percent of the check amount), or a retailer. Walmart cashes checks at customer service for a flat fee of $3 to $6 depending on the check type. Grocery stores like Kroger and Safeway also cash checks, usually for $2 to $5. These fees are lower than many banks charge non-customers.
Check-cashing services are storefront businesses that cash checks, payday loans, and money orders. They charge a percentage of the check amount rather than a flat fee, so a $500 check might cost $10 to $15 to cash. They are convenient if you live near one, but the percentage fee adds up on large checks. Always ask the fee before you hand over the check.
What to do if the check is from a small or online bank
If the check is from a small bank or an online-only bank, the issuing bank may have few or no physical branches. In that case, you cannot walk in and cash it for free. Your options are to deposit it at your own bank (if you have one), use the issuing bank's mobile deposit or ATM if available, or pay a fee at a check-cashing service or retailer.
Some online banks like Chime and Ally do not issue paper checks at all, so if you receive one, it is likely from a partner bank or a third party. Call the number on the check or visit the bank's website to find the nearest branch. If there is none nearby, depositing at your own bank is usually the fastest option.
What happens if the check bounces
If you cash a check and the account does not have enough money, the check bounces. The bank will return it unpaid, and you are responsible for returning the cash or the bank will charge you a fee (usually $15 to $35). The person who wrote the check may also face overdraft fees from their own bank.
If you deposited the check instead of cashing it, the bank will remove the funds from your account once the check bounces. If you already spent the money, your account will go negative and you will owe the bank the overdraft fee. This is why some banks hold large checks for several business days — they are waiting to confirm the funds are real before releasing them to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a different bank than the one it is from?
Yes, but you will pay a fee ($5 to $15) unless you have an account at that bank. The issuing bank will cash it for free. If you have your own bank account anywhere, deposit it there for free instead.
Do I need an account to cash a check at the bank that issued it?
No. The issuing bank must cash checks for non-customers with a photo ID. This is a legal requirement. They cannot charge you a fee for this service.
How long does it take to cash a check?
At a teller window, cashing takes a few minutes. Depositing through mobile or ATM takes seconds, but the funds appear in your account within one business day (sometimes longer for large checks). Checks from small or distant banks may take two to three business days to clear.
What if I lose the check before I cash it?
Contact the person who wrote it and ask them to stop payment on the original check and issue a new one. The bank that issued the check can put a stop-payment order on it, which costs $25 to $35. Once stopped, the check cannot be cashed by anyone.
Can I cash a check written to someone else?
No. A check is a legal document made out to a specific person. If it is written to someone else, they must cash it or deposit it themselves, or sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" (called a third-party endorsement). Many banks refuse third-party checks because of fraud risk.