You can cash a cheque at the bank that issued it, at a cheque-cashing service, or sometimes at the store where you shop
If you don't have a bank account, you have three main routes to turn a cheque into cash. The fastest and cheapest is usually the bank that issued the cheque — the one printed on the front. Most banks will cash their own cheques for non-customers at the teller window, though some charge a fee (usually $5 to $15) and a few require the person named on the cheque to be present. The second option is a dedicated cheque-cashing service, which takes a percentage of the cheque amount (typically 1 to 3 percent) but doesn't require you to have any relationship with a bank. The third is a retail store — some grocery chains and big-box retailers cash cheques for customers, though they usually charge a flat fee and may have limits on the cheque amount.
The method you choose depends on the cheque amount, how quickly you need the money, and what fees you can afford. A $100 cheque cashed at a bank costs nothing if it's their own cheque; the same cheque at a dedicated service might cost $2 to $3. A $2,000 cheque at a service could cost $20 to $60. Knowing where to go before you arrive saves time and money.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the cheque (printed on the front) will usually cash it for free or a small fee, even if you don't have an account there.
- Cheque-cashing services charge a percentage of the cheque amount, typically 1 to 3 percent, and don't require a bank account or relationship with any financial institution.
- Some grocery stores and retailers cash cheques for a flat fee, but limits on cheque amount and hours of operation vary by location.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID to any cheque-cashing location; some may also ask for a second form of ID or proof of address.
- Cheques can take several business days to clear even after you cash them, so the money may not be available immediately if you deposit it elsewhere.
Cashing a cheque at the bank that issued it
The issuing bank is the one whose name and routing number appear on the cheque. Call ahead or visit in person to confirm they cash cheques for non-customers. Most major banks do, but policies vary. Some will cash their own cheques free; others charge $5 to $15. A few require the payee (the person the cheque is written to) to be present with ID.
Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card. Some banks ask for a second form of ID or proof of address. The teller will verify the cheque is genuine, check that the amount and payee name match your ID, and hand you cash. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. There is no waiting period; you get the money immediately.
This route works best for cheques under $5,000 and when you have time to visit a branch during business hours. If the cheque is written to a business or a name that doesn't match your ID exactly, the bank may refuse to cash it or ask for additional documentation.
Using a dedicated cheque-cashing service
Cheque-cashing stores are independent businesses that convert cheques to cash for a fee. They don't require a bank account, a credit check, or any prior relationship. The fee is usually a percentage of the cheque amount — typically 1 to 3 percent — though some charge a flat fee instead. A $500 cheque at 2 percent costs $10; a $2,000 cheque costs $40.
Bring your government-issued photo ID and the cheque. The service will verify the cheque is genuine (by calling the issuing bank or checking electronically), confirm the payee name matches your ID, and give you cash on the spot. The process takes 10 to 20 minutes. You get the full amount minus the fee immediately; there is no waiting period.
Cheque-cashing services are most useful when the issuing bank is far away, when you need cash outside normal banking hours, or when the bank charges more than the service does. Compare fees before you go — a bank might charge $15 to cash a cheque, while a service charges 2 percent ($10 on a $500 cheque). Fees vary by location and by cheque amount, so it's worth calling two or three services in your area.
Cashing a cheque at a retail store
Some grocery chains, pharmacies, and big-box retailers offer cheque-cashing as a service to customers. Walmart, Costco, and many supermarkets participate, though not every location does. Fees are usually flat amounts ($2 to $5) rather than percentages, and there are often limits on cheque size — many stores won't cash cheques over $1,500 or $2,000.
Bring your government-issued photo ID and the cheque. The store will verify the cheque and the payee name, then give you cash. The process is quick — usually 5 to 10 minutes — and you get the money immediately. This option works well for small cheques and when you're already shopping, but it's not reliable for large amounts or for cheques written to businesses.
Call the store ahead of time to confirm they cash cheques, what the fee is, and what the maximum cheque amount is. Hours and policies change, and not all locations of the same chain offer the service.
What to bring and what to expect
Every cheque-cashing location requires a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, provincial ID card, or in some cases a work ID with a photo. Some locations ask for a second form of ID — a utility bill, lease, or credit card — to verify your address. Bring the cheque itself and any other documents the location requests.
The cheque must be made out to you (the payee name must match your ID), must not be post-dated (written for a future date), and must not be stale-dated (more than six months old, though this varies by province). If the cheque is written to you and another person, both of you usually need to be present. If it's written to a business, you'll need proof that you're authorized to cash it on behalf of the business.
The person who wrote the cheque (the payer) must have sufficient funds in their account, or the cheque will bounce. If you cash a cheque that bounces, the cashing location may charge you a fee and ask you to return the cash. This is rare but possible, especially with large cheques or cheques from unfamiliar sources.
Fees and how they compare
| Method | Fee structure | Typical cost on $500 cheque | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank (non-customer) | Flat fee or free | $0–$15 | Immediate |
| Cheque-cashing service | 1–3% of cheque amount | $5–$15 | Immediate |
| Retail store | Flat fee ($2–$5) | $2–$5 | Immediate |
The cheapest option depends on the cheque amount and which banks and services are near you. For a $500 cheque, a retail store at $3 is usually cheapest. For a $2,000 cheque, a retail store at $5 is still cheaper than a service at 2 percent ($40), but the issuing bank might be free or close to it. Always call ahead to confirm the fee before you cash the cheque.
Large cheques ($5,000 and above) are sometimes worth taking to the issuing bank even if it's farther away, because the flat fee stays the same while a percentage-based service fee grows with the amount. A $10,000 cheque at 2 percent costs $200, while a bank fee is typically $10 to $20.
What happens if you deposit a cashed cheque elsewhere
Once you cash a cheque, it's converted to cash and the transaction is complete. You own the money outright. If you then deposit that cash into a bank account, savings account, or mobile wallet, the deposit itself is immediate — the money appears in your account right away. There is no additional clearing period for cash deposits.
However, if you deposit the cheque itself (without cashing it first) into an account, the bank will place a hold on the funds while the cheque clears. This usually takes 1 to 3 business days for cheques drawn on Canadian banks, though it can take longer for cheques from other countries or from smaller institutions. Cashing the cheque first avoids this hold entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a cheque that's post-dated or more than six months old?
A post-dated cheque (written for a future date) cannot be cashed until that date arrives; most locations will refuse it. A stale-dated cheque (more than six months old) is technically not valid, though some banks and services may still cash it if the payer's account has funds. Call ahead to ask — don't assume.
What if the cheque is written to two people?
If the cheque says "John Smith and Jane Doe," both people usually need to be present with ID to cash it. If it says "John Smith or Jane Doe," either person can cash it alone. Ask the cashing location which rule applies before you go.
Can I cash a cheque if I don't have a photo ID?
No. Every cheque-cashing location requires a government-issued photo ID. If you don't have one, you'll need to obtain a provincial ID card or passport first. This can take weeks, so plan ahead if you're expecting cheques.
What if the cheque bounces after I cash it?
If the payer's account doesn't have enough money, the cheque bounces. The cashing location may charge you a fee (usually $10 to $25) and ask you to return the cash. This is rare but possible. If you can't return the money, the location may pursue collection or report it to a collection agency.
Is it cheaper to cash a cheque or deposit it into a temporary bank account?
Depositing into a temporary account (if you can open one) avoids cheque-cashing fees but takes 1 to 3 business days for the cheque to clear. If you need cash immediately, cashing is faster. If you can wait, a temporary account may be cheaper, especially for large cheques. Compare the fee against the time cost.