You can cash a check at your own bank for free, but cashing at another bank costs money and may be refused
The short answer: your own bank will cash your check at no charge. Any other bank may refuse, or may charge you a fee of $5 to $15. Some banks will cash checks only for their own customers. Others will cash them for non-customers but charge a fee. A few will refuse altogether.
The reason is straightforward: when you cash a check at a bank that is not yours, that bank has to contact your bank to confirm the money is actually there. That takes time and work, so they charge you for it. Your own bank already knows your account, so they skip that step.
If you do not have a bank account yet, or your bank is far away, you have other options — but they usually cost more than a bank fee.
Key Takeaways
- Your own bank will cash checks drawn on your account at no cost, and this is the cheapest way to get cash from a check.
- Other banks may charge $5 to $15 to cash a check, or may refuse to cash it at all if you are not a customer.
- Check-cashing stores and grocery stores will cash checks for non-customers, but their fees are usually higher than bank fees.
- Mobile deposit — taking a photo of the check with your phone — is free at most banks and does not require you to visit a branch.
- If a check is written on a bank that no longer exists, or if the check is very old, some places will refuse to cash it.
Cashing a check at your own bank
This is always your cheapest option. Walk into any branch of your bank with the check and your ID, and they will cash it on the spot. You can ask for the money in cash, or have it deposited into your account. There is no fee.
If you do not want to visit a branch, most banks let you deposit checks by phone or computer. You take a photo of the front and back of the check with your phone, upload it through the bank's app or website, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days. This is called mobile deposit, and it is free.
Some banks also let you mail a check to them, or drop it in an ATM. Ask your bank which methods they offer.
Cashing a check at a different bank
If you try to cash a check at a bank where you do not have an account, you will likely face a fee. The amount varies — some banks charge $5, others charge $15 or more. A few banks will refuse to cash it at all.
Before you go to the counter, call the bank and ask whether they cash checks for non-customers, and what they charge. This saves you a trip if they refuse. Some banks have a policy of cashing checks only for their own customers, and no amount of asking will change that.
If the check is written on that bank — meaning the check came from someone with an account at that bank — they are more likely to cash it, because they can verify the money when ready. If the check is written on a different bank, they have to do more work, and they are more likely to charge you or refuse.
Check-cashing stores and other places
If you do not have a bank account, or if no bank near you will cash your check, you can use a check-cashing store. These are businesses that cash checks for anyone, but they charge a percentage of the check amount — usually 1% to 3%. On a $500 check, that could be $5 to $15. On a larger check, the fee is larger.
Some grocery stores and pharmacies also cash checks. Their fees are usually lower than check-cashing stores — sometimes $2 to $5 — but they may refuse checks over a certain amount, or checks written on banks they do not recognize.
Payday lenders and title loan companies also cash checks, but they charge much higher fees and are designed to trap you in debt. Avoid them if you can.
Checks that may be refused anywhere
Some checks are harder to cash, no matter where you go. A post-dated check — one dated in the future — may be refused by banks, because the money might not be there yet on the date written. A check more than six months old is considered stale, and most banks will refuse it.
If a check is written on a bank that has closed or merged, the bank that now holds those accounts may still cash it, but you may have to contact them directly. If the check is damaged, torn, or illegible, banks may refuse it.
If you are unsure whether a check will be accepted, call the bank it is written on and describe the check. They can tell you whether it is good.
What to bring when you cash a check
You will need the check itself and a form of ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. Some places also accept a military ID or tribal ID.
If you are cashing a check written to someone else — not to you — most banks will refuse. The person whose name is on the check has to be the one to cash it, or they have to sign the back of the check and give you written permission. This is called endorsement, and it is less common now because it creates fraud risk.
If you are cashing a check written to two people — "John Smith and Jane Doe" — both people usually have to be present. If it says "or" instead of "and", either one can cash it alone.
Why opening a bank account solves this problem
If you cash checks regularly, opening a bank account is worth the effort. Once you have an account, you can deposit checks for free, and you never have to pay a cashing fee again. You also get access to mobile deposit, which means you do not have to visit a branch.
Many banks offer accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Some have branches in many locations, and some let you do everything online. If you are new to banking, a community bank or credit union is often a good place to start, because staff are used to explaining how accounts work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a bank cash a check if I do not have an account there?
Some banks will, for a fee of $5 to $15. Others refuse non-customers entirely. Call ahead to ask, because policies vary by bank and sometimes by branch.
Can I cash a check written to someone else?
Not usually. The person whose name is on the check must cash it themselves, or they must sign the back and give you written permission. Most banks now refuse these third-party checks because of fraud risk.
What if the check is post-dated?
Banks may refuse to cash a check dated in the future, because the money might not be there yet. Wait until the date on the check arrives, then try again.
How long does mobile deposit take?
Most banks deposit the money within one to three business days. Some banks offer next-day deposit for certain accounts. Check your bank's app to see how long they say it will take.
Is it cheaper to use a check-cashing store or a bank?
Your own bank is free. Another bank charges $5 to $15. A check-cashing store charges 1% to 3% of the check amount, which is usually more than a bank fee on larger checks. Your own bank is always cheapest.