How to Cash a Check at a Bank, Store, or Check-Cashing Service

Where you can cash a check

You can cash a check at your own bank, at another bank if you have an account there, at a check-cashing service, at some grocery stores and pharmacies, and at some retail chains. Each place has different rules about which checks they will cash, how much they charge, and whether you need an account with them.

Your bank is usually the fastest and cheapest option if you have an account there. A check-cashing service or retail location will cash checks from people without accounts, but they charge a fee — typically between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount. Some places require you to have a government-issued ID, and some will not cash checks over a certain amount.

Key Takeaways

• Your own bank will cash checks for free or for a small fee if you have an account, and this is usually the fastest method.
• Check-cashing services and retail locations will cash checks without an account, but charge a fee that ranges from $2 to $10 or more.
• You will need a government-issued photo ID at most places, and the check must be made out to you or signed over to you by the person it was made out to.
• Some checks take longer to clear than others — personal checks from individuals may take one to three business days, while cashier's checks and payroll checks usually clear the same day.
• If a check is damaged, very old, or written for an unusual amount, the place cashing it may refuse or delay the transaction.

What you need to bring

Bring the check itself and a government-issued photo ID. Most places accept a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. Some check-cashing services also ask for a second form of ID, such as a utility bill or bank statement with your name and address on it.

The check must be made out to you by name. If it is made out to someone else, that person can sign the back and write your name, then you can cash it — this is called a third-party check. However, many banks and check-cashing services no longer accept third-party checks because of fraud risk, so call ahead if this is your situation.

If you are cashing a check at a bank where you do not have an account, ask first whether they will do it. Some banks only cash checks for their own customers. If they do cash it, they may charge a fee of $5 to $15.

Steps to cash a check

At a bank or credit union where you have an account, go to the teller window with your check and ID. Hand both to the teller and tell them you want to cash the check. They will verify the check is legitimate, confirm you are the person it is made out to, and give you the money. This usually takes a few minutes.

At a check-cashing service or retail location, the process is similar: show your ID, hand over the check, and the cashier will verify it and give you cash minus their fee. Some places scan your ID and keep a record of the transaction. Ask about the fee before you hand over the check — it will be a percentage of the check amount or a flat fee, depending on the place.

If you are depositing the check instead of cashing it, you can use an ATM at your bank, a mobile app if your bank offers mobile deposit, or go to a teller. Depositing is often faster than cashing because you do not need to wait for cash to be counted out.

How long it takes for the money to be available

If you cash a check, you get the money when ready in your hand. If you deposit a check into your bank account, the money may not be available right away. Federal rules allow banks to hold checks for up to five business days, though many banks make the money available faster.

Payroll checks and government checks (like tax refunds or Social Security) usually clear within one business day. Personal checks from individuals may take two to five business days. Checks from out-of-state banks may take longer. Your bank will tell you when the money will be available — this is called the "availability date" or "clear date."

If you need the money the same day, cashing the check in person is your only option. Depositing by mobile app or ATM will not make the money available faster than the bank's standard hold period.

Fees and what they depend on

Banks usually do not charge to cash a check if you have an account with them. If you do not have an account and ask another bank to cash it, they typically charge $5 to $15. Some banks refuse to cash checks for non-customers entirely.

Check-cashing services charge between $2 and $10 for checks under $1,000, and higher percentages for larger checks. Walmart, CVS, and some other retailers also cash checks for a fee, usually $3 to $6. The fee depends on the check amount and the location. Call ahead or ask at the counter before you hand over the check.

Some check-cashing services charge extra if the check is post-dated (written for a future date), if it is a two-party check, or if it is a business check. Ask about all fees before you agree to the transaction.

When a check cannot be cashed

A check will be refused if it is post-dated (written for a date in the future), if it is stale-dated (more than six months old), if the signature is missing or does not match the ID you show, or if the amount written in numbers does not match the amount written in words. A check can also be refused if it is torn, water-damaged, or if the bank or check-cashing service suspects it is fraudulent.

If the check is written for an amount larger than the service's limit, they may refuse it or ask you to deposit it instead of cashing it. Some check-cashing services have a maximum check amount of $5,000 or $10,000.

If the check bounces — meaning the account it was drawn from does not have enough money — the place that cashed it will try to get the money back from you. You may be charged a fee and asked to repay the check amount. This is why cashing checks from people you do not know carries risk.

Alternatives to cashing a check

If you have a bank account, depositing the check is often easier than cashing it. You can deposit by mobile app, at an ATM, or at a teller window. You will not get cash when ready, but the money will be in your account within one to five business days, and you avoid the fee charged by check-cashing services.

If you do not have a bank account, opening one at a bank or credit union is cheaper than repeatedly using check-cashing services. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. Once you have an account, you can deposit checks for free and withdraw cash from ATMs.

If you receive checks regularly — from an employer, for example — ask whether they offer direct deposit. With direct deposit, your paycheck goes straight into your bank account without you having to handle a check at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at any bank?

You can cash a check at your own bank for free or a small fee. Other banks will usually only cash checks for their customers. Check-cashing services and some retailers will cash checks from anyone with a valid ID, but they charge a fee.

What if the check is made out to someone else?

The person the check is made out to can sign the back and write your name, then you can cash it with your ID. However, many banks and check-cashing services no longer accept third-party checks. Call ahead to confirm they will take it before you go in.

How do I know if a check is real?

The bank or check-cashing service will verify it. They check the routing number, account number, and signature. If you suspect a check is fake before you cash it, do not cash it — contact the person who gave it to you or the bank it is drawn from.

Can I cash a check without an ID?

No. Banks, check-cashing services, and retailers all require a government-issued photo ID to cash a check. This is a federal requirement to prevent fraud and money laundering.

What happens if I cash a check that bounces?

The bank or check-cashing service will try to recover the money from you. You will owe them the full check amount plus a fee, usually $15 to $35. If you do not repay it, they may report it to a check-verification system that other banks and retailers use.