You can get a bank check at your own bank, but not at every other bank

A bank check (also called a cashier's check or official check) is a check drawn on the bank's own account rather than yours, which makes it safer for the person receiving it. Your own bank will issue one for you if you have an account there and sufficient funds. Most other banks will not issue one to you unless you are a customer of theirs — some will refuse outright, and a few will issue one for a fee if you walk in with cash, but this is rare and getting rarer.

The fastest and most reliable path is to go to the bank where you hold your account, bring your ID and the amount you need in cash or have it deducted from your account, and ask for a cashier's check. The bank will print it on the spot or within a few hours. If you do not have a bank account anywhere, you have fewer options: some credit unions will issue one to non-members for a fee, and a few banks will do the same, but you will need to call ahead to confirm they offer this service.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank will issue a cashier's check same-day or next-day if you have an account there and bring valid ID.
  • Banks charge between $5 and $15 per cashier's check, though some accounts waive the fee.
  • Most banks will not issue a cashier's check to non-customers, even if you offer to pay cash.
  • Credit unions are more likely than banks to issue a cashier's check to non-members, but you must call first to confirm they offer this service and what they charge.
  • Online banks that have no physical branches cannot issue cashier's checks in person, though some will mail one to you for a fee.

What happens when you ask your own bank for a cashier's check

Walk into your branch with your government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and tell the teller you need a cashier's check. Have the amount ready and the name of the person or business the check should be made out to. The teller will confirm you have enough money in your account (or you can pay cash), print the check, and you will walk out with it the same day in most cases.

Some banks print cashier's checks on demand at the teller window. Others print them at a back office and ask you to return the next business day. Call your branch ahead of time if you need it urgently and want to know which applies to you. The bank will charge you a fee — typically $5 to $15 — though some checking accounts waive this fee as a benefit. Ask your bank whether your account includes it.

Why other banks usually will not issue one to you

When you ask a bank where you do not have an account for a cashier's check, they will almost always say no. The reason is liability and fraud prevention. A cashier's check is a bank's own obligation, so the bank is on the hook if something goes wrong. Banks do not want to issue their own checks to strangers because they cannot verify your identity as easily, cannot confirm you have legitimate reasons for the check, and cannot track you down if the check is used fraudulently.

A few large banks will issue a cashier's check to a non-customer if you walk in with cash and valid ID, but they charge a higher fee — sometimes $20 or more — and may require you to wait while they process it. Call the bank's main line and ask whether they offer this service before you go in. Do not assume they do.

Credit unions and other options if you have no bank account

Credit unions are more flexible than banks about issuing cashier's checks to non-members. Many will do it for a fee of $5 to $10 if you bring cash and a valid ID. However, not all credit unions offer this service, and policies vary widely. Call the credit union first and ask whether they issue cashier's checks to non-members and what the fee is.

Some online banks that have no physical branches will mail you a cashier's check if you open an account with them, but this takes several days and defeats the purpose if you need the check urgently. A few will issue one to non-customers for a fee of $15 to $25, but again, you must call and ask first — do not assume they do.

If you cannot find a bank or credit union willing to issue one, consider whether you actually need a cashier's check. Many situations that seem to require one can be handled with a regular personal check, a money order (available at the post office, grocery stores, and pharmacies for $1 to $2), or a wire transfer if the recipient has a bank account.

Fees and what they cover

Bank fees for cashier's checks range from $0 to $15 at your own bank, depending on your account type. Premium checking accounts often waive the fee. Non-customers or credit union non-members typically pay $5 to $10 at a credit union and $10 to $25 at a bank, if they will issue one at all.

The fee covers the bank's cost of printing the check, verifying the funds, and standing behind the check if there is a dispute. It does not include delivery or mailing. If you need the check mailed to you, some banks charge an additional fee for that service, usually $5 to $10. Ask before you order.

What to do if your bank is closed or you need the check urgently

If your bank is closed and you need a cashier's check today, call the bank's customer service line and ask whether any branch near you is still open. Some banks have extended hours or Saturday service. If no branch is open, you have limited options: a credit union near you might issue one, or you can ask the person or business receiving the check whether they will accept a different form of payment (a regular check, a wire transfer, or a money order).

If you need the check tomorrow morning, go to your bank as soon as it opens. Most banks can print a cashier's check within minutes. If your bank requires a day to process, ask whether they can expedite it or whether another branch can issue one faster.

How to protect yourself when receiving a cashier's check

If someone is sending you a cashier's check, do not deposit it when ready. Call the bank that issued it (the bank name is printed on the check) and confirm that the check is real and the amount is correct. Scammers sometimes create fake cashier's checks that look real but are not. A real bank can verify a real check in seconds.

Do not cash a cashier's check or wire money based on it until the bank confirms it is genuine. Deposits of cashier's checks typically clear within one to three business days, but if the check is fake, the bank will reverse the deposit weeks later and you will be responsible for the money you already sent or spent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a cashier's check from a bank I do not have an account with?

Most banks will refuse. A few will issue one to non-customers if you bring cash and valid ID, but they charge a higher fee and you must call first to confirm they offer this service. Credit unions are more likely to do this than banks.

How long does it take to get a cashier's check?

Same-day is typical at your own bank — the teller can print it while you wait, or you may need to return the next business day. Non-customers should expect to wait longer or be turned away. Call your bank ahead of time if you need it urgently.

What if I lose a cashier's check I already have?

Contact the bank that issued it when ready. You will need to sign an affidavit stating the check is lost and agree to indemnify the bank (promise to repay them if the check is cashed). The bank will issue a replacement, usually for a fee of $15 to $30, and may require you to wait 30 to 90 days before they will reissue to make sure the original is not cashed.

Is a cashier's check safer than a personal check?

Yes. A cashier's check is drawn on the bank's account, not yours, so the bank guarantees the funds are there. A personal check can bounce if your account does not have enough money. This is why landlords, car dealers, and others handling large transactions often ask for a cashier's check.

Can I get a cashier's check from an online bank?

Most online banks cannot issue one in person because they have no physical branches. Some will mail one to you for a fee, but this takes several days. If you need a cashier's check urgently, use a bank or credit union with a physical location near you.