Most banks will cash a check if you have an account there, but the rules depend on whose check it is, how old it is, and whether the bank knows the person who wrote it
A bank cashes a check by taking money from the account it was drawn on and giving you the cash or depositing it into your account. The bank that holds the account the check was written from — called the drawee bank — is the one that actually has to pay. Your own bank can deposit it into your account, but they cannot force the other bank to hand over cash without going through the clearing system, which takes time.
If you walk into the bank that issued the check with the check itself and a valid ID, most will cash it on the spot. If you take it to your own bank, they will deposit it, but you may not see the money for one to three business days while the two banks confirm the funds exist. If the check is old, post-dated, or written by someone the bank does not recognize, they may refuse.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check will usually cash it when ready if you have ID, but your own bank will deposit it and hold it for clearing, which takes one to three business days.
- Checks older than six months are considered stale and most banks will refuse to cash them, even if the account still has money.
- A check written for a future date (post-dated) should not be cashed before that date, and many banks will refuse to cash it early.
- If the check is damaged, the signature does not match your ID, or the amount in words does not match the numbers, the bank can refuse payment.
Cashing a check at the bank that issued it
The drawee bank — the one printed on the check — will cash it for you if you show a government-issued ID and the signature on the check matches the one on your ID reasonably well. You do not need an account there. The bank verifies the account exists and has enough money, then hands you cash or a cashier's check on the spot. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Some banks charge a fee to cash a check if you are not a customer. This fee varies widely — some banks charge nothing, others charge $5 to $15 depending on the check amount. Call ahead or ask at the counter before you hand over the check.
If the check is written to a business or organization rather than to you personally, the bank will not cash it to you. The payee name on the check must match the ID you present. If the check says "Pay to the order of John Smith" and you are Sarah Smith, the bank will refuse, even if you are related or married.
Depositing a check into your own bank account
When you deposit a check into your account, your bank becomes the middleman. They take the check, send it to the drawee bank through the clearing system, and wait for confirmation that the money is real before they let you spend it. This process is called check clearing, and it takes one to three business days depending on the banks involved and the amount.
Your bank may let you withdraw some or all of the money before clearing is complete — this is called a provisional credit. But if the check bounces (the account does not have enough money, or the account is closed), your bank will reverse the deposit and charge you a fee, usually $10 to $35. You are responsible for returning the money to your bank, not the person who wrote the check.
Mobile deposit and ATM deposit work the same way. You photograph the check or insert it into the machine, and the bank processes it through the clearing system. The hold times are the same.
Checks that banks will refuse to cash
A stale check is one that is more than six months old. Most banks will refuse to cash or deposit it, even if the account has money. The date printed on the check is the cutoff — if today is July 15 and the check is dated January 10, it is stale. Some banks may still process it if you ask, but they are not required to, and the drawee bank can refuse payment.
A post-dated check is one dated for a future date. You should not cash it before that date, and many banks will refuse to. If you deposit it, the bank may hold it until the date arrives, or they may process it when ready — the rules vary by bank. If you cash a post-dated check before the date and the account does not have the money yet, the check will bounce and you will owe the fee.
Checks with problems on the face will be refused: the signature does not match your ID, the amount in words does not match the amount in numbers, the check is torn or water-damaged, or the routing number or account number is missing or illegible. If the check says "For deposit only" and you try to cash it instead of depositing it, the bank will refuse.
What happens when a check bounces
A bounced check means the account it was drawn on does not have enough money to cover it. The drawee bank refuses payment, and your bank reverses the deposit. You lose the money you thought you had, and your bank charges you a fee — typically $10 to $35 — for processing a bad check. The person who wrote the check also gets charged a fee by their bank, usually $25 to $35.
If you deposited the check and already spent the money before it bounced, you now owe your bank the amount of the check plus the fee. If you cashed the check at the drawee bank and it later turns out the account was fraudulent or closed, the bank may pursue you for the money, though this is rare if you had valid ID and the signature matched.
Your bank will report the bounced check to ChexSystems, a checking account history database. Too many bounced checks can make it harder to open a new account at other banks.
Third-party checks and mobile deposit limits
A third-party check is one written to someone else that they sign over to you. Most banks no longer accept these because they are a common source of fraud. If you receive a check made out to someone else, ask them to deposit it into their account and send you the money, or ask the person who wrote the check to write a new one with your name on it.
Banks also set limits on how much you can deposit through mobile deposit or ATM in a single day or month. These limits vary — some banks allow $2,500 per day, others allow $10,000 or more. If you are depositing a large check, ask your bank about their limits before you try.
Cashing checks without a bank account
If you do not have a bank account, you can still cash a check at the bank that issued it by showing a valid ID. You will pay a fee if you are not a customer, but you will get cash when ready. Check-cashing stores also cash checks, but they charge higher fees — typically 2 to 5 percent of the check amount, or a flat fee of $5 to $15. For a $500 check, that could be $10 to $25.
Walmart and some grocery stores offer check-cashing services at the customer service desk. The fees are usually lower than check-cashing stores — often $3 to $6 for personal checks under $1,000. You do not need an account or membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a check take to clear?
One to three business days is standard. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. Some banks clear checks faster if both banks are in the same region or use the same clearing system, but you should assume three days if you need the money for certain.
Can I cash a check if the name on it does not match my ID exactly?
Minor differences like a middle initial or nickname may be accepted, but the bank has the right to refuse if they think the names do not match well enough. If you recently married or changed your name, bring both your old and new ID to explain the difference.
What if I lost the check or it was damaged?
If you lost it, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to stop payment on the original check and write a new one. If it is damaged but still readable, try depositing it — most banks will accept it. If the bank refuses, ask the writer for a replacement.
Can a bank refuse to cash a check from a customer of theirs?
Yes. A bank can refuse to cash a check for any reason, including if they suspect fraud, if you do not have an account there and they charge a fee you will not pay, or if the check has problems. They do not have to explain their refusal.
What is the difference between cashing and depositing?
Cashing means you get cash when ready. Depositing means the money goes into your account and you can use it after clearing, usually one to three days. Cashing is faster but you get cash; depositing is slower but the money is in your account and you have a record.