Most banks will cash a check drawn on another bank, but they may charge you a fee and require you to have an account there
You can walk into a bank and cash a check drawn on a different bank. The teller will verify the check is real, confirm the account has funds, and give you cash. But the bank is not obligated to do this for non-customers, and many now charge a fee—typically $5 to $15—for the service. Some banks have stopped offering it altogether.
The reason banks charge is straightforward: they have to contact the other bank to confirm the funds exist, and that takes time and resources. They are doing work for someone who does not have an account with them and may never return. The fee is their way of pricing that service.
Your best option depends on where the check is drawn from, whether you have a bank account, and how quickly you need the cash.
Key Takeaways
- Banks that are not your own will often cash checks for a fee, but some have stopped offering this service to non-customers entirely.
- If the check is drawn on a bank in the same network as yours, you may be able to cash it for free at an ATM or branch.
- The issuer of the check—the person or company who wrote it—can cash it at their own bank for free, even if you are the one holding it.
- Check-cashing stores and grocery stores with check-cashing services are alternatives, though they typically charge higher fees than banks.
- Mobile deposit through your own bank's app is the fastest and cheapest option if you have a bank account.
Cashing a check at a bank where you do not have an account
Walk in during business hours with the check and a valid ID. The teller will ask which bank the check is drawn on, verify the account has funds by contacting that bank, and ask if you want to proceed if there is a fee. If you agree, they will give you cash.
The fee varies by bank. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically charge $5 to $10 for non-customers. Smaller regional banks may charge less or waive the fee. Some banks—including Ally and other online-only banks—do not cash checks for non-customers at all because they have no physical branches.
The check must be signed and made payable to you. If it is made out to someone else, that person must sign it over to you, and many banks will not accept a third-party check even then.
Using your own bank to cash a check from another bank
If you have a bank account, deposit the check into your account instead of cashing it. This is free and takes seconds—either at an ATM with mobile deposit, at a branch, or through your bank's app. The funds will be available within one to three business days, depending on your bank's policy.
Mobile deposit is the fastest route: photograph the front and back of the check with your phone, upload it through your bank's app, and the deposit is submitted when ready. Your bank will hold the funds for a day or two while they verify the check with the other bank, then release them to your account.
If you need cash when ready, withdraw from an ATM after the deposit clears, or ask the teller for cash back at the branch.
Cashing a check at the bank it is drawn on
If the check is drawn on a bank where you do not have an account, you can still walk into any branch of that bank and cash it. The bank will verify you have a valid ID and that the account has funds, then give you cash. Most banks do this for free, even for non-customers, because they are straightforward moving money out of their own account.
This is often the cheapest option if the check is drawn on a large bank with many branches near you. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank will typically cash checks at any of their branches without charging a non-customer fee.
The check must be signed and made payable to you. Bring a valid ID.
Check-cashing stores and retail alternatives
Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and retailers like Walmart and Target offer check-cashing services. The fees are usually higher than banks—typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, or a flat fee of $3 to $10. A $500 check might cost $15 to $25 to cash.
The advantage is speed and convenience: many are open longer hours than banks and do not require an account. The disadvantage is cost. If you have a bank account, depositing the check is cheaper. If you do not have a bank account, a check-cashing store is a practical option, but compare fees first—they vary significantly by location and store.
What happens if the check bounces
If the account the check is drawn on does not have enough funds, the check will bounce. If you cashed it at a bank, the bank will deduct the amount from your account and charge you a returned-check fee, typically $10 to $15. You are responsible for returning the funds.
If you deposited it into your own account, your bank will do the same: reverse the deposit and charge a fee. The person who wrote the check is also liable to their own bank for a bounced-check fee.
Banks verify funds before cashing a check, so bounces are rare. But if the account is closed or frozen between the time you cash the check and the time it clears, the bank may still reverse it.
Third-party checks and signed-over checks
A third-party check is one made out to someone else that they sign over to you. Most banks will not cash or deposit third-party checks anymore, even if both the original payee and you sign it. The risk of fraud is too high.
If you receive a check made out to someone else, ask that person to deposit it into their own account and transfer you the funds, or ask them to cash it and give you the money. This is faster and avoids the third-party check problem entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at any branch of the bank it is drawn on?
Yes. Any branch of the bank that issued the check will cash it for free if you have a valid ID and the check is signed and made payable to you. You do not need an account at that bank.
What if I do not have a valid ID?
Banks require a valid ID to cash any check, whether you are a customer or not. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will work. Without one, the bank cannot cash the check.
How long does it take to cash a check at a bank that is not mine?
The process takes 5 to 10 minutes in person. The teller verifies the check and confirms funds, then hands you cash. If you deposit it into your own account instead, the funds are usually available within one to three business days.
Is there a limit to how much I can cash?
Banks may refuse to cash very large checks for non-customers, or may require additional verification. There is no federal limit, but individual banks set their own policies. Call ahead if the check is over $5,000.
Can I cash a post-dated check?
Technically, a post-dated check should not be cashed until the date on it arrives. In practice, many banks will cash it early anyway. Ask the teller before handing over the check. If they refuse, wait until the date on the check.