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 a bank to pay money from someone else's account to you. If you don't have a bank account, you have several ways to turn that cheque into cash. The fastest and cheapest option is usually the bank that issued the cheque — the one printed on the front. Many banks will cash cheques for non-customers at no cost, though some charge a small fee. If that bank isn't convenient, cheque-cashing services and some retailers offer alternatives, though they typically charge a percentage of the cheque amount.
The key difference between these options is speed, cost, and what documents you'll need to bring. A bank may ask for identification. A cheque-cashing service will almost certainly ask for two forms of ID and may charge 1 to 3 percent of the cheque value. A grocery store or pharmacy might cash a cheque if you have a store loyalty card, but usually only up to a set amount like $100 or $200.
Key Takeaways
- The bank printed on the cheque will often cash it for free if you show a valid ID, even if you don't have an account there.
- Cheque-cashing services charge a fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) but are open longer hours than banks and don't require an account.
- Some grocery stores, pharmacies, and Walmart locations cash cheques for customers with a loyalty card, but typically only up to $100 to $200.
- You will need at least one form of government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card) at any location.
- The person or business that wrote the cheque must have signed it, and it must be made out to your name or to "cash".
Cashing a cheque at the bank that issued it
The bank whose name appears on the cheque — usually in the top left corner — is called the issuing bank. This is the bank where the person who wrote the cheque has their account. Most issuing banks will cash the cheque for you at no charge, even if you don't have an account with them.
Walk into any branch of that bank during business hours with the cheque and a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card will work. The teller will check that the cheque is signed, that it's made out to your name, and that the signature matches the account holder's records. If everything looks correct, they'll give you the cash. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Some banks do charge a fee to cash a cheque for non-customers — typically $5 to $10. Call the bank's main number or visit their website before you go to confirm whether they charge. If they do, and the cheque is small, a cheque-cashing service might be cheaper.
Using a cheque-cashing service
A cheque-cashing service is a business that turns cheques into cash for a fee. You can find them in most towns and cities — search online for "cheque cashing near me" or look for signs in strip malls or downtown areas. They are often open longer hours than banks, including evenings and weekends.
Bring the cheque and two forms of government-issued ID. A driver's license and passport work. A provincial ID card and a health card together also work. The service will examine the cheque to make sure it's signed and made out to you, then charge you a percentage of the amount — usually 1 to 3 percent. On a $500 cheque, that's $5 to $15. They'll give you the remaining cash when ready.
The fee varies by location and by the size of the cheque. Some services charge a flat fee ($3 to $5) instead of a percentage, which is better for large cheques. Ask what they charge before you hand over the cheque. If the cheque is from a business or government agency, some services may charge more or ask additional questions to verify it's real.
Cashing a cheque at a store
Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers like Walmart will cash cheques for customers. You usually need a store loyalty card or membership, and the cheque amount is limited — often $100 to $200. Some stores cash cheques only on certain days or during certain hours.
Ask at the customer service desk whether they cash cheques and what the limit is. If they do, bring the cheque, your store card, and a photo ID. The process is the same as at a bank: they'll check that it's signed and made out to you, then give you cash. Most stores don't charge a fee for this service.
The advantage is convenience — you may already be shopping there. The disadvantage is the low limit, which means this option only works for small cheques. If your cheque is larger than the store's limit, you'll need to use a bank or cheque-cashing service instead.
What you need to bring and what can go wrong
At any location, you'll need the cheque itself and at least one form of government-issued photo ID. A driver's license is ideal. A passport, provincial ID card, or in some cases a health card will work. If you don't have photo ID, ask the location whether they accept other forms of identification — some will accept a combination of documents like a utility bill plus a health card, though this is less common.
The cheque must be signed by the person or business that wrote it. If it's unsigned, no one will cash it. The cheque must also be made out to your name, or to "cash" or "bearer" (which means anyone can cash it). If it's made out to someone else's name, you cannot cash it — that person would need to sign the back and give you permission, which is called endorsing the cheque, but many banks and services won't accept endorsed cheques from non-customers.
The cheque must not be post-dated — that is, the date on it must not be in the future. A cheque dated for next month cannot be cashed until that date arrives. If you try to cash it early, it will be refused. The cheque also cannot be stale-dated, which means more than six months old. After six months, most banks will refuse to cash it.
Comparing your options by cost and speed
| Option | Cost | Speed | Hours | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Free (usually) or $5–$10 | 5–10 minutes | Business hours only | Cheque + 1 photo ID |
| Cheque-cashing service | 1–3% of cheque amount, or flat $3–$5 | 5–10 minutes | Often evenings and weekends | Cheque + 2 forms of ID |
| Grocery store or pharmacy | Free | 5–10 minutes | Store hours | Cheque + store card + 1 photo ID |
For a small cheque under $100, a grocery store is usually your best choice if you have a loyalty card — it's free and fast. For a cheque of $100 to $500, the issuing bank is usually best if it's convenient, because it's free or cheap. For a large cheque or if you need cash outside business hours, a cheque-cashing service is worth the fee because it's reliable and available when you need it.
What happens after you cash the cheque
Once you've received the cash, the transaction is complete from your perspective. The location where you cashed the cheque will deposit the cheque into their own account or send it to the issuing bank for processing. The issuing bank will then deduct the amount from the account of the person who wrote the cheque. This process usually takes 1 to 3 business days.
If the person who wrote the cheque doesn't have enough money in their account, the cheque will bounce — the bank will refuse to pay it. If this happens after you've already received the cash, the location where you cashed it may ask you to return the money or may pursue the matter with the person who wrote the cheque. To protect yourself, only cash cheques from people or businesses you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a cheque made out to someone else?
Not without their permission. If the cheque is made out to another person, they can sign the back of it and write "pay to the order of [your name]", which is called endorsing it. However, most banks and cheque-cashing services won't accept endorsed cheques from non-customers, so this option is unreliable. The safest approach is to ask the person to cash it themselves or to deposit it into their own account and transfer you the money.
What if the cheque is post-dated?
You cannot cash a post-dated cheque before the date written on it. If you try, the bank will refuse. You'll need to wait until that date arrives, then return to cash it. If you need the money sooner, contact the person who wrote the cheque and ask them to write you a new cheque with today's date instead.
Do I need a bank account to cash a cheque?
No. You can cash a cheque at the issuing bank, a cheque-cashing service, or a store without having any bank account. However, if you receive cheques regularly, opening a bank account is usually cheaper and faster in the long run, because you can deposit cheques directly without paying fees each time.
What if the cheque bounces after I cash it?
If the person who wrote the cheque doesn't have enough money in their account, the bank will refuse to pay it. The location where you cashed it may ask you to return the cash or may try to recover it from the person who wrote the cheque. To avoid this, only cash cheques from people or businesses you know and trust.
Can I cash a cheque online?
Some banks offer mobile cheque deposit, where you photograph the cheque and upload it through their app. However, this requires having a bank account with that bank. If you don't have a bank account, you'll need to cash the cheque in person at one of the locations described above.