The basic steps to cash a check
To cash a check at your bank, you need to sign the back of the check, bring it and a valid ID to a teller, and they will give you cash. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes. You do not need to have an account at that bank — most banks will cash checks for non-customers, though some charge a small fee for this service.
The back of the check has a blank space marked "Endorse here" or similar. Sign your name in that space, exactly as it appears on the front of the check. This signature tells the bank you are the person the check is written to and that you want to turn it into cash.
Bring the signed check and a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or similar — to any branch of the bank that issued the check. Walk up to the teller window and say you want to cash the check. The teller will verify the check is real, confirm your ID matches the name on the check, and count out your cash.
Key Takeaways
- Sign the back of the check in the endorsement space before you go to the bank.
- Bring a government-issued ID — the teller will not cash the check without it.
- Go to a branch of the bank printed on the front of the check for the fastest service.
- Most banks cash checks for non-customers, but some charge a fee of one to three dollars.
- If the check is written to two people, both people must sign the back and both must be present with ID.
What ID the bank will accept
The bank needs to see a photo ID that matches the name on the check. A driver's license or state ID card is the most common choice. A passport, passport card, military ID, or tribal ID also work. Some banks accept a student ID if it has a photo, but call ahead to confirm.
The name on your ID does not have to match the name on the check exactly — if you recently married and changed your name, or if a nickname appears on the check, the teller can usually work with that. Bring any marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name-change document if the names are noticeably different. If you do not have a photo ID at all, some banks will cash the check if you have a non-photo ID like a Social Security card plus a utility bill or bank statement showing your current address, but policies vary widely. Call the bank first to ask what they will accept.
Cashing a check at a bank where you don't have an account
You can walk into almost any bank branch and cash a check drawn on that bank, even if you have never been a customer there. The bank that issued the check — the name printed at the top — is responsible for paying out the money, so they will do it for anyone with a valid ID and a properly signed check.
Some banks charge a fee to non-customers, usually between one and three dollars. A few large banks do not charge at all. Call the bank's customer service number on the back of the check, or visit their website, to find out their policy before you go in. If the fee bothers you, you have other options: you can open a free checking account at that bank (many have no minimum balance), deposit the check, and withdraw the cash the same day, or you can use a check-cashing store, though those typically charge higher fees.
What happens if the check is damaged or unclear
If the check is torn, stained, or the writing is hard to read, the teller may refuse to cash it. The bank needs to be certain the check is real and that the amount is clear. If only a small corner is torn and the routing number and account number are still visible, the teller will usually cash it anyway.
If the damage is significant — if you cannot read the amount, or if the signature line is torn — ask the person who wrote you the check for a replacement. They can write a new check and void the old one. Do not try to write in missing information yourself; the bank will reject it.
Checks written to two people or a business
If the check says "John Smith and Jane Smith" or uses the word "and," both people must sign the back and both must be present with ID. The bank will not cash it if only one person signs.
If the check says "John Smith or Jane Smith," only one person needs to sign and show up. If the check is written to a business, the person cashing it must have written permission from the business owner or be an authorized signer on the business account. Bring a letter from the owner or a corporate resolution document if you are not sure the teller will recognize your authority.
Why the bank might refuse to cash your check
The most common reason a bank refuses a check is that the signature on the back does not match the signature on the front. If you signed it differently — printed instead of cursive, or used a nickname — the teller may ask you to sign again in front of them so they can compare.
A bank will also refuse a check if the date is more than six months old. Checks do not technically expire, but banks treat very old checks as stale and will not cash them without special permission from the account holder. If your check is older than six months, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to write a new one.
If the check is post-dated — dated for a future date — the bank may refuse it. Some banks will cash post-dated checks anyway, but it is safer to wait until the date on the check arrives. If you need the money now, ask the person who wrote it to write a new check with today's date.
Cashing a check without going to the bank
If you cannot get to a bank branch during business hours, you have other options. Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing stores will cash checks for a fee. Walmart, Target, and most supermarkets have check-cashing services at the customer service desk. The fee is usually two to five dollars, depending on the check amount.
Some employers will cash paychecks for employees without a fee. If you have a bank account elsewhere, you can deposit the check through a mobile app or ATM instead of going to a teller, though you will have to wait a day or two for the money to clear. If the check is from your own bank and you have an account there, you can also withdraw cash at an ATM after depositing it, though the ATM will not give you cash when ready — you have to wait for the deposit to process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check if I don't have an ID?
Most banks require a photo ID. If you do not have one, some banks will accept a combination of non-photo documents — a Social Security card plus a utility bill or lease showing your address. Call the bank first to ask what they will accept. Getting a state ID card is also an option if you need one for other reasons.
How long does it take for a check to clear?
If you cash the check at a teller window, you get the money when ready. If you deposit it into an account instead, it usually takes one to three business days for the bank to confirm the check is real and the account has enough money. Checks from the same bank sometimes clear faster, sometimes the same day.
What if the check amount is written differently in numbers and words?
If the number and the written-out amount do not match — for example, the check says "$100" but also says "one hundred fifty dollars" — the bank will refuse to cash it. The person who wrote the check needs to write a new one with matching amounts.
Can I cash a check that's made out to someone else?
Not usually. A check is a legal instruction to pay a specific person. If it is made out to someone else, that person must sign the back and be present with ID. If they want to give you the money instead, they can sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature, then you sign below that. Not all banks accept this, so call ahead.
What if the check bounces after I cash it?
If the account that issued the check does not have enough money, the check bounces. The bank will take the cash back out of your account if you deposited it, or they may contact you to return the cash if you cashed it. You are not responsible for the bounced check — the person who wrote it is — but you will lose the money either way.