How to Cash a Cheque Without a Bank Account

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

A cheque is a written instruction to move money from one account to another. You do not need your own account to receive that money — you just need a way to turn the cheque into cash. The bank that issued the cheque (the one printed on the front) will cash it for you in person, even if you have no account there. Cheque-cashing services and some retailers will do the same, though they charge a fee and may ask for identification.

The method you choose depends on which bank issued the cheque, whether you have identification, and how much you are willing to pay in fees. Some routes are free. Others cost between 1 and 5 percent of the cheque amount, depending on the service and the size of the cheque.

Key Takeaways

The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for you in person at any branch, with no account required and no fee.
You will need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or similar) at most locations.
Cheque-cashing services charge a percentage of the cheque amount, usually 1 to 5 percent, and are faster than banks if you need cash when ready.
Some grocery stores and retailers cash cheques for customers, often with lower fees than dedicated cheque-cashing services.
Cheques take 1 to 3 business days to clear even after you receive the cash, so the funds may not be available to the person who wrote it for several days.

Cashing a cheque at the bank that issued it

The issuing bank — the one whose name and routing number appear on the cheque — must cash it for you. Walk into any branch of that bank during business hours with the cheque and a government-issued photo ID. The teller will verify the cheque is genuine, check that the account has sufficient funds, and give you cash on the spot. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs nothing.

You do not need an account at that bank. You do not need to know the person who wrote the cheque. The bank's only obligation is to the account holder, but they will cash the cheque for anyone who presents it with valid ID. If the cheque is post-dated (dated in the future), the bank will refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If the account does not have enough money, the bank will tell you the cheque cannot be cashed.

If you do not have a photo ID, some banks will still cash the cheque but may ask additional questions or require a second form of identification. Call the branch ahead to ask what they accept — policies vary by bank and by location.

Using a cheque-cashing service

A cheque-cashing service is a business that cashes cheques for a fee, usually 1 to 5 percent of the cheque amount. A $100 cheque might cost $1 to $5 to cash. The fee is higher for larger cheques and varies by location and company. Some services charge a flat fee instead of a percentage — for example, $3 per cheque regardless of amount.

These services are faster than banks if you need cash when ready. They often stay open longer hours and on weekends. You will need a photo ID and sometimes a second form of identification. The service will verify the cheque is genuine and that the account has funds, then give you cash minus the fee. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Cheque-cashing services are common in areas without many bank branches, but they are more expensive than cashing at the issuing bank. Use them only if you cannot reach the bank or need cash outside normal banking hours. Ask about the fee before you hand over the cheque — it should be posted clearly or stated by the employee.

Cashing a cheque at a grocery store or retailer

Many grocery stores, supermarkets, and large retailers (Walmart, Target, and similar chains) will cash cheques as a service to customers. The fee is usually lower than a dedicated cheque-cashing service — often $1 to $3 per cheque — and sometimes free if you are a regular customer or have a loyalty card. You will need a photo ID.

The process is the same as a cheque-cashing service: you present the cheque and ID, they verify the cheque, and you receive cash minus any fee. This takes about 10 minutes. Not all locations offer this service, so call ahead or ask at the customer service desk before you go. Some retailers only cash cheques from their own store or from customers making a purchase.

This option works best if you already shop at the store and want to avoid an extra trip. The fee is usually lower than a cheque-cashing service, and you may be able to combine it with your regular shopping.

What identification you will need

Every place that cashes a cheque will ask for identification. A government-issued photo ID is standard: a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or similar document. Some places accept a second form of ID if your photo ID is expired or if they want to verify your address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement works for this.

If you do not have a photo ID, you have fewer options. The issuing bank may still cash the cheque if you can provide other documentation, but call ahead to ask what they will accept. Cheque-cashing services and retailers are less flexible and may refuse to cash a cheque without a photo ID. If you are in this situation, your best route is to contact the bank that issued the cheque and ask what they require.

How long it takes for the cheque to clear

Cashing a cheque and the cheque clearing are two different things. When you receive cash, the cheque has not yet cleared — the money has not yet left the account it was drawn from. The person who wrote the cheque will see the transaction in their account within 1 to 3 business days, depending on their bank and the issuing bank.

This matters if the cheque is fraudulent or if the account does not actually have the funds. In rare cases, a cheque can be reversed after you have already received the cash. If this happens, the bank or cheque-cashing service may ask you to return the money. For this reason, cheque-cashing services sometimes hold the cheque for a few days before giving you the full amount, or they may give you a portion of the cash when ready and the rest after the cheque clears.

When you cannot cash a cheque

A cheque cannot be cashed if it is post-dated (dated in the future), if it is more than six months old, if it is damaged or illegible, or if the account does not have sufficient funds. A cheque with your name spelled wrong or with a name that does not match your ID may also be refused, though some banks will cash it if you can explain the discrepancy.

If the cheque is written to "cash" or to you by name, you can cash it. If it is written to someone else, you cannot cash it unless that person has signed it over to you on the back — and even then, many banks and services will refuse to cash a third-party cheque. Your best option in that case is to ask the person who received the cheque to cash it themselves, or to ask the person who wrote it to issue a new cheque in your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to go to the bank that issued the cheque, or can I go to any bank?

You must go to the bank that issued the cheque — the one printed on the front. Other banks will not cash it for you. However, if that bank has multiple branches, you can go to any branch of that bank, not just the one nearest you.

What if the cheque is written to someone else?

You cannot cash a cheque written to someone else unless they sign it over to you on the back. Even then, many banks and cheque-cashing services will refuse to cash a third-party cheque. Ask the person who received the cheque to cash it themselves, or ask the person who wrote it to issue a new cheque in your name.

Can I cash a post-dated cheque?

No. A post-dated cheque (one dated in the future) cannot be cashed until that date arrives. The bank will refuse to cash it before then. If you need the money now, contact the person who wrote the cheque and ask them to write a new one dated today.

What happens if the account does not have enough money?

The bank or cheque-cashing service will tell you the cheque cannot be cashed because there are insufficient funds. You will not receive any money. Contact the person who wrote the cheque and ask them to deposit funds or write a new cheque when they have the money.

Is it cheaper to use a cheque-cashing service or a bank?

The issuing bank is free. A cheque-cashing service or retailer charges 1 to 5 percent of the cheque amount. Use the bank if you can reach it during business hours. Use a cheque-cashing service only if you need cash outside banking hours or cannot reach the bank.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.