Most banks don't charge you to cash your own check, but they often charge non-customers

If you have an account at the bank, cashing a check drawn on that same bank is free. The bank is moving money from one of its own accounts to you, and that costs them almost nothing. They absorb it as a service to keep your account.

If you don't have an account there, or if the check is drawn on a different bank, the picture changes. Many banks charge non-customers a fee to cash checks. The amount varies widely—some charge $5, others charge $10 or more. A few banks cash checks for free as a way to attract new customers, but this is becoming less common.

The fee depends on the bank's policy, the size of the check, and sometimes whether you have any relationship with them. There is no federal rule setting a maximum or minimum. Each bank decides.

Key Takeaways

  • Account holders at a bank can cash checks drawn on that bank for free; non-customers usually pay a fee.
  • Non-customer check-cashing fees typically range from $5 to $15, though some banks charge more for large checks.
  • Credit unions often charge lower fees than banks, and some credit unions waive fees for members of other credit unions.
  • Retail stores like Walmart, Target, and grocery chains often cash checks for $3 to $6, which is usually cheaper than a bank.
  • Check-cashing services and payday lenders charge the highest fees, sometimes 5 to 10 percent of the check amount.

Why banks charge non-customers at all

When you cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account, the bank has to verify the check is real, confirm the account it's drawn on has funds, and process the transaction—all without any ongoing relationship with you. If the check bounces, they have no way to recover the money from you. That risk is why they charge.

Banks also use check-cashing fees as a way to discourage non-customers from using their tellers. Tellers are expensive. A bank would rather you open an account or use an ATM. The fee is partly a deterrent.

Some banks have stopped cashing checks for non-customers entirely, especially at smaller branches. If you call ahead, they'll tell you whether they will do it and what it costs.

What the fees actually are at major banks

Chase charges non-customers $6 to cash a check. Bank of America charges $6. Wells Fargo charges $6 to $10 depending on the branch and the check size. Citibank charges $5 to $10. These are the banks most people encounter, and the fees are roughly consistent across them.

Smaller regional banks vary more. Some charge $3, others charge $15. A few still cash checks for free if you show ID, though this is rare. Call the specific branch before you go—fees can differ between locations of the same bank.

Credit unions are often cheaper. Many charge $2 to $5 for non-members. Some credit unions belong to shared branching networks where you can cash a check at any member credit union in the network, sometimes for free if you're a member of a participating credit union elsewhere.

Retail stores and check-cashing services as alternatives

Walmart cashes checks for $3 (personal checks) or $6 (two-party checks). Target charges $2 to $4. Most grocery store chains—Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons—cash checks for free if you have a rewards card, or for $2 to $3 if you don't. These are almost always cheaper than a bank.

Check-cashing services and payday lenders charge by percentage. They typically take 1 to 10 percent of the check amount, depending on the size and type of check. A $500 check might cost $25 to $50 to cash. These should be your last option—they're the most expensive route by far.

The trade-off with retail stores is that they have limits. Most won't cash checks larger than $5,000. They also have specific hours and may not be open when you need them. But for a routine personal check under $2,000, a grocery store or Walmart is usually your cheapest option.

How to avoid the fee altogether

The simplest way is to deposit the check into your own bank account instead of cashing it. If you have a checking or savings account anywhere, you can deposit a check for free through mobile deposit (photograph it with your phone), at an ATM, or at a teller. The money shows up in one to three business days.

If you need cash when ready and don't have an account, ask the person who wrote the check whether they can write it to a store instead—Walmart, Target, or a grocery chain—and then you can cash it there for a lower fee or free. Some people also ask the check writer to give them cash directly instead.

If you receive checks regularly, opening a free checking account at any major bank eliminates the fee forever. Most banks offer accounts with no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no direct deposit requirement. You'd pay nothing to cash checks at that bank going forward.

Two-party checks and post-dated checks cost more

A two-party check is one made out to two people (you and someone else). Banks charge more to cash these because they require both payees to be present with ID, which creates more work. Expect to pay double the normal fee—$10 to $20 at a major bank.

A post-dated check is one dated in the future. Banks usually won't cash these at all until the date on the check arrives. Some will hold it and cash it on that date; others will refuse. Call ahead if you have a post-dated check.

Checks with alterations, missing signatures, or unclear writing may also be refused or charged a higher fee. The bank's teller has to verify the check is legitimate, and anything unusual slows that down.

What happens if the check bounces after you cash it

If you cash a check and it bounces (the account it's drawn on has insufficient funds), the bank will reverse the transaction and deduct the money from your account if you deposited it, or come after you for the cash if you took it in person. You may also be charged a returned-check fee, usually $10 to $35.

This is why banks charge non-customers to cash checks in the first place. They're taking on the risk that the check is bad. If you're cashing a check from someone you don't know well, ask them to verify the funds are there first, or ask them to use a different payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bank refuse to cash a check if I don't have an account there?

Yes. Banks have no obligation to cash checks for non-customers. Many do, but some branches or banks have stopped the practice entirely. Call ahead to confirm the branch will do it and what the fee is.

Do I need to be a customer of the bank the check is drawn on to cash it?

No. You can cash a check at any bank, not just the one it's drawn on. But you'll pay a non-customer fee. The cheapest option is usually a retail store or a credit union, not a bank.

What's the difference between cashing a check and depositing it?

Cashing means you get the money in cash when ready. Depositing means the money goes into your account and you can withdraw it later, usually within one to three business days. Depositing is free; cashing costs a fee at banks where you don't have an account.

Will a bank cash a check if it's made out to someone else?

Only if that person is present with ID and signs the back of the check (an endorsement). Some banks won't do this at all. Call ahead. Retail stores almost never cash checks made out to someone else.

How long does it take to cash a check at a bank?

Usually 5 to 15 minutes if you have ID and the check is straightforward. Longer if the check is large, has two payees, or raises any red flags. Retail stores are often faster—2 to 5 minutes.