Where to Cash a Bank of America Check Without an Account

Places that will cash your Bank of America check

You can cash a Bank of America check at any Bank of America branch, at any ATM owned by Bank of America, or at thousands of retailers and check-cashing services across the country. The fastest and cheapest option is usually a Bank of America branch or ATM if you have access to one. If you don't have a Bank of America account, you'll still be able to cash the check, though some locations may ask for ID and may charge a fee.

The person or business that issued the check to you matters less than where you choose to cash it. A check drawn on a Bank of America account can be cashed at places that have no relationship to Bank of America at all — the check itself is a promise from Bank of America to pay, so any financial institution can collect on it.

Key Takeaways

• Bank of America branches and ATMs will cash Bank of America checks for free if you're a customer, and for a fee (usually $6 to $10) if you're not.
• Walmart, Target, grocery stores, and other retailers cash checks for a flat fee that's often lower than a bank's fee for non-customers.
• Check-cashing services and payday loan stores will cash your check but typically charge the highest fees of any option.
• You'll need a valid government-issued ID at almost any location, and some places may refuse checks over a certain amount or from accounts they don't recognize.
• Mobile deposit through a Bank of America app lets you deposit checks without visiting a location, though you need a Bank of America account to use it.

Cashing at Bank of America branches and ATMs

A Bank of America branch will cash any check drawn on a Bank of America account, whether or not you have an account there. If you are a Bank of America customer, cashing is free. If you are not a customer, Bank of America charges a fee — typically $6 for a check under $100 and $10 for a check of $100 or more, though this varies by location and may change.

Bank of America ATMs can also cash checks if you insert the check and request cash back. This works the same way as a branch: free for customers, a fee for non-customers. Not all ATMs have this feature, so you may need to visit a branch instead.

To find a Bank of America branch or ATM near you, use the branch locator on the Bank of America website or call 1-800-432-1000. Hours vary by location, so check before you go.

Retail stores that cash checks

Walmart, Target, grocery store chains, and many other retailers will cash checks at their customer service desk or checkout. These stores typically charge a flat fee — often $3 to $6 depending on the store and the check amount — which is frequently lower than what a bank charges non-customers.

Walmart cashes checks for $3 (for checks up to $1,000) or $6 (for checks from $1,001 to $5,000). Target charges $2 to $5 depending on the check amount. Kroger, Safeway, and other grocery chains have their own fee schedules, usually in the $2 to $4 range. These fees and limits change, so ask at the customer service desk before you cash.

You'll need a valid government-issued ID, and the store may refuse checks that are post-dated (dated in the future), stale-dated (more than 180 days old), or written for an amount the store considers too high. Some retailers also refuse checks from accounts they don't recognize or checks with missing information.

Check-cashing services and payday lenders

Check-cashing stores and payday loan businesses will cash checks, but they typically charge the highest fees of any option — often 2% to 3% of the check amount, or a flat fee of $10 to $20 or more. On a $500 check, that could be $10 to $15 in fees alone.

These services are useful if you have no other option — for example, if you need cash outside of business hours and no retailers near you cash checks. But if you can use a bank, retailer, or ATM, you'll pay less. Check-cashing services do not require an account and usually have flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

What you need to bring

Nearly every place that cashes checks requires a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Some locations may also accept a tribal ID or passport card.

Bring the check itself and nothing else — you don't need a bank account, a debit card, or any other document. If the check is made out to two people (for example, "John Smith and Jane Doe"), both people may need to be present and sign the back, though policies vary by location.

Reasons a check might be refused

A location may refuse to cash your check if it is post-dated (dated in the future), stale-dated (usually more than 180 days old), or if the signature on the back doesn't match the name on the front. Checks with missing information — no date, no amount, or illegible writing — are also commonly refused.

Some retailers and check-cashing services set their own limits on check amounts. A store might refuse to cash a check for $10,000 even if the check is valid, straightforward because their policy caps cashing at $5,000. If a location refuses your check, try another location — different businesses have different rules.

Mobile deposit as an alternative

If you have a Bank of America account, you can deposit a check using the Bank of America mobile app without visiting a branch or ATM. Open the app, select "Deposit a Check," take photos of the front and back of the check, and submit. The funds are usually available within one business day.

Mobile deposit is faster and more convenient than going to a location, but it requires a Bank of America account. If you don't have one, you'll need to use one of the other methods described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Any bank will cash a check drawn on a Bank of America account, though they may charge you a fee if you're not a customer. The fee varies by bank — some charge $5 to $10, others charge more. Call ahead to ask.

What if the check is made out to someone else?

You cannot cash a check made out to someone else unless they sign the back and you sign below their signature (called a third-party check). Many retailers and banks refuse third-party checks altogether, so ask first. The safest option is for the person the check is made out to cash it themselves.

How long does a check stay valid?

A check is generally valid for 180 days from the date written. After that, it is considered stale-dated and most banks and retailers will refuse to cash it. The person who wrote the check can issue a new one if yours has expired.

Do I need to endorse the check before cashing it?

Yes. Sign the back of the check in the endorsement area (usually a white box on the back). Most locations will ask you to sign in front of them so they can verify your signature matches your ID.

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

Cashing means you receive the full amount in cash when ready. Depositing means the money goes into a bank account and becomes available after the bank clears the check, usually within one to three business days. You need a bank account to deposit; you don't need one to cash.