Not every bank will cash a check from someone who isn't a customer

Most banks will cash a check for a non-customer, but they are not required to, and many charge a fee for doing it. The fee ranges from $5 to $15 depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks have stopped cashing third-party checks altogether. Your best option is to cash the check at the bank that issued it — the one printed on the check itself — since that bank has the account the money is drawn from and is most likely to cash it without a fee or with a lower fee.

If you cannot get to the issuing bank, your own bank may cash it for free if you have an account there. If you have no bank account at all, a check-cashing store or grocery store service desk are alternatives, though they charge higher fees — typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the check (the one whose name is printed on it) will almost always cash it for free or a small fee, even if you have no account there.
  • Your own bank will usually cash a check for free if you are a customer, regardless of which bank issued it.
  • Banks that are not the issuing bank and where you have no account may refuse to cash the check or charge $5 to $15 to do so.
  • Check-cashing stores and grocery store services will cash checks for non-customers but charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount as a fee.
  • Third-party checks (checks made out to someone other than you) are harder to cash and many banks refuse them entirely.

Cashing at the bank that issued the check

The issuing bank is the one whose name appears on the check. This bank holds the account the check is drawn from and can verify the funds immediately. Most issuing banks will cash the check for a non-customer at no charge or for a small fee of $2 to $5. Some large banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase will cash checks for non-customers, though policies vary by branch and region.

To cash at the issuing bank, bring the check and a government-issued photo ID. The teller will verify the account has sufficient funds and process the cash. This usually takes a few minutes. If the account does not have enough money, the bank will tell you and the check will not be cashed.

Cashing at your own bank

If you have an account at a bank, that bank will almost always cash a check for you at no charge, regardless of which bank issued it. This is one of the benefits of having an account. You can also deposit the check into your account instead of taking cash, which is often faster and safer.

Depositing takes seconds — you hand the check to a teller or use a mobile app to photograph it. The funds may be available immediately or within one to two business days, depending on your bank's policy and the check amount. Cashing the check means you get physical money on the spot, but you lose the record of the transaction that a deposit creates.

Cashing at a bank where you have no account

Banks that did not issue the check and where you have no account are under no obligation to cash it. Many large banks have stopped cashing checks for non-customers entirely. Others will do it but charge a fee of $5 to $15. Some banks limit non-customer check cashing to checks under a certain amount, such as $500.

If you try to cash a check at a bank where you are not a customer, call ahead or ask at the teller window about their policy before you wait in line. Policies change and vary by branch, so what one location does may differ from another location of the same bank.

Third-party checks and why they are harder to cash

A third-party check is one made out to someone else that they then sign over to you. For example, if your roommate receives a check made out to them and signs the back and writes your name, that is a third-party check. Banks treat these with suspicion because the signature chain is harder to verify and the risk of fraud is higher.

Most banks refuse to cash third-party checks at all, even for customers. Some will cash them only if both the original payee and you are present with ID. Your best option is to ask the person who received the check to deposit it into their own account and then transfer you the money through a bank transfer or peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal. This is faster and avoids the third-party check problem entirely.

Check-cashing stores and other alternatives

If you have no bank account and cannot reach the issuing bank, a check-cashing store will cash the check for you. These stores charge a fee of 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $1,000 check, that is $10 to $30. They are open longer hours than banks and do not require an account, but the fees add up quickly if you cash checks regularly.

Grocery stores and some retailers like Walmart also offer check-cashing services at their customer service desk. Their fees are usually similar to check-cashing stores — 1 to 3 percent — but they may have lower limits on the check amount they will cash, such as $500 or $1,000. Call ahead to confirm they offer the service and what their fee is.

What to do if the check bounces

If you cash a check and the account does not have enough money to cover it, the check bounces. The bank will return the check unpaid and may charge you a fee of $5 to $15 for the returned check. You are responsible for returning the money to whoever gave you the check.

If you cash a check at the issuing bank, they verify the funds before they hand you the cash, so a bounce is rare. If you cash at another bank or a check-cashing store, that business may not verify funds, and you could end up with a bad check. Ask the teller whether they verify funds before cashing. If they do not, you take the risk that the check will bounce and you will owe the money back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at any bank branch of the same bank?

Yes. If the check is issued by Bank of America, you can cash it at any Bank of America branch, even if you have no account there. The same is true for other banks. Branch policies may vary slightly, so call ahead if you are unsure.

What if I do not have a photo ID?

Banks require a government-issued photo ID to cash a check. If you do not have one, you cannot cash a check at a bank. A check-cashing store may accept other forms of ID, but policies vary. Call ahead to ask what they accept.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At the issuing bank or your own bank, cashing a check takes a few minutes. At a check-cashing store, it may take 10 to 15 minutes. If you deposit the check instead of cashing it, the transaction is instant, but the funds may not be available for one to two business days.

Can I cash a check made out to a business if I work there?

No. A check made out to a business must be deposited into the business's account, not cashed by an employee. The business owner or someone with signing authority on the account must handle it. Personal cashing of a business check is considered theft.

What happens if I try to cash a check that is post-dated?

A post-dated check is one with a future date on it. Banks are not supposed to cash post-dated checks before that date, but many do anyway. If you cash a post-dated check early and the account does not have funds yet, the check will bounce. It is safer to wait until the date on the check to cash it.