Not every bank will issue a certified check, and the ones that do may charge you for it.
A certified check is a personal check that your 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. When you hand it to someone, they know the check will not bounce because the bank has already promised to pay it.
Most banks that hold checking accounts can issue certified checks, but not all. Credit unions sometimes will not. Online-only banks almost never will, because they have no physical branches where you can present the check in person. If your bank does offer them, you will usually pay a fee—typically $10 to $15 per check, though some banks charge less or waive the fee if you maintain a high balance.
Key Takeaways
- Traditional banks with physical branches almost always issue certified checks; online banks and many credit unions do not.
- You must have the funds in your account before the bank will certify the check, and the bank holds that money until the check clears.
- The process takes minutes to an hour if you go in person, but mailing a certified check request can take several days.
- A certified check is not the same as a cashier's check—certified checks are drawn on your account, while cashier's checks are drawn on the bank's account.
- If your bank will not issue certified checks, a cashier's check or money order may work for the same purpose.
Which banks will and will not issue certified checks
Call your bank's main number or visit a branch and ask directly. If you have a checking account at a traditional bank—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, or a regional bank—the answer is almost certainly yes. These banks have the infrastructure to verify funds and issue the certification on the spot.
Credit unions vary. Some will issue certified checks for members; others will not. Call your credit union before you assume they can do it. Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover typically do not issue certified checks because they have no physical location where you can sign the check in front of a bank officer, which is part of the certification process.
If your bank will not issue a certified check, ask whether they offer a cashier's check instead. A cashier's check serves the same purpose—it is a may provide payment—but the bank draws it on its own account rather than yours. Most banks that will not certify personal checks will issue cashier's checks.
What you need to bring and how long it takes
Go to a branch in person with your ID and the check you want certified. You will need to know the exact amount and the payee's name. The bank will verify that you have enough money in your account, stamp the check as certified, and usually have it ready within minutes to an hour.
If you cannot go in person, some banks will certify a check by mail, but the process is slower. You mail the unsigned check to the bank with a request form, and they mail it back certified. This can take a week or more. A few banks allow you to request certification by phone or online, but you will still need to pick it up in person or have it mailed to you.
Once the check is certified, the bank sets aside the funds in your account. You cannot spend that money until the check is deposited and clears on the other end. If the check is never deposited, the hold eventually expires—usually after 60 to 90 days—and the money returns to your available balance.
When a certified check is necessary and when it is not
A certified check is most useful when you are making a large payment to someone who does not know you and wants proof the money is real. Common situations include down payments on a house or car, security deposits for rental housing, or payment to a contractor or business you have never worked with before.
A certified check is not necessary for everyday transactions. If you are paying a utility bill, a credit card, or a business you have an ongoing relationship with, a regular personal check or electronic payment is fine. If the recipient is willing to take a personal check, a certified check adds cost for no real benefit.
If the recipient says they need a certified check but you cannot get one from your bank, ask whether they will accept a cashier's check, a money order, or a wire transfer instead. Many will. If they absolutely require a certified check and your bank will not issue one, you may need to open a checking account at a bank that does.
Fees and how to avoid them
Most banks charge $10 to $15 per certified check. Some charge less—$5 to $7—and a few waive the fee entirely if you maintain a minimum balance or have a premium account. A handful of banks offer one or two free certified checks per year to all customers.
Before you pay the fee, ask your bank what it is. If the fee seems high, compare it to the cost of a cashier's check at the same bank—they are often the same price or the cashier's check is cheaper. If you need multiple certified checks, ask whether the bank offers a discount for ordering more than one at a time.
Certified check versus cashier's check versus money order
| Type | Drawn on | Who can get it | Typical cost | How long it takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified check | Your account | Anyone with a checking account at a bank that offers them | $10–$15 | Minutes to an hour in person; days by mail |
| Cashier's check | The bank's account | Anyone; you do not need an account | $10–$15 | Minutes to an hour in person |
| Money order | The issuer's account | Anyone; available at banks, post offices, and retailers | $1–$5 | when ready |
If your bank will not issue certified checks, a cashier's check is usually the best alternative. It carries the same may provide—the bank has already set aside the funds—and most recipients will accept it without question. You do not need a checking account to get a cashier's check; you just need to walk into a branch with cash or a debit card.
A money order is cheaper and faster, but it has a lower maximum amount—usually $500 to $1,000 depending on where you buy it. Use a money order for smaller payments or when the recipient does not require a bank-issued check.
What to do if your bank says no
If your bank will not issue certified checks, you have three options. First, ask whether they issue cashier's checks instead—most do, and they work for the same purpose. Second, ask the recipient whether they will accept a cashier's check, money order, or wire transfer in place of a certified check. Many will, especially if you explain that your bank does not offer certified checks.
Third, if the recipient absolutely requires a certified check and your bank will not issue one, you can open a checking account at a bank that does. This is worth doing only if you need the certified check urgently and the recipient will not accept an alternative. Opening an account takes 15 to 30 minutes, and you can request the certified check when ready after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a certified check from a bank where I do not have an account?
No. You must have a checking account at the bank to get a certified check, because the check is drawn on your account and the bank needs to verify your funds. If you do not have an account there, ask about a cashier's check instead, which you can get without an account.
How long does a certified check stay valid?
A certified check does not expire, but many recipients and banks treat checks older than six months as stale. If you are not going to use the certified check right away, ask the recipient how soon they need it and time your request accordingly.
What happens if I lose a certified check after the bank has issued it?
Contact your bank when ready and ask them to put a stop payment on it. You will likely have to pay a stop-payment fee—usually $25 to $35—and the bank may require you to sign an affidavit stating the check was lost. Once the stop payment is in place, the bank will not honor the check if someone tries to cash it.
Can I certify a check that someone else wrote?
No. A certified check must be drawn on your own account. If you need to certify a check from someone else, that person must go to their bank and request the certification themselves.
Is a certified check safer than a wire transfer?
They are different kinds of safe. A certified check is safer against the recipient's bank rejecting it, because the funds are already set aside. A wire transfer is safer against loss or theft in the mail, because it moves electronically. For large amounts, ask the recipient which they prefer.