You can cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account, but the bank is not required to do it
Most banks will cash a check for a non-customer, but they set their own rules about it. Some will do it free. Others charge a fee—typically $5 to $10 for a personal check, sometimes more for a business check. A few banks refuse to cash checks for people without accounts at all. There is no federal rule that forces them either way.
The bank that issued the check (the one printed on the front) is your best bet. That bank has the account the check is drawn on, so they can verify the funds are there. They are more likely to cash it without a fee or with a smaller fee than a bank where you have no connection.
Your own bank will almost always cash a check drawn on any other bank, free or for a small fee depending on your account type. Some checking accounts include free check cashing as a benefit.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check (printed on the front) will usually cash it for non-customers, often free or for a small fee.
- Your own bank will cash checks drawn on other banks, and many accounts include this service at no cost.
- Banks can refuse to cash checks for non-customers, and some charge fees ranging from $5 to $10 or more.
- You will need a valid ID to cash a check at any bank, and the check must be signed and made out to you.
- If a bank refuses to cash your check, you can try another bank, deposit it into your own account, or use a check-cashing service.
How the issuing bank decides whether to cash your check
The bank printed on your check has the most reason to cash it. They control the account the money is coming from, so they know when ready whether the funds exist. They also have the strongest incentive to keep the account holder happy—refusing to cash a check can damage their relationship with their customer.
That said, even the issuing bank can set conditions. They may require a valid ID. They may refuse if the check is stale (usually more than six months old, though banks can set their own limit). They may refuse if the check is post-dated (dated in the future). Some issuing banks will cash checks only during business hours or only at the branch where the account is held.
A few banks have stopped cashing checks for non-customers entirely, usually because of fraud concerns or cost. If you call ahead, the bank can tell you their policy before you go in.
What happens when you try to cash a check at your own bank
Your bank will almost certainly cash a check for you, whether it is drawn on another bank or not. If you have a checking account, cashing checks is a basic service most banks include free. If you have a savings account only, the bank may charge a small fee or may require you to deposit it instead of cashing it.
The check must be signed and made out to you by name. If it is made out to two people (you and someone else), both people usually need to be present and sign it, though some banks will cash it if one person signs on behalf of both. If it is made out to a business, you will need to show that you are authorized to cash checks on behalf of that business.
Your bank will put a hold on the funds while they verify the check clears the issuing bank. This usually takes one to three business days, though some banks hold checks longer. You can withdraw the money once the hold lifts, not before.
Fees and when banks charge them
The issuing bank is most likely to cash a check free for a non-customer. Many do this as a courtesy. Others charge a flat fee—$5, $7, or $10 depending on the bank. A few charge a percentage of the check amount.
Your own bank typically does not charge you to cash a check, because you are a customer. Some banks include check cashing free with all accounts. Others charge a small fee only if you have a basic savings account or a prepaid card account rather than a full checking account.
Banks that are not the issuing bank and not your bank—a third bank where you have no account—are most likely to refuse or to charge the highest fee. Some will not cash checks for non-customers at all. Others charge $10 to $15 or more.
What to do if a bank refuses to cash your check
If the issuing bank refuses, try your own bank. If you do not have a bank account, you have three options: find another bank branch of the issuing bank, use a check-cashing service, or deposit the check into a prepaid card account.
Check-cashing services (sometimes called check-cashing stores) will cash almost any check, but they charge a percentage of the amount—typically 2 to 5 percent. A $100 check might cost you $2 to $5 to cash. This is more expensive than a bank fee, but faster if you need the money when ready and do not want to wait for a deposit to clear.
Some prepaid card companies let you deposit checks by photo through their app. The check clears in one to three business days, and you can withdraw the money at an ATM or use the card to spend it. This costs nothing if you already have the card.
Why banks sometimes refuse or charge fees
Banks charge fees for cashing checks for non-customers because they bear the cost and risk. They have to verify the check is real, confirm the funds exist, and wait for the check to clear the issuing bank. If the check bounces, they lose money. If the check is counterfeit, they lose money. For a customer they have no relationship with, this is a cost they do not have to absorb.
Some banks refuse entirely because the volume of non-customer check cashing became too high, or because they had fraud problems. Others refuse because they want to push people toward opening accounts. A few refuse because they do not have the staff to handle it during busy hours.
What you need to bring to cash a check
You will need a valid government-issued ID: a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Some banks accept other forms of ID, but government-issued is the standard.
The check itself must be signed by the person or business who wrote it. If it is not signed, the bank will refuse to cash it. The check must be made out to you by name—if it says "Cash" instead of your name, some banks will cash it and some will not.
If you are cashing a check on behalf of a business, you may need to show proof that you are authorized to do so: a letter from the business owner, a power of attorney, or documentation of your role at the company. Different banks have different rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank that did not issue it?
Yes, but the bank is not required to. Your own bank will almost always cash it free or for a small fee. A bank where you have no account may refuse or charge $5 to $15. The issuing bank (the one printed on the check) is your best option if you do not have your own bank account.
How long does it take to cash a check?
At the issuing bank or your own bank, cashing takes a few minutes in person. The funds are usually available when ready or within one business day. If you deposit a check instead of cashing it, the bank may hold it for one to three business days before you can withdraw the money.
What if the check is post-dated or very old?
A post-dated check (dated in the future) should not be cashed until that date, and many banks will refuse. A stale check (usually more than six months old) can be refused by the bank. If either is the case, contact the person who wrote the check and ask for a new one.
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
Not legally. A check made out to another person is not yours to cash. If the person who wrote it intended it for you, they need to write a new check in your name. If they want to give you the money another way, they can endorse it to you, but this is rare and many banks will not accept it.
What is the difference between cashing and depositing a check?
Cashing means the bank gives you cash or puts the money directly into your account when ready. Depositing means the bank holds the check while it clears, which usually takes one to three business days. Depositing is safer for the bank and often free for you; cashing is faster but may cost a fee.