You can get a cashier's check from places other than your own bank
A cashier's check is a check drawn on a bank's own account and signed by a bank employee, which makes it safer than a personal check because the funds are may provide. You do not need to have an account at that bank to buy one. Most banks will sell you a cashier's check if you walk in with cash or a debit card, even if you have never done business with them before. Some charge a flat fee ($5 to $15 is typical), and some charge nothing.
The catch is that you need to go in person during business hours, and you need to know exactly who the check should be made out to and for how much. You cannot get one online or by phone if you are not an account holder. If you do not have a bank nearby or cannot visit during their hours, a check-cashing store or money services business offers an alternative, though the fees are usually higher.
Key Takeaways
- Any bank will sell you a cashier's check for cash or a debit card without requiring you to have an account, though you must visit in person.
- Fees range from nothing to about $15 per check at banks, and $10 to $25 at check-cashing stores, depending on the provider.
- You need the payee name and exact dollar amount before you arrive, because the check cannot be changed once it is issued.
- Check-cashing stores and money services businesses also issue cashier's checks, usually for higher fees but sometimes with more flexible hours.
- The check is ready when ready in most cases, taking five to fifteen minutes from start to finish.
Getting a cashier's check at a bank where you do not have an account
Walk into any branch of a major bank—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, or a regional bank in your area—and ask for a cashier's check. Tell the teller the name of the person or business the check should be made out to, the dollar amount, and whether you are paying in cash or with a debit card. The teller will fill out the check, you will sign it, and you will pay the fee if there is one.
The whole process takes five to ten minutes. You will walk out with the check in hand. Some banks require you to show a photo ID; all of them do. A few banks have policies against issuing cashier's checks to non-account holders, so if the first bank turns you down, try another one nearby. This is rare, but it happens.
If you are paying with a debit card, the bank will run it like any other transaction. If you are paying with cash, bring enough to cover both the check amount and the fee. The bank will not make change on a cashier's check purchase—you pay the exact total or you do not get the check.
Check-cashing stores and money services businesses
A check-cashing store or money services business (sometimes called a currency exchange) will also issue cashier's checks without requiring an account. These businesses are often open longer hours than banks—some operate evenings and weekends—and they are more common in some neighborhoods than bank branches.
The downside is cost. Fees at check-cashing stores typically run $10 to $25 per cashier's check, compared to $5 to $15 at a bank. Some charge a percentage of the check amount instead of a flat fee. Call ahead to ask the fee before you go in, because it varies widely by location and by the check amount.
The process is the same: you tell them the payee name and amount, they issue the check, you pay and leave. Bring a photo ID. These businesses are regulated by state law, so they exist in most states, but not all. If you cannot find one near you, search online for "check cashing near me" or "money services" in your area.
What information you need before you go
Write down the exact name of the person or business the check should be made out to. If it is a business, use the legal name on their invoice or contract, not a shortened version. If you get the name wrong, the check cannot be corrected—you will have to buy a new one and eat the fee on the first one.
Write down the exact dollar amount. Cents matter. If the check is for rent and your lease says $1,250, do not guess at $1,200 or $1,300. Ask the landlord or the business what amount they need.
Bring a photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will work. Some places accept a military ID or tribal ID. If you do not have a photo ID, ask the bank or check-cashing store what they will accept—policies vary by location.
Fees and timing across different providers
| Provider Type | Typical Fee | Hours | Time to Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major bank (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) | $5–$15 | Weekdays 9 AM–5 PM, some Saturday hours | 5–10 minutes |
| Credit union | $0–$10 | Weekdays 9 AM–5 PM, some Saturday hours | 5–10 minutes |
| Check-cashing store | $10–$25 | Often 9 AM–8 PM, some open weekends | 5–15 minutes |
| Money services business | $10–$25 | Varies; often longer than banks | 5–15 minutes |
Credit unions often charge lower fees than banks, and some issue cashier's checks to non-members for free or a small fee. If you have access to a credit union—through an employer, a professional association, or a community group—that is worth trying first.
The time to issue is consistent across all providers. Once you have provided the payee name, amount, and payment method, the check is usually ready within minutes. You do not have to wait for anything to clear or process.
When a cashier's check is the right choice
A cashier's check is useful when the person receiving the money needs proof that the funds are real and available. Landlords often ask for one when you are paying a security deposit or a large lump sum. Businesses may ask for one when you are buying something expensive. Courts sometimes require one for legal settlements.
A cashier's check is not the same as a money order. A money order is smaller (usually capped at $500 to $1,000), costs less, and is available at more places—post offices, grocery stores, pharmacies. If the amount you need is under $1,000, a money order may be cheaper and easier. If you need more than that, or if the recipient specifically asks for a cashier's check, then a bank or check-cashing store is your route.
What to do if you cannot visit in person
If you have a bank account somewhere, you can often order a cashier's check online or by phone and pick it up at a branch, or have it mailed to you. But if you do not have an account anywhere, you cannot use this option.
A wire transfer is an alternative if the recipient can receive one. Wire transfers move money directly from one bank account to another and do not require a check at all. If the person you are paying has a bank account and can give you their routing number and account number, a wire transfer is faster and does not require you to visit anywhere. Most banks charge $15 to $30 for a wire transfer, similar to a cashier's check fee.
If neither a cashier's check nor a wire transfer works, ask the recipient what other forms of payment they will take. Some will accept a money order, a certified check (which requires a bank account), or a digital payment like Venmo or PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a cashier's check for someone else?
Yes. The check is made out to whoever you tell the bank it should be made out to. You do not have to be the person receiving the money. Bring your own photo ID, and the bank will issue the check in whatever name you request.
What if I do not know the exact amount yet?
You cannot get a cashier's check without knowing the exact amount. If the amount is not final, wait until it is, or use a different payment method. If you buy a check for the wrong amount, you will have to buy another one.
Can I cancel a cashier's check after I get it?
Yes, but it is complicated. You will need to go back to the bank that issued it, bring the check, and ask them to cancel it. Some banks charge a fee to cancel. If the check has already been cashed, you cannot cancel it.
Do I need to worry about the check bouncing?
No. A cashier's check is drawn on the bank's own account, not yours, so the funds are may provide. The recipient can deposit it with confidence that it will clear.
What if the bank refuses to issue me a cashier's check?
Some banks have policies against issuing them to non-account holders, though this is uncommon. If one bank says no, try another bank or a check-cashing store. You have options.