Not every bank will issue a certified check, and the ones that do may charge a fee or require you to be a customer.

A certified check is a personal check that the bank has verified and may provide. The bank stamps it, sets aside the funds in your account, and signs off that the money is there. The recipient gets certainty that the check won't bounce. But certified checks are not a standard product at every institution. Large banks almost always offer them. Credit unions often do, though some smaller ones don't. Online-only banks rarely issue them because they have no physical branch where you can pick one up. Some banks charge $5 to $15 per check; others waive the fee for customers who maintain a minimum balance.

The practical constraint is that you usually have to get a certified check in person at a branch. You'll need to bring a valid ID, your account number, and the exact amount the check should be for. The bank will deduct that amount from your account when ready and hold it until the check clears or is destroyed. The whole process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, though some banks can do it faster if the branch is quiet.

Key Takeaways

  • Large national banks and most credit unions issue certified checks, but online-only banks and some smaller institutions do not.
  • You must visit a branch in person with a valid ID and your account number to request a certified check.
  • The bank will charge a fee (usually $5 to $15) unless you meet a minimum balance requirement or have a premium account.
  • The funds are set aside when ready, so the check is may provide even if your balance drops before the recipient deposits it.
  • If you don't have a bank account or your bank won't issue one, a cashier's check from the same bank is usually an acceptable substitute.

Which institutions issue certified checks

Most banks with physical branches will issue certified checks to their account holders. This includes the major national banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank—and regional banks in your area. Credit unions issue them too, though you'll need to be a member. Call ahead or check the bank's website to confirm, because policies vary by institution and sometimes by branch.

If you bank online only—with institutions like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover—you cannot get a certified check because there is no physical location to visit. Some online banks partner with other institutions to issue checks, but this is rare and usually not advertised. Your best option in that case is to open a second account at a local bank that has branches, or to use a cashier's check instead, which your online bank may be able to order for you.

If you don't have a bank account at all, you can sometimes get a certified check from a bank where you have no account, but most banks will refuse. Some will issue one if you pay cash upfront and they can verify your identity, but this is not standard practice. A cashier's check is more likely to be available to non-customers, though fees are usually higher.

What you need to bring and what it costs

Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and your account number. You don't need to bring your checkbook or debit card, though either can help if you're unsure of your account number. Tell the teller the exact amount the check should be for, who it should be made out to, and whether you need it right away or can wait a few minutes.

Fees range from $0 to $15 per check. Many banks waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance (often $1,500 to $5,000) or have a premium checking account. Some banks charge a flat fee per check regardless of the amount. A few charge nothing at all. Ask the teller what your bank charges before you request the check, because you'll be charged even if you change your mind and don't use it.

The bank will deduct the full amount from your account on the spot. This means the funds are no longer available for other transactions, even though the recipient hasn't deposited the check yet. If the check is lost or never deposited, you can request a refund or replacement, but the process can take several days to a few weeks depending on the bank's policy.

Certified checks versus cashier's checks

A cashier's check is similar to a certified check but is drawn on the bank's own account, not yours. The bank is the payer, not you. From the recipient's perspective, both are equally safe—the bank has may provide the funds. The main differences are practical: a cashier's check is easier to get if you're not a customer of the bank, and some banks issue cashier's checks faster than certified checks. Fees are usually the same, though some banks charge slightly more for a cashier's check.

If your bank won't issue a certified check, ask whether they issue cashier's checks instead. If you don't have a bank account, a cashier's check from any bank that will issue one is usually an acceptable substitute. The recipient won't care which type you use as long as the bank's name and may provide are on the check.

When you can't get one and what to do instead

If your bank doesn't issue certified checks and won't issue a cashier's check either, you have a few options. First, ask the person or organization requesting the check whether they will accept a regular personal check with a bank statement showing your current balance. Many will, especially if the amount is small. Second, ask whether a money order would work instead—you can get one at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and post offices for a small fee, usually $1 to $5.

Third, consider opening a basic checking account at a bank that has branches near you. This takes 15 to 30 minutes and usually costs nothing. Once the account is open, you can request a certified check when ready. Fourth, if you need the check for a real estate transaction or legal matter, ask the other party's attorney or agent whether they have a preferred method of payment or whether they can work with an alternative.

How long a certified check is good for

A certified check does not expire in the legal sense—it remains valid indefinitely. However, many banks will not honor a certified check that is more than 6 months old, even though the law does not require this. Some states have different rules. If you have a certified check that is older than 6 months, contact the bank that issued it and ask whether it is still valid. If not, you can request a new one, though you may be charged another fee.

The recipient should deposit or cash the check as soon as possible after you give it to them. If they wait months, the bank may refuse it. If the check is lost or stolen, contact the bank when ready and ask them to put a stop payment on it. You'll usually be charged a fee for this, and the process can take several business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a certified check from a bank where I don't have an account?

Most banks will not issue a certified check to non-customers because they have no way to verify your identity or deduct the funds from an account. Some banks will issue a cashier's check to a non-customer if you pay cash upfront, but this is not may provide. Call ahead and ask.

How long does it take to get a certified check?

If you visit a branch in person during business hours, most banks can issue a certified check within 15 to 30 minutes. Some branches are faster. A few banks offer to mail a certified check to you, which takes 3 to 5 business days. Ask the teller what options are available at your branch.

What if I lose the certified check after the bank issues it?

Contact the bank when ready and ask them to put a stop payment on it. You'll usually be charged a fee ($15 to $30) and the process takes several business days. The bank will then issue a replacement check. Until the stop payment is processed, the original check remains valid if someone finds it.

Can I request a certified check over the phone or online?

No. You must visit a branch in person with a valid ID. Some banks offer to mail a certified check to you if you call and request one, but you still have to provide your ID and signature in person first, either at a branch or by mail.

Is a certified check the same as a cashier's check?

Both are bank-may provide checks, so they are equally safe from the recipient's perspective. The main difference is that a certified check is drawn on your account and a cashier's check is drawn on the bank's account. Cashier's checks are sometimes easier to get if you're not a customer of the bank.