You can cash a cheque without a bank account, but your options are limited and most carry a fee
A cheque is a written instruction to a bank to pay money from someone else's account to you. If you don't have a bank account, the bank that issued the cheque (the payer's bank) will still cash it for you in person, but you'll need to prove who you are. Alternatively, you can use a cheque-cashing service, a money mart, or ask the person who wrote the cheque to cash it themselves and give you the money instead. Each route has different costs, wait times, and requirements.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for you without an account if you show a valid ID, though some branches may refuse if the cheque is large or you're not a customer.
- Cheque-cashing services and money marts charge a percentage of the cheque amount (typically 1 to 5 percent) and are faster than banks but more expensive.
- Retail stores like Walmart and grocery chains cash cheques for customers, usually for a flat fee of $3 to $10, and are often the cheapest option.
- The payer can withdraw cash from their own account and hand it to you directly, which costs nothing but requires trust and coordination.
- Wait times range from minutes at a money mart to several business days if the cheque is deposited into someone else's account on your behalf.
Cashing a cheque at the payer's bank
The bank that issued the cheque (printed on the front) will cash it for you without charging a fee, as long as the account has enough money and the cheque is valid. Walk into any branch of that bank with the cheque and a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card. The teller will verify the cheque, check the account balance, and give you cash on the spot.
This method is free and the fastest if the branch is near you. However, some banks will refuse to cash a cheque for a non-customer if the amount is very large (over $1,000 or $2,000, depending on the bank's policy) or if they suspect fraud. If the cheque is post-dated (dated in the future), the bank will not cash it until that date arrives. If the cheque is stale-dated (more than six months old), the bank may refuse it.
Call the bank's customer service number on the back of the cheque before you go, or ask at the branch, to confirm they will cash it for you. Some branches are busier than others and may have longer wait times.
Using a cheque-cashing service or money mart
Cheque-cashing businesses and money marts (also called payday loan stores) will cash a cheque for you on the same day, usually within minutes. They charge a fee based on the cheque amount, typically 1 to 5 percent. On a $500 cheque, that could be $5 to $25. The exact fee depends on the business and the cheque amount.
You'll need to show a photo ID and sometimes a second form of ID (like a utility bill or bank statement with your address). The business will verify the cheque details and run a quick check to make sure the account is real. If everything looks good, they hand you cash immediately.
The downside is the cost. If you cash cheques regularly, these fees add up quickly. Also, not all cheques are accepted—post-dated or stale-dated cheques may be refused, and some businesses won't cash cheques over a certain amount without additional verification.
Cashing a cheque at a retail store
Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers like Walmart offer cheque-cashing services for customers. The fee is usually a flat amount ($3 to $10) rather than a percentage, which makes this option cheaper than a dedicated cheque-cashing service for most cheques. You'll need a photo ID and sometimes a store loyalty card or membership.
The process is quick—usually a few minutes—and you get cash immediately. However, not all stores offer this service, and some have limits on the cheque amount they'll cash (often $1,500 to $2,500). Call ahead to confirm the store near you cashes cheques and what their fee is.
Asking the payer to cash it themselves
If the person who wrote the cheque is willing, they can withdraw cash from their own account and give it to you directly. This costs nothing and avoids the need for you to deal with banks or cheque-cashing services. The downside is that it requires coordination and trust—the payer has to be available and willing to do it, and you have to be comfortable asking.
This option works best for cheques from friends, family, or people you know well. For cheques from employers or businesses, asking them to pay you in cash instead may not be practical.
Depositing the cheque into someone else's account
If you know someone with a bank account, you can ask them to deposit the cheque into their account and then withdraw cash to give to you. This is free and avoids cheque-cashing fees, but it requires trust and takes longer—the cheque typically takes 1 to 3 business days to clear after deposit.
The person depositing the cheque should be aware that they are responsible for the cheque if it bounces (if there isn't enough money in the payer's account). Some banks also have rules about depositing cheques for other people, so your friend should check with their bank first.
What happens if the cheque bounces
A bounced cheque means the payer's account didn't have enough money to cover it when the bank tried to process it. If you cash a cheque and it bounces, the bank or cheque-cashing service will take the money back from you. You'll be out the cash you received, and you may also be charged a fee ($15 to $45, depending on the business).
If the cheque was cashed at the payer's bank, the bank will contact you to return the money. If it was cashed at a cheque-cashing service, that business will pursue you for repayment. The best protection is to wait a few days after cashing a cheque before spending the money, or to ask the payer to confirm the funds are in their account before you cash it.
Comparing your options by cost and speed
| Method | Cost | Speed | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payer's bank | Free | Minutes | Photo ID, cheque |
| Cheque-cashing service | 1–5% of cheque amount | Minutes | Photo ID, sometimes second ID |
| Retail store | $3–$10 flat fee | Minutes | Photo ID, sometimes store card |
| Payer withdraws cash | Free | Depends on payer | Agreement with payer |
| Friend deposits and withdraws | Free | 1–3 business days | Friend with bank account |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bank refuse to cash a cheque if I'm not a customer?
Yes. Banks are not required to cash cheques for non-customers, especially if the amount is large or they suspect fraud. Some banks have policies against it entirely. Your best bet is to call ahead and ask, or try the payer's bank first since they have the account and are more likely to cash it.
What if the cheque is post-dated or very old?
Post-dated cheques (dated in the future) cannot be cashed until that date. Stale-dated cheques (more than six months old) may be refused by banks and cheque-cashing services. If your cheque is post-dated, wait until the date on the cheque. If it's stale, contact the payer and ask for a new cheque.
Do I need ID to cash a cheque?
Yes. All banks and cheque-cashing services require a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or passport. Some also ask for a second form of ID with your address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement. Bring both if you have them.
What's the cheapest way to cash a cheque without a bank account?
The payer's bank is free if they'll cash it for you. If not, a retail store like Walmart or a grocery store is usually cheapest at $3 to $10 flat fee. Cheque-cashing services are more expensive at 1 to 5 percent of the cheque amount, so they're only worth it if you need the money immediately and no other option is available.
Can I cash a cheque if the name on it doesn't match my ID exactly?
Probably not. The cheque must be made out to you, and your ID must match the name on the cheque. If your name has changed (marriage, legal name change) or there's a spelling difference, bring documentation of the change or ask the payer to write a new cheque with the correct name.