Most banks will cash a check only if you have an account there, but some will cash checks for non-customers for a fee
You cannot walk into any bank and cash a check for free. Banks have different policies about who they will cash checks for. If you have an account at the bank, you can almost always cash your own checks there at no charge. If you do not have an account, the bank may still cash the check, but they will usually charge you a fee — often $5 to $15 depending on the check amount — or they may refuse entirely.
The bank that issued the check (the one printed on the check itself) is more likely to cash it for a non-customer than a random bank is. For example, if your check is drawn on Chase, Chase branches are more likely to cash it than Bank of America would be. But even the issuing bank is not required to cash checks for people without accounts, and policies vary by branch and by region.
If you do not have a bank account and need to cash a check, you have other options beyond banks — check cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart all cash checks, though they charge fees and may have limits on the check amount.
Key Takeaways
- Your own bank will cash your checks for free if you have an account there, but banks are not required to cash checks for non-customers.
- The bank that issued the check is more likely to cash it for a non-customer than other banks, but will often charge a fee of $5 to $15.
- Check cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart cash checks for non-customers but charge fees that vary by location and check amount.
- Some banks have stopped cashing third-party checks (checks made out to someone else) even for account holders, so ask before you try.
How bank check-cashing policies differ by account status
If you have a checking or savings account at a bank, that bank will cash checks drawn on any bank, at no charge. This is a standard service for account holders. You straightforward go to the teller, hand them the check, and they deposit it to your account or give you cash. Most banks do this without question.
If you do not have an account at the bank, the bank's policy depends on the individual institution. Some banks, particularly larger ones like Chase and Bank of America, will cash checks drawn on their own bank for non-customers, but they charge a fee. Smaller regional banks and credit unions may refuse to cash checks for non-customers altogether. A few banks still offer free check cashing for non-customers, but this is becoming less common.
The fee structure varies. Some banks charge a flat fee per check ($5 to $10). Others charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1 to 3 percent). A few banks waive the fee if the check is under a certain amount, like $100. You can call the bank ahead of time to ask their policy, or ask the teller when you arrive.
Why the bank that issued the check matters
The bank printed on the front of the check — the one that holds the account the check is drawn from — has the most incentive to cash it. That bank can verify the account exists, check the balance, and confirm the check is legitimate. They are also responsible for honoring the check, so they are more willing to cash it for a non-customer than a bank that has no connection to the account.
However, even the issuing bank is not legally required to cash checks for non-customers. They can refuse, and many do. If they do cash it, they will usually charge a fee. Some large banks have policies that say they will cash checks drawn on their bank for non-customers up to a certain amount (like $5,000) for a fee, but will refuse larger checks.
If you try to cash a check at a bank that did not issue it, that bank has even less reason to cash it. They have to send the check to the issuing bank to verify the funds, which takes time and costs them money. Many banks refuse to do this for non-customers.
Third-party checks and why many banks stopped cashing them
A third-party check is a check made out to someone else that you are trying to cash or deposit. For example, your employer writes a check to "John Smith," and you are trying to cash it even though your name is not John Smith. Banks used to allow this, but most have stopped.
Today, most banks will not cash or deposit third-party checks, even for account holders. The reason is fraud prevention. If a check is stolen or forged, the bank wants to know that the person cashing it is the person the check was written to. Cashing third-party checks makes that harder to verify.
If you receive a check made out to someone else, ask that person to cash it themselves and give you the money, or ask them to sign the back of the check and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. Even then, many banks will refuse. Your safest option is to ask the person who wrote the check to write a new check in your name instead.
Where to cash a check if you do not have a bank account
If you do not have a bank account or cannot get to your bank, check cashing stores will cash checks for a fee. These are standalone businesses that specialize in cashing checks, and they are found in most neighborhoods. The fee is usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, though some charge a flat fee. A $500 check might cost $10 to $15 to cash.
Grocery stores and Walmart also cash checks in their customer service departments. Walmart cashes personal checks, payroll checks, and government checks for a flat fee (usually around $3 to $6 for checks under $1,000). Grocery stores vary by chain — some cash checks for free if you are a customer, others charge a small fee. Call ahead to ask.
Check cashing stores and retailers often have limits on the check amount they will cash. Some will not cash checks over $5,000 or $10,000. They also require a valid ID, and some require a second form of ID. Bring your driver's license or state ID card, and ask what else they need before you go.
How to find out a specific bank's check-cashing policy
The fastest way to find out whether a bank will cash a check for you is to call the branch directly. Ask to speak to someone at the teller line or customer service, and tell them: "I do not have an account at your bank. Will you cash a check drawn on [bank name] for me? If so, what is the fee?" They can give you a yes or no answer and tell you the fee amount.
You can also visit the bank's website and look for their fee schedule or customer service policies. Many banks publish their check-cashing fees online. If you cannot find it, use the "Contact Us" page to email or call and ask.
If you are planning to cash a check at a branch, bring a valid government-issued ID (driver's license or state ID card). Some banks also ask for a second form of ID, like a utility bill or credit card. Ask when you call what documents you need to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank I do not use if it is drawn on that bank?
Yes, but the bank may charge you a fee of $5 to $15, and some branches may refuse. Call the bank first to ask their policy. The issuing bank is more likely to cash it than a different bank would be, but they are not required to.
What if the check is made out to my business, not my personal name?
Business checks have different rules than personal checks. Most banks require a business account to cash a business check, even if you own the business. If you do not have a business account, try a check cashing store, which may cash it for a fee. Bring your business license or EIN letter as proof you own the business.
Do I need an ID to cash a check?
Yes. Every bank and check cashing store will ask for a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or state ID card. Some also ask for a second form of ID. Bring your ID with you when you go to cash a check.
Can I cash a check if it is signed on the back by someone else?
Most banks will not cash or deposit checks that have been signed over to you by someone else, even if they wrote "Pay to the order of [your name]" on the back. Your best option is to ask the person who wrote the check to write a new check in your name instead.
What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?
If you cash a check and it bounces (the account does not have enough money), the bank or check cashing store may take the money back from your account or pursue you for the amount. If you cashed it at a store without an account, they may send the debt to a collection agency. Always make sure the check is good before you spend the money.