Not every bank will cash a check for you if you don't have an account there
A bank can refuse to cash your check. Most banks will only cash checks for their own customers, or they will charge you a fee if you're not a member. Some banks have stopped cashing third-party checks altogether — checks made out to someone else, then signed over to you. A few banks still cash checks for non-customers, but the rules vary widely, and you may need to bring ID and the original check.
The fastest way to know what your options are is to call the bank that issued the check — the one printed on the front — and ask if they will cash it for you without an account. If they won't, you have other routes: your own bank, a check-cashing service, or a retail store that offers check cashing.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check (printed on the front) is most likely to cash it for you without an account, though many now charge a fee for non-customers.
- Your own bank will cash checks drawn on any other bank if you have an account there, and usually at no charge.
- Check-cashing services and some retail stores will cash checks for a percentage of the amount, typically 1 to 3 percent.
- Third-party checks — checks signed over to you by someone else — are harder to cash and many banks refuse them entirely.
The bank that issued the check is your first option
The bank whose name is printed on the check — called the issuing bank — is the one most likely to cash it for you. This is the bank where the person who wrote the check keeps their account. When you walk in with the check and your ID, they can verify the account has the funds and hand you cash on the spot.
However, many large banks now charge non-customers a fee to cash checks. The fee is usually $5 to $15 depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks have stopped cashing checks for non-customers entirely. Call the bank's customer service line or visit a branch to ask their policy before you go in.
Smaller banks and credit unions are more likely to cash checks for non-customers without a fee, but this varies. Ask when you call.
Your own bank will cash checks from other banks
If you have a checking or savings account at a bank, that bank will cash checks drawn on any other bank. You can deposit the check into your account, or ask the teller to cash it for you at the window. There is no fee for this service if you're a customer.
This is the simplest route if you already have an account somewhere. The check clears through the banking system, and you get your money. Deposits usually take one to two business days; cashing at the window is when ready.
Check-cashing services charge a percentage of the check amount
A check-cashing service is a business that cashes checks for anyone, regardless of whether they have a bank account. They charge a fee, usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that's $5 to $15. The fee is higher for larger checks at some locations.
Check-cashing services are open longer hours than banks and are often located in neighborhoods where banks are scarce. You will need a valid ID. Some services also offer money orders, bill payment, and payday loans, though those come with their own costs.
The downside is the fee. If you have access to a bank account, depositing the check there costs nothing. Check-cashing services are most useful when you need cash when ready and don't have a bank account or can't reach your bank.
Retail stores that offer check cashing
Some grocery stores, Walmart, and other large retailers will cash checks for customers. The fee is usually lower than a check-cashing service — often $3 to $5 for a personal check. You typically need a valid ID and sometimes a store membership or loyalty card.
Retail check cashing is convenient if you're already shopping there, but not all stores offer it and policies vary by location. Call ahead or ask at the customer service desk to confirm they cash checks and what their fee is.
Third-party checks are harder to cash
A third-party check is one made out to someone else, then signed over to you. For example, your roommate receives a check from their employer and signs the back, then gives it to you to deposit toward rent. Many banks now refuse to cash or deposit third-party checks because of fraud risk.
If you need to cash a third-party check, your best option is to ask the original recipient to deposit it into their own account and then send you the money. If that's not possible, call the issuing bank and ask if they will cash it. Some will if you bring both the original recipient and the check, along with both of your IDs. Check-cashing services may also accept third-party checks, but policies vary — call first.
What you need to bring to cash a check
Bring a valid government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The name on the ID should match the name on the check. Bring the original check; a photo or mobile deposit image won't work at a teller window.
If you're cashing a check at the issuing bank and you don't have an account there, call ahead to confirm they will cash it for non-customers and ask about their fee. If you're using a check-cashing service or retail store, ask what ID they need — some accept only driver's licenses, while others take passports or state IDs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at any branch of the bank that issued it?
Yes, if the bank has multiple branches, any branch can cash a check drawn on that bank. The teller can verify the account and funds through the bank's system regardless of location. However, some very small banks or credit unions may only be able to cash checks at the branch where the account holder banks.
What if the check is made out to two people?
If the check says "John Smith and Jane Doe," both people typically need to be present with ID to cash it. If it says "John Smith or Jane Doe," either person can usually cash it alone. Ask the bank or check-cashing service before you go in, because policies vary.
How long does it take to cash a check?
Cashing a check at the teller window takes a few minutes. Depositing a check into your account is when ready, but the funds may not be available for one to two business days depending on the bank and the amount. Check-cashing services and retail stores also process checks in minutes.
Can I cash a check if it's dated in the future?
Most banks will not cash or deposit a post-dated check — one dated for a future date — until that date arrives. Some banks will refuse it entirely. If you have a post-dated check, wait until the date on the check or ask the person who wrote it to rewrite it with today's date.
What if the check is damaged or hard to read?
A check that is torn, faded, or water-damaged may be refused by a bank or check-cashing service. If the routing number, account number, or amount is illegible, the bank cannot process it. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to issue a replacement.