You can cash a check at your own bank for free, but other banks and check-cashing services will charge you a fee

The bank that issued the check — the one printed on the front — will cash it for free even if you don't have an account there. Any other bank will charge you a fee, usually between $5 and $10. Check-cashing stores and grocery stores with check-cashing services will also charge, typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. The cheapest option is always the bank that issued the check.

If you have an account at a bank, that bank will cash checks from any other bank for free as part of your account. If you don't have a bank account, you'll need to go to the issuing bank or pay a fee somewhere else.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank whose name appears on the check will cash it for free, with or without an account.
  • Your own bank will cash checks from other banks for free if you have an account there.
  • Banks that are not the issuing bank and not your bank will charge $5 to $10 per check.
  • Check-cashing stores and grocery stores charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent.
  • You'll need a government-issued ID to cash a check anywhere.

Cashing a check at the bank that issued it

Walk into any branch of the bank whose name is printed on the check. You don't need an account. Bring the check and a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The teller will verify the check and the signature, then give you cash. This takes a few minutes and costs nothing.

If the check is large — over $10,000 — the bank will file a Currency Transaction Report with the federal government. This is routine and not a problem. If you're cashing multiple checks that add up to over $10,000 in a single day, the bank will still file the report. You don't need to do anything; the bank handles it.

If the check is written to two people (like "John Smith and Jane Smith"), both people need to be present with ID to cash it. If it says "or" instead of "and", either person can cash it alone.

Cashing a check at your own bank

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank, that bank will cash checks from any other bank for free. This is a standard service for account holders. Bring the check and your ID, and the teller will process it the same way. You can deposit it into your account or take the money in cash.

Some banks will cash checks written on other banks only during certain hours or at certain branches. Call ahead or check the bank's website to confirm the branch you're visiting does this. Most do, but it's worth verifying if you're going out of your way.

Using a check-cashing store or grocery store

Check-cashing stores and many grocery stores (like Walmart, Kroger, and others) will cash checks for a fee. The fee is usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that's $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, it's $10 to $30. The exact percentage varies by location and the type of check.

You'll need a government-issued ID and sometimes a secondary form of ID. Some stores require you to have a membership card (like a Walmart or Kroger card) to cash checks there. Call the store first to ask about their requirements and their fee.

Check-cashing stores are open longer hours than banks and on weekends, which can be useful if you need cash outside normal banking hours. But the fee makes them more expensive than the issuing bank.

What happens if the check bounces

If you cash a check and it later bounces — meaning the account it was drawn on doesn't have enough money — the bank or store that cashed it will take the money back from you. This can happen days or weeks after you cashed the check. If the money is already spent, you'll owe the difference.

The bank or store may also charge you a fee for the bounced check, usually $10 to $25. You can ask the person who wrote the check to reimburse you for the fee and any overdraft charges on your own account.

Checks written to a business or organization

If a check is written to a business name or organization, only that business or organization can cash it. You can't cash it personally, even if you work there or own it. The business needs to go to the bank with the check and a form of business identification (like an EIN letter or business license).

If you need the money from a business check, ask the business owner or manager to cash it and give you the funds, or have them deposit it into the business account and write you a personal check instead.

Cashing a check when you don't have ID

Banks and check-cashing stores require a government-issued ID. If you don't have one, you won't be able to cash a check at most places. Your options are limited: some banks may cash a check for an account holder without ID if they can verify your identity another way, but this is rare and depends on the bank's policy.

If you don't have ID, the fastest path is to contact your state's DMV about getting a state ID card. This is different from a driver's license and doesn't require you to pass a driving test. The process takes a few weeks in most states. Until then, you could ask the person who wrote the check to cash it for you, or deposit it into someone else's account if they're willing to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a bank that's not the issuing bank and not my bank?

Yes, but they will charge you a fee, usually $5 to $10. It's cheaper to go to the issuing bank or your own bank if you have an account.

What if the check is post-dated or stale?

A post-dated check (dated in the future) can legally be cashed before that date, though some banks will refuse. A stale check is one that's more than six months old; banks are not required to cash it, and most will refuse. If either is the case, contact the person who wrote the check and ask for a new one.

Do I need to endorse the check?

Yes. Sign the back of the check in the space marked "Endorse here". If you're depositing it into an account, you may just need to sign. If you're taking cash, you must sign. The teller will tell you if you need to do anything else.

What if I lost the check or it was stolen?

Contact the person or business that wrote the check and ask them to stop payment on it and issue a new one. They'll need to contact their bank. This usually costs them a fee ($25 to $35), so explain what happened. Once they've stopped payment, the old check can't be cashed.

Can I cash a check for someone else?

No. The person whose name is on the check must be present with ID to cash it. The only exception is if the check says "or" between two names instead of "and" — then either person can cash it alone. If you need to help someone cash a check, they need to go with you or you need a power of attorney document.