How To Cash In a Check

Where You Can Cash a Check

You can cash a check at your bank, at the check issuer's bank, at a check-cashing store, or at some retail locations like grocery stores and pharmacies. Your own bank is usually the fastest and cheapest option — most banks cash checks for free if you have an account there. If you don't have a bank account, a check-cashing store will do it for a fee, typically between 1 and 3 percent of the check amount, though some charge a flat fee instead.

The check issuer's bank will also cash the check even if you don't bank there, though they may charge you a fee for cashing a check written on their account by someone else. Some grocery stores and pharmacies offer check cashing as a service to customers, usually for a small fee. Call ahead to confirm they cash checks and what their fee is, since not all locations do.

Key Takeaways

• You need a valid photo ID and the check itself; the check must be signed by the person who wrote it and made out to you or to you and someone else.
• Your own bank cashes checks for free if you have an account, and usually takes just a few minutes.
• Check-cashing stores charge a percentage or flat fee but don't require a bank account and are open longer hours than banks.
• The check issuer's bank will cash it, but may charge you a fee if you're not their customer.
• The check must not be post-dated (dated in the future) and should be cashed within 180 days of the date written on it.

What You Need to Bring

Bring the check itself and a valid photo ID. Your ID must show your name and match the name on the check. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. Some check-cashing stores may ask for a second form of ID or your Social Security number, so bring those if you have them handy.

The check must be signed by the person who wrote it — if it's blank where the signature goes, the teller will ask the check writer to sign it before cashing. The check must also be made out to you by name, or to you and another person together. If the check says "pay to the order of" someone else's name, you cannot cash it unless that person signs it over to you first (this is called endorsing the check).

How to Endorse a Check

If a check is made out to someone else but they want you to cash it, they need to sign the back of the check. On the back, in the area marked for endorsement (usually a white box near the top), the check writer signs their name. Below that, they write "Pay to the order of [your name]." Then you sign below that. This is called a third-party check, and some banks and check-cashing stores will not accept them, so call ahead if you're not sure.

For a check made out to you, you only need to sign the back in the endorsement area. You can sign it right there at the teller window if you haven't already. Some places ask you to write your account number or ID number below your signature, but this is optional.

Cashing a Check at Your Bank

Go to your bank during business hours with your ID and the check. Hand both to the teller and tell them you want to cash the check. The teller will verify that the check is signed, that it's made out to you, and that the amount is legible. They'll ask you how you want the cash — for example, how many twenties, tens, and fives. They'll count out the money, have you verify the amount, and give it to you.

The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes. If the check is large, the bank may put a hold on it for a day or two while they confirm the funds are actually in the account it's drawn on. If that happens, they'll tell you when the money will be available. Some banks offer mobile check deposit through their app, which lets you photograph the front and back of the check and deposit it to your account without going to a branch — the funds then appear in your account instead of as cash.

Cashing a Check at a Check-Cashing Store

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks and don't require you to have a bank account. Walk in with your ID and the check, and tell the clerk you want to cash it. They'll verify your ID, check that the check is signed and made out to you, and run it through a scanner to confirm the account has funds. The fee is usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount — so on a $100 check, you might pay $1 to $3.

Some stores charge a flat fee instead, like $5 per check regardless of size. Ask what the fee is before you hand over the check. Once you agree, they'll count out your cash and you're done. The whole visit usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Check-cashing stores are useful if your bank is closed or if you don't have a bank account, but the fee adds up if you cash checks often.

Cashing a Check at the Issuer's Bank

If the check is drawn on a bank you don't use, you can go to that bank's branch and ask them to cash it. Bring your ID and the check. The teller will verify the funds are there and give you the cash. Some banks charge a fee for this service — typically $5 to $10 — if you're not their customer. Call the bank first to ask if they charge and how much, so you're not surprised at the window.

This option is useful if you have a check from a bank with many branches near you and you want to avoid check-cashing store fees. However, if the check is large or if the account doesn't have enough funds, the bank may refuse to cash it on the spot and suggest you deposit it to your own account instead.

When a Check Cannot Be Cashed

A check cannot be cashed if it's post-dated — meaning the date written on it is in the future. You have to wait until that date arrives. A check is also considered stale if it's more than 180 days old (six months), and most banks will refuse to cash it. If you have a stale check, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to write you a new one.

If the check is damaged, torn, or the amount is illegible, the teller may refuse it. If the signature is missing or doesn't match the ID, it cannot be cashed. If the account the check is drawn on has been closed or doesn't have enough money, the bank will refuse to cash it and may charge the check writer a fee for the bounced check. In that case, you can ask the check writer to provide a different form of payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that's made out to two people?

Yes, if both names are on the check and connected by "and" (like "Pay to John and Jane Smith"). Both people usually need to be present with ID, or one person can endorse it to the other on the back. If the check says "or" between the names, either person can cash it alone. Ask the teller which applies to your check.

What if I don't have a photo ID?

Most banks and check-cashing stores require a photo ID by law. If you don't have one, you can get a state ID card from your local DMV or equivalent agency. Some check-cashing stores may accept other forms of ID like a passport or tribal ID. Call ahead to ask what they accept.

Can I cash a check if the amount is written differently in words and numbers?

If the written amount and the number amount don't match, the teller will refuse the check. Ask the check writer to write you a new check with matching amounts. This protects you and the bank from fraud.

How long does it take for a cashed check to clear?

When you cash a check, you get the money when ready. The bank then processes the check in the background, which usually takes one to three business days. If the account doesn't have enough funds, the check bounces, but you've already received the cash — the bank will contact the check writer about the bounced check, not you.

Is it cheaper to cash a check or deposit it to my account?

Depositing is free at your own bank and takes the same amount of time as cashing. The only reason to cash instead of deposit is if you need physical cash right away. If you have a bank account, depositing is always the better choice financially.