No, you cannot cash a personal check at any bank. Most banks will only cash checks drawn on their own accounts, or will charge you a fee if you don't have an account there. Some will refuse outright.
If the check is drawn on Bank of America, you can cash it at Bank of America branches for free. If it's drawn on Chase, you go to Chase. The bank that issued the check to the person who wrote it is the one most likely to cash it without friction.
If you try to cash it at a different bank—one that didn't issue the account the check came from—you'll either pay a fee (usually $5 to $15), face a long hold on the funds, or be turned away. Some banks have stopped cashing third-party checks altogether because of fraud risk.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check (the one printed on the check itself) will cash it for free if you have an account there, and usually for a fee if you don't.
- Banks that did not issue the check often charge $5 to $15 to cash it, or refuse to cash it at all.
- Cashing a check at the issuing bank without an account usually requires a valid ID and may take a few minutes to verify.
- If you have a checking account anywhere, depositing the check is faster and free than cashing it, even if the account is at a different bank.
- Check-cashing services, grocery stores, and Walmart offer alternatives when you need cash when ready and don't want to use a bank.
How to cash a check at the bank that issued it
Go to a branch of the bank whose name is printed on the check. Bring the check and a valid photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Tell the teller you want to cash the check.
If you have an account at that bank, the teller will verify the check and hand you cash. If you don't have an account, the teller will still cash it in most cases, but may ask questions about where the check came from and may charge you a fee. The fee varies by bank; some charge nothing, others charge $5 to $15. Ask before they process it.
The teller will verify that the check is real and that the account it's drawn on has enough money. This usually takes a few minutes. If the check is large or if there's any question about it, the bank may put a hold on the funds for a day or two before giving you the cash.
What happens when you try to cash a check at a different bank
If the check is drawn on Bank of America but you walk into a Wells Fargo branch, Wells Fargo has no obligation to cash it. Many banks will refuse. Others will cash it but charge you a fee of $5 to $15 because they have to verify the funds with another bank and take on the risk that the check bounces.
Even if they agree to cash it, they may put a longer hold on the funds—sometimes up to 10 business days—because they're not the issuing bank and can't verify the account when ready. During that hold, the money is in their system but you can't access it.
Your best option at a non-issuing bank is to deposit the check into your own account instead of cashing it. Deposits usually clear faster than cashes at a third-party bank, and there's no fee. If you need the cash when ready, use a check-cashing service instead.
Cashing a check without a bank account
If you don't have a bank account, you have three main options: go to the issuing bank, use a check-cashing service, or use a retail location.
The issuing bank is still your best bet. Bring the check and a valid ID. You'll likely pay a fee if you don't have an account, but it will be smaller than what a check-cashing service charges, and the teller can verify the check is real on the spot.
Check-cashing services charge 1% to 3% of the check's value, sometimes with a flat fee instead. A $500 check might cost you $5 to $15 to cash. They're open longer hours than banks and don't require an account, but they cost more. Look for one near you by searching "check cashing near me."
Walmart, grocery stores, and some pharmacies also cash checks. Fees are usually $3 to $6 for personal checks under $1,000. These are convenient if you're already shopping, but the fee is still higher than cashing at the issuing bank.
Why banks refuse to cash some checks
Banks have become stricter about cashing checks because of fraud. A check can look real but be counterfeit, or the account it's drawn on might be closed or frozen. If a bank cashes a bad check, they lose the money.
Some banks now refuse to cash any check drawn on another bank, even for customers with accounts. Others will only cash checks drawn on accounts at their own bank. This policy protects them but makes it harder for you.
If a teller refuses to cash your check, ask why. If it's because you don't have an account there, try the bank that issued the check. If the issuing bank also refuses, the check itself may have a problem—it could be post-dated (dated in the future), stale-dated (more than 6 months old), or actually fraudulent.
Depositing a check instead of cashing it
If you have a checking or savings account at any bank, depositing the check is usually faster and always free, even if the check is drawn on a different bank. You can deposit it in person at a branch, through a mobile app, or at an ATM.
Mobile deposit—taking a photo of the check with your phone—is the fastest option. The funds usually appear in your account within one business day. In-person deposits at a branch or ATM may take one to three business days.
The only downside is that you don't get cash when ready. If you need the money in your account but not in your hand, depositing is the right move. If you need physical cash, you can withdraw it from an ATM after the deposit clears.
Checks that are harder or impossible to cash
Some checks come with built-in problems. A post-dated check—one dated in the future—cannot legally be cashed until that date arrives. A stale-dated check—one more than 6 months old—may be refused by banks, though they're not required to refuse it. A check with "for deposit only" written on the back can only be deposited into an account, not cashed.
Third-party checks—checks made out to someone else that you're trying to cash—are increasingly refused by banks because of fraud risk. If a check is made out to "John Smith" and you're not John Smith, most banks won't touch it. Ask the person who received the check to deposit it themselves or sign it over to you in writing (though even then, many banks will refuse).
If a check has any of these issues, your options narrow. The issuing bank is your only realistic choice, and even they may refuse. In that case, you'll need to contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write you a new one or send the money another way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank that didn't issue it?
Some banks will cash it for a fee of $5 to $15, but many refuse entirely. Your best option is to go to the bank whose name is on the check. If you have an account anywhere, depositing the check is free and usually faster.
What ID do I need to cash a check?
A valid photo ID—driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some banks may ask for additional information if the check is large or if there's any question about it, but a photo ID is the baseline requirement.
How long does it take to cash a check?
At the issuing bank, usually a few minutes. At a different bank, it may take longer because they have to verify the funds with another institution. If the bank puts a hold on the check, you won't get the cash for one to ten business days.
What if the check is made out to someone else?
Most banks will not cash a check made out to another person, even if that person signs it over to you. Your best option is to ask the person who received the check to deposit it into their own account and send you the money another way.
Is it cheaper to use a check-cashing service or a bank?
The issuing bank is cheapest—free if you have an account there, or a small fee if you don't. Check-cashing services charge 1% to 3% of the check's value. Walmart and grocery stores fall in between at $3 to $6 per check.