You can cash a cheque at the bank that issued it, at a cheque-cashing service, or through the person who wrote it

If you don't have a bank account, you have three main routes to turn a cheque into cash. The issuing bank will cash it for free if you bring the cheque and a government-issued ID. A cheque-cashing service will do it for a fee (usually 1 to 3 percent of the cheque amount, though this varies widely). Or you can ask the person who wrote the cheque to cancel it and give you cash instead. Each option has different costs, speed, and requirements.

The fastest and cheapest option is almost always the issuing bank—the bank name printed on the cheque itself. They must cash their own cheques for non-customers, and they do it on the spot. Cheque-cashing services are convenient if the bank is far away or closed, but you'll pay for that convenience. Asking for cash directly only works if you know the person and they're willing to help.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for free at any of their branches if you show a government-issued ID.
  • Cheque-cashing services charge a percentage fee (typically 1 to 3 percent) and are faster than banks if you're in a hurry, but cost more.
  • You need the original cheque and a valid ID—driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card—for any cashing method.
  • Some cheques have restrictions printed on them (like "not negotiable") that prevent cashing at places other than the issuing bank.
  • If a cheque is post-dated (dated in the future), no one is required to cash it until that date arrives.

Cashing a cheque at the issuing bank for free

Walk into any branch of the bank whose name is printed on the cheque. Bring the cheque and a government-issued ID—a driver's license, passport, provincial ID card, or similar document with your photo and signature. Tell the teller you want to cash the cheque. They will verify the cheque is genuine, check that the account has funds, and give you cash on the spot. This takes 5 to 10 minutes and costs nothing.

You don't need to have an account at that bank. Banks are required by law to cash their own cheques for non-customers. However, some branches may refuse if the cheque is very large (over $10,000 in some cases) or if they suspect fraud. If that happens, ask to speak to a manager or try a different branch of the same bank.

If the cheque is post-dated (the date is in the future), the bank will refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If the cheque is stale-dated (more than six months old), the bank may refuse it. Check the date on the cheque before you go.

Using a cheque-cashing service or retailer

Cheque-cashing businesses are storefronts that cash cheques for a fee. You'll find them in most towns and cities—search online for "cheque cashing near me" or look for signs in strip malls or downtown areas. Bring the cheque and a government-issued ID. The service will verify the cheque, take a percentage of the amount (usually 1 to 3 percent, but this varies by location and cheque size), and give you the rest in cash. The whole process takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Some retailers—grocery stores, pharmacies, and payday loan shops—also cash cheques as a side service. Their fees are often similar to dedicated cheque-cashing services, though some grocery stores cash cheques for free if you're a customer or if you buy something. Call ahead to ask about their fee and whether they have the funds on hand, especially for large cheques.

The downside is cost. A $500 cheque cashed at 2 percent costs you $10. Over time, if you cash cheques regularly, this adds up. The upside is speed and convenience—cheque-cashing services are often open longer hours than banks and don't require you to travel to a specific bank branch.

What ID you need and what happens if you don't have it

Any bank or cheque-cashing service will ask for a government-issued photo ID. This means a driver's license, passport, provincial ID card, or similar document issued by a government body. They need this to verify you are who the cheque is made out to and to prevent fraud.

If you don't have a government-issued ID, you have limited options. Some banks will accept a combination of documents—a utility bill or lease plus a library card or credit card—if you explain your situation and speak to a manager. Cheque-cashing services are usually stricter and may refuse you outright. If this is your situation, your best bet is to call the bank that issued the cheque and ask what documents they will accept, or visit in person and explain your circumstances.

Cheques with restrictions and what they mean

Some cheques have words printed or written on them that limit where they can be cashed. The most common restriction is "not negotiable," which means the cheque can only be cashed at the bank that issued it—not at a cheque-cashing service or retailer. Another is "account payee only," which means the cheque is made out to you personally and cannot be cashed by someone else even if you sign the back.

If a cheque says "not negotiable," you must go to the issuing bank. If it says "account payee only" or "for deposit only," you cannot cash it at all without a bank account—you can only deposit it. If you see either of these restrictions and don't have a bank account, ask the person who wrote the cheque to write you a new one without the restriction, or ask them to give you cash instead.

What to do if the cheque is damaged, post-dated, or stale

A damaged cheque—one that's torn, stained, or hard to read—may be refused by a bank or cheque-cashing service. If the damage is minor (a small tear or smudge), most banks will still cash it. If it's severe (the account number is illegible, or the signature is torn off), they will refuse. Ask the person who wrote the cheque to write you a new one.

A post-dated cheque is one with a future date. No bank or cheque-cashing service is required to cash it before that date arrives. If you try to cash it early, they will refuse. Wait until the date on the cheque or ask the person who wrote it to write a new cheque with today's date.

A stale-dated cheque is one that is more than six months old. Banks are not required to cash stale cheques and usually refuse them. If your cheque is older than six months, ask the person who wrote it to write a new one. Some banks may make an exception if you call and ask, but don't count on it.

Asking the person who wrote the cheque for cash instead

If you know the person who wrote the cheque, you can ask them to cancel it and give you cash instead. This is the simplest solution if they're willing and able. Tell them the cheque is inconvenient for you to cash and ask if they can give you the money in cash instead. They can tear up the cheque, and you both avoid any fees or delays.

This only works if you trust the person and they have the cash available. It also only works if the cheque hasn't been deposited or cashed already—once it's processed, the money is gone from their account and they can't simply hand you cash instead. If the cheque was written for a bill or debt, the person may not be willing to do this because they need a record of payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else cash a cheque that's made out to me?

No, not at a bank or cheque-cashing service. The cheque must be cashed by the person whose name is on it. If you want someone else to cash it for you, you can sign the back and write "pay to the order of [their name]," but most banks and cheque-cashing services will refuse this. Your safest option is to cash it yourself.

What if the cheque is for more than $10,000?

Banks must report cheques over $10,000 to the government for tax purposes. This doesn't mean anything is wrong—it's a standard reporting requirement. The bank will still cash it, but they may ask for extra ID or information about where the money came from. Cheque-cashing services may refuse very large cheques because they don't keep that much cash on hand.

How long does it take to cash a cheque?

At a bank or cheque-cashing service, it takes 5 to 20 minutes if you're in person with the cheque and ID. If the cheque is suspicious or very large, the bank may take longer to verify it. Post-dated cheques cannot be cashed until the date arrives, no matter how long you wait.

What if the cheque bounces after I cash it?

If you cash a cheque and it later bounces (the account has no funds), the bank or cheque-cashing service will take the money back from you. This is rare at a bank's own branch because they verify funds before cashing, but it can happen at cheque-cashing services. If this happens, you have the right to pursue the person who wrote the cheque for the money.

Can I cash a cheque online or by mail?

No. You must cash a cheque in person at a bank or cheque-cashing service with your ID. Some banks offer mobile cheque deposit if you have an account, but that's different—you're depositing it into your account, not cashing it for cash. Without a bank account, you must go in person.