You can cash a cashier's check without a bank account, but your options are limited and some cost money

A cashier's check is a check issued by a bank on its own account, not yours. Because the bank guarantees the funds, most places will cash it even if you don't have an account there. The catch: you'll pay a fee at most locations, and some won't cash it at all if you're not a customer. Your fastest and cheapest route is usually the bank that issued the check, even if you've never done business there.

The check itself has the issuing bank's name printed on it. That's the bank you should try first. If that doesn't work or isn't convenient, you have other options—but each one has a cost or a limitation you should know about before you walk in.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the check will almost always cash it for free, even if you don't have an account there—bring your ID and the check.
  • Other banks may cash it for a fee (typically $5 to $15) or refuse entirely if you're not a customer.
  • Check-cashing stores and grocery stores with check-cashing services will cash it but charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent.
  • Walmart and similar retailers offer check cashing at a flat fee, often cheaper than dedicated check-cashing stores.
  • Online banks and some credit unions may not cash checks in person at all, so confirm before you try.

The issuing bank is your best option

Go to the bank whose name appears on the check. Bring a valid photo ID and the check itself. You do not need an account at that bank. Most banks will cash their own cashier's checks for free, even for non-customers, because they issued the check and know the funds are real.

Call ahead if you're unsure. Some branches have limits on how much cash they'll hand over in a single transaction, or they may need to order large amounts of cash. A quick phone call to the branch saves you a trip.

If the check is from a bank that's not in your area, you can still deposit it into an account at another bank if you open one, but that defeats the purpose if you're trying to avoid having an account. Your next-best option is a different cashing location.

Other banks will cash it, but usually for a fee

Banks other than the issuing bank may cash a cashier's check for you, but most charge a fee for non-customers. The fee typically ranges from $5 to $15, depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks refuse to cash checks for non-customers at all.

Call the bank branch near you before you go. Ask whether they cash third-party checks for non-customers and what the fee is. This saves time and tells you whether it's worth the trip. If the fee is high relative to the check amount, another option may be cheaper.

Check-cashing stores and grocery stores

Dedicated check-cashing businesses and grocery stores with check-cashing services (like Kroger, Safeway, or Whole Foods) will cash a cashier's check, but they charge a percentage of the check amount. Fees typically run 1 to 3 percent, so a $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash.

The advantage is convenience—many are open longer hours than banks and don't require an account. The disadvantage is the percentage fee, which adds up on larger checks. Ask for the fee before you hand over the check. Some stores post it on the wall; others will tell you at the counter.

Grocery stores sometimes offer lower fees than dedicated check-cashing stores, so if you shop at one, ask whether they cash checks and what they charge.

Walmart and similar retailers

Walmart, Target, and some other large retailers offer check-cashing services at a flat fee rather than a percentage. Walmart's fee is typically $3 to $6 for a cashier's check, depending on the amount. This is often cheaper than a percentage-based fee, especially on larger checks.

Go to the customer service desk with your ID and the check. The process is quick. Not all locations offer check cashing, so call ahead or check the store's website to confirm. Hours for check cashing may be shorter than store hours, so ask when you call.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring a valid photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The person cashing the check will write down your ID number and may ask how you received the check. They're checking for fraud, which is routine.

The check must be made out to you or to you and someone else. If it's made out to someone else entirely, you cannot cash it. If it's made out to you and another person, both of you usually need to be present and sign the back, though policies vary.

Endorse the check by signing the back. Some places will ask you to sign in front of them. Don't sign it until you're at the location where you're cashing it—a signed blank check is a risk.

The amount of cash you receive may be limited by the location's policy. Banks sometimes have daily limits on cash withdrawals for non-customers. If the check is large, call ahead and ask whether they can provide that much cash on the day you plan to cash it.

Avoid these common mistakes

Don't assume any bank will cash it. Call first. Some banks have policies against cashing checks for non-customers, and you don't want to make the trip for nothing.

Don't sign the back of the check before you arrive. A signed check is negotiable—anyone with it can potentially cash it. Sign it at the location, in front of the person cashing it.

Don't go to an online-only bank. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and others that operate only online have no physical branches where you can cash a check in person. If the check is from an online bank, you'll need to use one of the other options.

Don't assume the fee is the same everywhere. Fees vary widely. A $10 fee at one bank might be $3 at Walmart. It's worth a quick call to compare if the check is large enough to make the difference matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the cashier's check is made out to two people?

Both people usually need to be present with ID and both need to sign the back. Some locations may allow one person to sign if the other has authorized it in writing, but policies vary. Call ahead and ask what the location requires before you both go in.

Can I cash a cashier's check at an ATM?

No. ATMs accept deposits but do not dispense cash for checks. You must go to a physical location—a bank branch, check-cashing store, or retailer with a check-cashing service.

What if I lost the check or it was damaged?

Contact the bank that issued it. You'll need to provide proof of purchase or the receipt, and the bank can issue a replacement. This process takes time—usually several business days to a few weeks—so you won't get cash when ready.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to cash a cashier's check?

No, but you do need a valid photo ID. A passport, state ID, or driver's license works. The location is checking your identity, not your citizenship status.

What's the difference between a cashier's check and a regular check?

A cashier's check is issued by the bank itself and may provide by the bank's funds. A regular check is issued by an individual or business and depends on that person's account having enough money. Cashier's checks are harder to dispute and more widely accepted, which is why most places will cash them without an account.