Where you can cash a check depends on who issued it and what you have available

You can cash a check at your own bank for free if you have an account there. You can also cash it at another bank if you have an account with them, though some charge a fee. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services will cash checks for you without an account, but they charge a fee — usually between $1 and $10 depending on the check amount. Some employers and government agencies will cash their own checks at their offices or payment centers. The fastest option is usually your own bank, since they can verify the check when ready.

Before you go anywhere to cash a check, make sure you have signed the back of it. Your signature goes on the back, on the line marked "Endorse here" or similar. Without your signature, no one will cash it. You will also need a form of identification — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Some places ask for two forms of ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank cashes checks for free if you have an account; other banks may charge $5 to $15 per check.
  • Grocery stores and pharmacies cash checks without an account but charge a fee, usually $2 to $5 for personal checks.
  • You must sign the back of the check and bring a valid ID before anyone will cash it.
  • Check-cashing services charge higher fees than banks or stores but stay open longer hours and may cash checks other places refuse.
  • Mobile check deposit through your bank's app lets you deposit checks without going anywhere, though the money may not be available for one or two business days.

Cashing a check at your own bank

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank, you can walk in during business hours, sign the back of the check, and hand it to a teller along with your ID. The teller will verify the check and give you cash. This takes about five minutes. There is no fee. If the check is from the same bank, they can verify it when ready. If it is from another bank, they may put a hold on the funds for one to five business days, meaning you cannot withdraw the money when ready, but you can still get cash that day — the bank is just protecting itself in case the check bounces.

Some banks let you cash checks through an ATM if you have a debit card, though this only works for checks from the same bank. You insert the check and your card, and the ATM reads it. Not all ATMs have this feature, so call your bank first or look for the check-deposit slot at your branch.

Cashing a check at another bank

If you do not have an account at the bank that issued the check, you can still cash it there. Walk in with the signed check and your ID, and ask a teller to cash it. The bank may charge you a fee — typically $5 to $15 — because you are not a customer. Some banks refuse to cash checks for non-customers entirely, so call ahead if you want to be sure. The process is otherwise the same as cashing at your own bank.

Cashing at the issuing bank is useful if the check is large or if you need the money the same day. The bank can verify the check when ready since it is their own check, so there is no hold.

Cashing a check at a grocery store or pharmacy

Most grocery stores and pharmacies have check-cashing services at the customer service desk. You do not need an account anywhere. Bring the signed check and your ID, and they will cash it for you. The fee is usually $2 to $5 for a personal check, though it may be higher for larger amounts or for checks from out of state. Some stores limit the amount they will cash — for example, $1,000 or $2,000 maximum.

The advantage is convenience: these places are often open longer than banks and are located in your neighborhood. The disadvantage is the fee and the limit. If your check is larger than the store's limit, you will need to go to a bank instead.

Using a check-cashing service

Check-cashing services are businesses that cash checks for a fee. They are common in areas where banks are far away or where many people do not have bank accounts. The fee is usually higher than at a grocery store — often $5 to $15 depending on the check amount — but check-cashing services will cash checks that banks or stores refuse, such as two-party checks or checks with minor errors. They also stay open longer, including evenings and weekends.

To use a check-cashing service, bring the signed check and your ID. Some services ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. The process takes about ten minutes. If the service cannot verify the check when ready, they may give you a portion of the money that day and hold the rest until the check clears, which usually takes one to three business days.

Depositing a check without going to the bank

If you have a bank account and do not need cash when ready, you can deposit a check using your bank's mobile app. Take a photo of the front and back of the signed check, upload it through the app, and the bank deposits it into your account. This is called mobile check deposit. There is no fee, and you can do it from home at any time.

The drawback is that the money is not available right away. Most banks hold mobile deposits for one or two business days before you can withdraw the funds. Some banks hold them longer, especially for large checks or checks from out of state. Check your bank's policy or ask a teller. If you need the money the same day, you will need to go to the bank in person or use one of the other methods above.

What to do if a check will not cash

A check may be refused if it is post-dated (dated in the future), if the signature on the back does not match the name on the front, if the check is more than six months old, or if the account it is drawn on has been closed. If a bank or store refuses your check, ask why. If the problem is something you can fix — like a missing signature or a date error — you may be able to correct it and try again.

If the check is from an employer or government agency and it will not cash, contact the issuer directly. They can issue a replacement check or tell you what the problem is. If the check is personal and the person who wrote it is unreachable, you may have no option but to wait or contact a lawyer, depending on the amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check without a signature on the back?

No. You must sign the back of the check before anyone will cash it. Your signature is called an endorsement and proves the check is yours to cash. If you cash a check without signing it, you are breaking the law.

How long does it take for a check to clear?

If you cash a check at the bank that issued it, it clears the same day. If you deposit it at a different bank or through mobile deposit, it usually takes one to five business days. Banks are required to make at least the first $225 available within one business day, but the rest may take longer.

What if the check amount is written differently on the numbers line and the words line?

The bank will use the amount written in words, since that is considered the legal amount. If the two amounts are very different, the bank may refuse the check or contact the issuer. Ask the person who wrote the check to issue a new one with matching amounts.

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

Only if that person signs the back and you both go to the bank together. This is called a third-party check. Many banks and stores refuse to cash third-party checks because of fraud risk. Your best option is to ask the person who wrote the check to write a new one in your name instead.

What happens if I cash a check that bounces?

If the account the check is drawn on does not have enough money, the check bounces. The bank will take the money back from your account and charge you a fee, usually $15 to $35. You are responsible for returning the money to the person who gave you the check.