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 printed on the cheque will cash it for you even if you don't have an account there. You'll need to show a photo ID, and the teller will verify the cheque is legitimate before handing over cash. This is the fastest and cheapest option if a branch is near you — there's no fee, and you get your money when ready.
If you can't reach the issuing bank, a cheque-cashing service will convert it to cash for a fee, usually between 1% and 5% of the cheque amount. Some grocery stores and pharmacies also cash cheques for customers, sometimes free and sometimes for a small charge. The trade-off is convenience: you pay to avoid the bank, but you lose a percentage of the money.
A third option is to open a basic bank account specifically to deposit the cheque, then withdraw the cash. This takes longer but costs nothing if you use a no-fee account. The choice depends on how much the cheque is for, how quickly you need the money, and what services are actually available near you.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for free if you show a photo ID, regardless of whether you have an account.
- Cheque-cashing services charge 1% to 5% of the cheque amount but are open longer hours than banks and don't require an account.
- Some grocery stores and pharmacies cash cheques for free or a flat fee if you shop there, so ask before paying a percentage.
- Opening a no-fee bank account to deposit the cheque costs nothing but takes several business days for the money to clear.
- Bring a photo ID and the unsigned cheque to any location; never sign it until you're ready to cash it.
Cashing a cheque at the issuing bank
Walk into any branch of the bank whose name appears on the cheque. Tell the teller you want to cash it. You'll need to show a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card all work. The teller will check that the cheque is real, that the account it's drawn on has enough money, and that it hasn't been reported lost or stolen.
The whole process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You get cash on the spot, and there's no fee. The only catch is that the bank must be open — most branches close by 5 p.m. on weekdays and don't open on Sundays. If the cheque is large or unusual in any way, the teller might ask questions or put a hold on it while they verify it, which can add time.
If you don't know which bank issued the cheque, look at the top left corner of the front. The bank's name and routing number are printed there. If the branch is far away, you can call ahead to confirm they'll cash it, though most will.
Using a cheque-cashing service
Cheque-cashing businesses are designed for people without bank accounts. They're usually open longer than banks — often until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays — and some are open on Sundays. You bring the unsigned cheque and a photo ID, and they verify it the same way a bank does.
The fee varies. For a personal cheque, expect to pay 1% to 3% of the amount. For a payroll cheque, it's often lower — sometimes 1% or flat $2 to $5. For a government cheque, the fee might be higher, around 3% to 5%. A $500 cheque might cost you $5 to $25 depending on the type and the service.
Find cheque-cashing services by searching online for "cheque cashing near me" or by asking at your local convenience store or pawn shop — many of them cash cheques or can direct you to one that does. Compare fees before you go in; they vary widely between locations. Some services also offer money transfers, bill payments, or short-term loans, but focus on the cheque-cashing fee first.
Cashing a cheque at a retail store
Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers will cash cheques for customers. Walmart, Costco, and most major supermarket chains offer this service. The fee is usually lower than a dedicated cheque-cashing service — often $2 to $5 flat, or sometimes free if you're a regular customer or a member.
Call ahead or ask at the customer service desk to confirm they cash cheques and what their fee is. You'll need a photo ID and the unsigned cheque. Some stores limit the amount they'll cash in a single cheque, so if yours is very large, ask about that too. The process is quick — usually 5 to 10 minutes — and you get cash when ready.
This option works best if you already shop at the store and the cheque is under $1,000. For larger amounts, the issuing bank is usually faster and cheaper.
Opening a bank account to deposit the cheque
If you have time and want to avoid fees entirely, open a no-fee chequing account at any bank. Many banks offer accounts with no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no overdraft charges. You can open one online or in person in about 15 minutes.
Once the account is open, deposit the cheque. The bank will put a hold on it — usually 1 to 5 business days for a personal cheque, longer for a cheque from out of province or from a business you don't know. Once the hold clears, withdraw the cash at an ATM or at the teller window. You pay nothing for the account or the withdrawal.
This route makes sense if you're not in a hurry and the cheque is large enough that a percentage fee would be significant. It also gives you a place to keep money going forward, which can be useful even if you don't use the account regularly.
What to do if the cheque is damaged or unclear
If the cheque is torn, stained, or hard to read, the bank or cheque-cashing service may refuse it. Ask the person who gave you the cheque to issue a replacement. Don't try to repair it with tape or write on it — that makes it look fraudulent and will definitely get it rejected.
If the cheque is post-dated (dated in the future), you can't cash it until that date arrives. The bank or service will refuse it before then. If the cheque is stale-dated (more than six months old), most banks won't cash it either. Ask the issuer for a new cheque if either of these is the case.
If the signature on the cheque doesn't match the name printed on it, or if the amount written in words doesn't match the amount in numbers, the bank will reject it. These are signs of fraud, and the bank has to refuse. Contact the person who wrote the cheque and ask them to issue a corrected one.
Comparing your options by cost and speed
| Option | Cost | Speed | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Free | 5–10 minutes | Weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m., some Saturdays |
| Cheque-cashing service | 1%–5% of cheque amount | 5–10 minutes | Often until 8–9 p.m., some Sundays |
| Retail store | $2–$5 flat or free | 5–10 minutes | Store hours (often 7 a.m.–11 p.m.) |
| Bank account deposit | Free | 1–5 business days | Online anytime; ATM withdrawal anytime |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the cheque before I cash it?
No. Sign it only when you're at the location where you're cashing it, right in front of the teller or cashier. This protects you if the cheque is lost or stolen before you cash it. If you sign it early and someone else finds it, they can forge your name and cash it themselves.
What if the cheque is made out to someone else?
You can't cash it. The person whose name is on the cheque has to be the one who cashes it or deposits it. If they want to give you the money, they have to cash it first and give you cash, or they have to sign it over to you — but most banks won't accept a cheque signed over by someone else. Ask the original recipient to cash it and give you the money.
Can I cash a cheque if I don't have a photo ID?
No. Banks and cheque-cashing services are required by law to verify your identity before cashing a cheque. A photo ID is the standard proof. If you don't have one, you'll need to get a provincial ID card or passport first. This can take weeks, so plan ahead.
What happens if the cheque bounces after I cash it?
If you cash a cheque at the issuing bank and it bounces, the bank will reverse the transaction and take the money back. If you already spent it, you'll owe the bank. If you cash it at a cheque-cashing service and it bounces, the service will try to recover the money from you. Keep the receipt and ask what their policy is on bounced cheques before you cash it.
Is there a limit to how much I can cash?
Banks usually have no limit for cheques cashed in person. Cheque-cashing services and retail stores often limit single cheques to $1,000 or $5,000 depending on the location. Ask before you go in if your cheque is large. If it's over the limit, you can deposit it in a bank account instead and withdraw the money over time.