You can cash a personal check at banks where you don't have an account, but the bank gets to decide whether to do it, and most now charge a fee or refuse entirely.
The short answer: it depends on the bank and the check. Banks are not required to cash checks for non-customers. Many large banks have stopped cashing third-party checks altogether. Some will cash checks drawn on their own bank for a fee (usually $5 to $15). A few regional banks and credit unions still cash checks for non-members at no charge, but this is becoming rare.
Your best options are the bank that issued the check, a check-cashing store, or depositing it into your own account at any bank or credit union. Each route has different costs and timing.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check is most likely to cash it for you, though they may charge a fee if you are not a customer.
- Most national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) no longer cash checks for non-customers under any circumstances.
- Check-cashing stores will cash personal checks but typically charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, which adds up quickly on larger checks.
- Depositing the check into your own account at any bank or credit union is usually free and takes one to two business days to clear.
- Some credit unions participate in shared branching networks that allow members to use other credit union branches, which may have different policies.
What the major banks will and won't do
Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank have all moved away from cashing checks for non-customers. If you walk in with a personal check drawn on one of these banks and you don't have an account there, they will typically direct you to deposit it into your own bank account instead. A few branches may make exceptions for very small checks or for customers of partner banks, but this is not a reliable option.
Smaller regional banks and local community banks are more likely to cash checks for non-customers, but policies vary widely. Your best move is to call the specific branch ahead of time and ask. Have the check in front of you when you call so you can give them the routing number and amount.
Cashing a check at the issuing bank
If the check is drawn on a bank where you do have an account, you can almost always cash it at that bank for free or a small fee. Walk in with the check and your ID. The teller will verify the account has funds and hand you cash. This usually takes a few minutes.
If you don't have an account at the issuing bank, call ahead to ask their policy for non-customers. Some banks will cash checks drawn on their own accounts for a flat fee ($5 to $15). Others will refuse. Asking first saves you a trip.
Check-cashing stores and their costs
Check-cashing businesses will cash personal checks for anyone with a valid ID, regardless of whether you have a bank account. The trade-off is the fee. Most charge between 1 and 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that is $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, it is $10 to $30.
Check-cashing stores are useful when you need cash when ready and cannot wait for a bank deposit to clear, or when the issuing bank refuses to cash the check. They are not a good long-term solution because the fees add up. If you find yourself using them regularly, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union will save you money.
Depositing instead of cashing
If you have a bank account anywhere, depositing the check is almost always the cheapest option. There is no fee. The check clears in one to two business days (sometimes longer for large checks or checks from smaller banks). You can deposit by mobile app, at an ATM, or at a teller window.
The downside is timing. If you need the cash today, a deposit does not help. But if you can wait a business day or two, this is the route that costs you nothing.
What happens if the check bounces
If you cash a check and it bounces (the account has insufficient funds), the bank or check-cashing store will reverse the transaction and you will owe them the money. If you cashed it at a check-cashing store, they may pursue collection or report you to a check verification service. If you deposited it into your account, your bank will charge you a returned-check fee (usually $15 to $35) and may close your account if bounced checks become a pattern.
Always verify that the person writing the check has the funds before you accept it. If you are unsure, ask them to write a cashier's check instead, which is may provide by the bank.
Credit union options and shared branching
If you belong to a credit union, you have more flexibility. Many credit unions will cash checks for members at no charge, even if the check is drawn on another bank. Some credit unions also participate in shared branching networks, which means you can visit another credit union's branch and conduct transactions as if it were your own branch.
Ask your credit union whether they offer shared branching and whether they will cash checks drawn on other banks. If they do, this can be a free alternative to check-cashing stores or bank fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank that did not issue it?
Only if you have an account at that bank. Banks will not cash checks drawn on other banks for non-customers. Your options are the bank that issued the check, a check-cashing store, or depositing it into your own account.
What ID do I need to cash a check?
A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID card). Some check-cashing stores may ask for additional information like your address or phone number. Banks may also ask for your account number if you are a customer.
How long does it take to cash a check at the bank?
If you are a customer and the check is drawn on that bank, it usually takes a few minutes. If you are depositing into your account, the check clears in one to two business days. Check-cashing stores typically process it in minutes.
What if the check is post-dated?
A post-dated check (dated in the future) should not be cashed or deposited before that date. Banks and check-cashing stores may refuse to process it, or they may process it anyway. It is safest to wait until the date on the check arrives.
Can I cash a check if it is signed over to me by someone else?
This is called a third-party check. Most banks and check-cashing stores no longer accept them because of fraud risk. Your safest option is to ask the original check writer to write a new check in your name, or to deposit it into your account if the issuing bank allows it.