You can cash a cheque at the bank that issued it, at a cheque-cashing service, or sometimes at the store where you shop

The bank that issued the cheque — the one printed in the bottom left corner — will cash it for you even if you don't have an account there. You'll need to show a photo ID, sign the back of the cheque in front of the teller, and the bank will give you cash on the spot. This is the fastest and cheapest option if there's a branch near you.

If you can't get to that bank, a dedicated cheque-cashing service will convert it to cash for a fee, usually between 1 and 5 percent of the cheque amount depending on the service and the cheque size. Grocery stores and pharmacies sometimes offer cheque cashing too, though usually only for smaller amounts and only if you have a store loyalty card or account with them.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for free if you bring photo ID and sign the back in front of the teller.
  • Cheque-cashing services charge a percentage fee (typically 1 to 5 percent) but don't require you to have an account anywhere.
  • Grocery stores and some pharmacies cash cheques for customers, but usually only for amounts under a certain limit and with a loyalty card.
  • Mobile cheque deposit through a bank's app lets you deposit without visiting a branch, but you'll need a bank account to use it.
  • The issuer's bank is always your cheapest option because it charges nothing and processes the cheque when ready.

Cashing at the bank that issued the cheque

Walk into any branch of the bank whose name appears at the bottom left of the cheque. You don't need an account with them. Tell the teller you want to cash the cheque, and they'll ask for a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card. Sign the back of the cheque on the line marked "Endorse here" while the teller watches. They'll verify the cheque is genuine, check that the signature on the front matches your ID, and hand you cash.

This takes about five minutes. The cheque clears when ready because you're cashing it at the issuing bank itself — there's no waiting period. There's no fee. The only catch is you have to go in person during business hours, and you need a valid photo ID. If the cheque is post-dated (dated for a future date), the bank will refuse to cash it until that date arrives.

Using a cheque-cashing service

Dedicated cheque-cashing businesses exist in most towns and cities. They cash cheques for people without bank accounts, and they don't require you to have an account with them. You bring the cheque and a photo ID, sign the back, and they give you cash minus their fee. The fee is usually a percentage of the cheque amount — for a $500 cheque, expect to pay $5 to $25 depending on the service.

The advantage is convenience: cheque-cashing services often have longer hours than banks and more locations. The disadvantage is cost. If you're cashing a small cheque, the percentage fee can be steep. Some services also charge a flat fee per cheque rather than a percentage, so ask before you hand over the cheque. A few services will hold the cheque for a day or two before giving you cash, so they can verify it's real — ask about their policy upfront.

Cashing cheques at grocery stores and pharmacies

Many large grocery chains and pharmacy chains offer cheque cashing as a service to customers. Stores like Walmart, Costco, Loblaws, and Shoppers Drug Mart will cash cheques, but the rules vary by location and by store. Most require you to have a loyalty card or store account, and most set a maximum cheque amount — often $1,500 to $2,500. Some charge a small fee; others don't.

Call the store near you and ask whether they cash cheques, what the limit is, and whether you need a card. If you do this while you're shopping, you can cash the cheque at the customer service desk. The process is the same: show your ID, sign the back, and you get cash. The advantage is that you're already there, and there's usually no fee. The disadvantage is the amount limit and the requirement for a store card.

What you need to bring to cash a cheque

A valid photo ID is required everywhere. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, provincial ID card, or in some cases a work ID with a photo. The ID must not be expired, and the name on the ID must match the name on the cheque. If the cheque is made out to a slightly different version of your name — "Robert" instead of "Bob", or "Sarah Smith" instead of "Sarah J. Smith" — you may still be able to cash it, but the teller or service will ask you to confirm it's your money.

Bring the physical cheque itself. You cannot cash a photo or a digital copy. The cheque must be signed by the person or business that issued it — if it's blank or unsigned, no one will cash it. If the cheque is damaged, torn, or the writing is unclear, some places will refuse it. If you've already signed the back, that's fine, but many places prefer you to sign in front of them so they can watch you do it.

Why you might not be able to cash a cheque

A cheque can be refused for several reasons. If the account it's drawn on has been closed or has insufficient funds, the cheque will bounce — the bank will refuse to cash it and you'll get nothing. If the cheque is post-dated (dated for a future date), you have to wait until that date to cash it. If the cheque is stale-dated — more than six months old — banks are not required to cash it and usually won't.

If the cheque is made out to someone else, you cannot cash it. A cheque is a legal instruction to pay a specific person, and cashing a cheque made out to someone else is fraud. If the cheque is made out to two people with "and" between the names, both people usually have to sign and be present. If it says "or", either person can cash it alone. If you're unsure, ask the teller — they deal with this every day.

Alternatives if you can't cash the cheque right away

If you need the money but can't get to a bank or cheque-cashing service when ready, you have a few options. Some employers will cash your paycheque on the spot if you ask — it's worth asking your payroll department. Some landlords or utility companies will accept a post-dated cheque as payment, meaning they won't cash it until the date you write on it, giving you time to get to a bank.

If you're in a real bind, you can ask the person who issued the cheque to cancel it and send you the money another way — by bank transfer, cash, or a new cheque. This is not always possible, but it's worth asking. Some cheque-cashing services also offer payday loans or cheque advances, where they give you most of the cheque's value when ready and take a larger fee — avoid this if you can, because the fees are high.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's cheque if they sign the back?

No. A cheque is made out to a specific person, and only that person can cash it. If someone else signs the back, that's called a third-party cheque, and most banks and cheque-cashing services will refuse it because it creates legal liability. The person whose name is on the cheque has to be the one who cashes it.

What happens if the cheque bounces after I cash it?

If the account has no money, the bank will refuse to pay the cheque. If you've already received cash, the bank or cheque-cashing service will contact you and ask for the money back. If you don't repay it, they can pursue you legally. This is rare with cheques from employers or established businesses, but it can happen with personal cheques.

Do I need to endorse the cheque before I cash it?

You need to sign the back of the cheque, but you can do it right there in front of the teller or service. Most places prefer you to sign in front of them so they can verify your signature matches your ID. Don't sign it before you arrive — sign it at the moment you're cashing it.

How long does it take to cash a cheque at the issuing bank?

Five to ten minutes. The teller will verify the cheque, check your ID, watch you sign the back, and hand you cash. Because you're cashing it at the bank that issued it, there's no clearing time — the money is available when ready.

Can I cash a cheque made out to my business if I don't have a business bank account?

The issuing bank will usually require the cheque to be cashed by the business itself, not by you personally. A cheque-cashing service may cash it if you have ID matching the business name, but this varies. Your best option is to ask the person who issued the cheque to reissue it in your personal name instead.