Where to Cash a Bank of America Check Without an Account

Your options for cashing a Bank of America check

You can cash a Bank of America check at any Bank of America branch, at an ATM if you have a debit card, or at a grocery store, pharmacy, or check-cashing service. The fastest and cheapest option is a Bank of America branch — you walk in, hand over the check, and walk out with cash. If you don't have a Bank of America account, you'll need to show a photo ID. Some branches may ask for a second form of ID or verification, depending on the check amount.

If you're cashing someone else's check (not a check made out to you), that's called a third-party check, and Bank of America branches will not cash it. You'll need to use a check-cashing service, grocery store, or ask the check writer to deposit it into their own account and send you the money another way.

Key Takeaways

• Bank of America branches cash their own checks for free if you show a photo ID, whether or not you have an account.
• Bank of America ATMs can cash checks if you insert a debit card, even if the card is from a different bank.
• Grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services will cash Bank of America checks but may charge a fee ranging from a few dollars to a percentage of the check amount.
• Third-party checks (checks made out to someone else) cannot be cashed at Bank of America branches and require a check-cashing service or other alternative.
• You'll need a photo ID at any location, and some places may ask for a second form of ID for larger checks.

Cashing at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours with your check and a photo ID. The teller will verify the check is legitimate, confirm your ID matches the name on the check, and hand you cash. This takes about five minutes. You do not need to have a Bank of America account — the branch will cash it anyway because the check is drawn on their bank.

Bring your driver's license, passport, or state ID. Some branches may ask for a second form of ID (like a credit card or utility bill) if the check is large or if the teller has questions. Call your local branch ahead of time if you're cashing a check for more than a few thousand dollars — some branches ask you to come during specific hours or to call ahead so they have enough cash on hand.

Cashing at a Bank of America ATM

Bank of America ATMs can cash checks if you have a debit card. Insert your card, select "Deposit" or "Withdraw", then choose "Cash a check" or a similar option (the exact wording varies by machine). The ATM will scan the check and dispense cash. This works even if your debit card is from a different bank — as long as it's a Visa or Mastercard debit card, most Bank of America ATMs will accept it.

The ATM will show you the amount it's about to dispense before you confirm. There's no fee for this service. The transaction usually completes in under a minute. If the ATM rejects the check, it will return it to you — this can happen if the check is damaged, the amount is unclear, or the signature doesn't match what the machine expects.

Cashing at grocery stores and pharmacies

Most large grocery chains (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway) and pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) will cash Bank of America checks at their customer service desk. You'll need a photo ID. The fee is usually between $2 and $5 for checks under $1,000, though some stores charge a percentage of the check amount for larger checks. Call ahead to confirm the store's check-cashing policy and hours, because not all locations offer this service.

The process is straightforward: hand the check and your ID to the cashier, they scan it or enter the amount into their system, and they hand you cash. It typically takes five to ten minutes. Some stores have daily limits on how much they'll cash in a single check or per day, so ask before you hand over the check.

Using a check-cashing service

Check-cashing stores (also called check-cashing outlets or CCOs) will cash Bank of America checks for a fee. These are independent businesses, not banks, and you'll find them in most neighborhoods — search "check cashing near me" to find one. Fees range from 1% to 5% of the check amount depending on the store and the size of the check. A $500 check might cost $5 to $25 to cash.

Bring your photo ID and the check. The cashier will verify the check is real (by calling the bank or checking a database), confirm your ID, and hand you cash minus the fee. The whole process takes ten to twenty minutes. Check-cashing services are useful if you don't have a bank account or if you need cash outside of bank hours, but they're more expensive than a bank branch.

What to do if you don't have an ID

Bank of America branches will not cash a check without a photo ID — it's a federal requirement. If you don't have a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your state's DMV. The process and cost vary by state, but most state IDs cost between $10 and $30 and take a few days to a few weeks to arrive.

In the meantime, a check-cashing service may work with alternative forms of ID (like a tribal ID, consular ID, or military ID), though policies vary by location. Call ahead to ask what they accept. If you have a bank account at any bank, you can also deposit the check into your account using mobile deposit (if your bank offers it) or by visiting a branch, then withdraw the cash from an ATM.

Cashing a third-party check

A third-party check is one made out to someone else — for example, a check made out to "John Smith" that John wants to give to you to cash. Bank of America branches will not cash third-party checks under any circumstances. This is a federal anti-fraud rule that applies to all banks.

Your options are to ask John to deposit the check into his own account and send you the money another way, or to take the check to a check-cashing service. Check-cashing services sometimes accept third-party checks, but they'll charge a higher fee (often 5% to 10% of the check amount) and may ask for ID from both the original payee and the person cashing it. Call ahead to confirm the service will accept it before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a Bank of America check at a different bank?

Most banks will not cash a check drawn on another bank unless you have an account with them. Your best option is a Bank of America branch, ATM, grocery store, pharmacy, or check-cashing service. If you have an account at another bank, you can deposit the check there and withdraw cash from an ATM.

How long does it take to cash a check at Bank of America?

At a branch, it takes about five minutes. At an ATM, it takes under a minute. At a grocery store or pharmacy, it takes five to ten minutes. At a check-cashing service, it takes ten to twenty minutes. The time depends on how busy the location is and whether the cashier needs to verify the check.

Is there a fee to cash a check at Bank of America?

No, Bank of America does not charge a fee to cash checks at their branches or ATMs. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services charge fees ranging from $2 to 5% of the check amount, depending on the location and the check size.

What if the check is damaged or torn?

A slightly damaged check may still be cashed at a Bank of America branch — the teller will look at it and decide. If it's too damaged to read the amount or the signature, the branch may refuse it. A check-cashing service or ATM may also reject it. If the check is severely damaged, ask the person who wrote it to issue a replacement check.

Can I cash a check made out to a business?

Bank of America will not cash a check made out to a business name unless you can prove you're authorized to do so (usually with business documents or a power of attorney). A check-cashing service may accept it, but call ahead. The easiest option is to deposit it into the business's bank account.