Chase cashes checks for account holders and non-customers, but the terms differ

Chase Bank will cash checks at any of its branches. If you have a Chase checking or savings account, you can cash checks for free during business hours. If you do not have an account, Chase will cash checks for a fee — the amount depends on the check amount and varies by location, so call your nearest branch to ask what they charge.

Chase does not cash checks at ATMs or through mobile deposit for non-customers. You must go to a branch in person with a valid government-issued ID. Chase also does not cash checks written on other banks at their branches; you would need to deposit those into an account or take them to the bank that issued them.

Some Chase branches have different hours or may refuse to cash very large checks without advance notice. Call ahead if your check is over $10,000 or if you are visiting a location you have not used before.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase account holders can cash checks free at any Chase branch during business hours with a valid ID.
  • Non-customers can cash checks at Chase branches for a fee that varies by check amount and location.
  • You must visit a branch in person with government-issued ID; Chase does not cash checks at ATMs or through mobile deposit for non-customers.
  • Chase branches do not cash checks drawn on other banks — only checks drawn on Chase accounts.
  • Large checks over $10,000 may require advance notice, so calling your branch beforehand is wise.

Check cashing fees for non-Chase customers

Chase charges non-account holders a fee to cash checks. The fee is based on the check amount and is not the same at every branch. A check for $100 might cost $5 to $10 to cash at one location and a different amount at another, depending on how that branch sets its rates.

The only way to know the exact fee is to call the Chase branch where you plan to cash the check or ask the teller when you arrive. Chase does not publish a standard fee schedule online for non-customer check cashing. Some branches may refuse to cash checks over a certain amount or may ask you to wait while they verify the check.

What ID you need and what happens if you don't have it

Chase requires a valid government-issued photo ID to cash any check. This includes a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Chase will not cash a check without this ID, even if you are an account holder.

If you do not have a government-issued ID, you cannot cash a check at Chase. You would need to deposit the check into an account instead, if you have one, or take it to the bank that issued it. Some credit unions or community banks may have different ID rules, but Chase's policy is firm on this point.

Checks that Chase will not cash

Chase will not cash checks drawn on banks other than Chase. If your check says it is from Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or any other institution, you cannot cash it at a Chase branch. You would need to deposit it into your own account at that bank or visit that bank's branch to cash it.

Chase also will not cash checks that are post-dated (dated in the future), checks with alterations or damage that makes them hard to read, checks with missing signatures, or checks that appear to be counterfeit. If a check has any of these problems, the teller will refuse it. Stale checks — checks more than six months old — are also typically refused, though some banks may still honor them.

How to cash a check at Chase if you don't have an account

Go to any Chase branch during business hours with your check and a valid government-issued photo ID. Tell the teller you want to cash the check. The teller will verify the check, confirm the funds are available, and ask you to sign the back of the check if you have not already.

The teller will then tell you the fee and ask how you want the cash — in what denominations. Once you agree, they will count out your money, subtract the fee, and hand you the remainder. The whole process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes if the branch is not busy.

If the check is very large or if the teller has questions about it, they may ask you to wait while they call the issuing bank to confirm the funds. This can add 15 to 30 minutes. If the check cannot be verified, the teller will refuse to cash it.

Chase mobile deposit and ATM check cashing

Chase mobile deposit — the feature in the Chase mobile app that lets you photograph a check and deposit it — is only for account holders. Non-customers cannot use it. The same is true for Chase ATMs: you cannot cash a check at an ATM unless you have a Chase account and the ATM is set up to dispense cash without a card (which most are not).

If you do not have a Chase account and need to cash a check, you must visit a branch in person. There is no remote or automated way to do it through Chase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a Chase ATM without an account?

No. Chase ATMs do not cash checks for non-account holders. You must visit a branch in person with a valid ID. Account holders may be able to withdraw cash at an ATM, but this is a cash advance, not check cashing.

What if the check is written to someone else?

Chase will not cash a check written to another person, even if that person signs the back and you are present. The person whose name is on the check must be the one to cash it or deposit it. This is a federal rule, not just a Chase policy.

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

Usually 5 to 10 minutes if the branch is not busy and the check is straightforward. If the teller needs to verify the check with the issuing bank, it can take 15 to 30 minutes. Very large checks may require advance notice.

Can I cash a check from another bank at Chase?

No. Chase only cashes checks drawn on Chase accounts. If your check is from another bank, you must take it to that bank's branch, deposit it into your own account, or ask the person who wrote it to write you a new check from a Chase account.

What happens if I don't have a government ID?

Chase will not cash your check without a valid government-issued photo ID. If you do not have one, you cannot cash the check at Chase. You would need to deposit it into an account instead, if you have one.