How to Cash a Personal Check

Where you can cash a personal check

You can cash a personal check at your own bank, at the bank that issued the check, at a check-cashing store, or at some retail locations like grocery stores and pharmacies. Your own bank is almost always free and the fastest option — you can deposit it to your account or ask the teller to give you cash. The bank that issued the check (the one printed on the check itself) will also cash it for free, even if you don't have an account there, though they may ask for ID.

Check-cashing stores charge a fee, usually between 1 and 5 percent of the check amount, depending on the check type and the store's location. Retail locations like Walmart, Target, and some grocery stores offer check cashing for a flat fee — often $3 to $6 — but they typically have limits on how much they'll cash in a single transaction, sometimes capping it at $1,000 or $2,000. These limits vary by store and location.

If you don't have a bank account or prefer not to use one, a check-cashing store or retail location is your main option, but the fee reduces the amount you actually receive. If you have a bank account, depositing the check there costs nothing and the money usually appears within one to two business days.

Key Takeaways

• Your bank will cash a personal check for free whether you deposit it or take cash, and it's usually the fastest option.
• The bank that issued the check will also cash it free of charge, even if you're not a customer there.
• Check-cashing stores and retail locations charge fees ranging from a flat rate to a percentage of the check amount.
• Retail check cashing often has transaction limits, so very large checks may not be cashable at those locations.
• Depositing a check to your bank account is free and takes one to two business days to clear.

What information you need to cash a check

You'll need the physical check itself and a valid photo ID. The check must be made out to you by name — if it's made out to someone else, you cannot cash it. The check should not be post-dated (dated in the future); most places won't cash a check before the date on it, and some won't cash it at all if it's post-dated.

The check must have a signature from the person or business that issued it. If it's unsigned, no bank or check-cashing location will cash it. You should also check that the written amount and the number amount match — if they don't, the check is invalid and the issuer needs to write a new one.

If you're cashing the check at a location other than your own bank, bring your ID and be ready to provide your address. Some check-cashing stores may ask for additional information like a phone number or email address to complete the transaction.

How to endorse a check for cashing

Endorsing a check means signing the back of it. On the back of the check, you'll see a blank area near the left edge — this is the endorsement section. Write your signature on this line. Your signature should match the name on the front of the check as closely as possible.

If you're depositing the check into your bank account, you may also write "For deposit only" above your signature. This protects you if the check is lost or stolen, because it can only be deposited to your account, not cashed by someone else. However, this line is optional for a regular deposit.

If you're cashing the check at a teller window, you can endorse it right there, or you can endorse it beforehand. Either way works. Never sign the back of a check before you're ready to cash or deposit it, because a signed check can be cashed by anyone who has it.

Cashing a check at your bank versus other locations

Cashing at your own bank is free and when ready — you walk in, hand the teller the endorsed check and your ID, and you get cash or it goes into your account right away. There are no fees and no waiting period. If you have questions about the check or run into any issues, the teller can help you on the spot.

Cashing at the issuing bank (the bank name printed on the check) is also free, but you may wait longer if you're not a customer there. Some issuing banks will cash checks only during certain hours or at certain branches. You'll still need your ID and an endorsed check.

Check-cashing stores and retail locations are faster than waiting for a deposit to clear, but they charge a fee and may have limits on the amount. They're useful if you need cash when ready and don't have a bank account, but if you have a bank account, depositing is almost always cheaper. A check-cashing store might charge $5 on a $100 check, whereas depositing it costs nothing.

What happens if a check bounces

A check bounces when the person or business that wrote it doesn't have enough money in their account to cover it. If you cash a check that bounces, the bank will take the money back from you — either from your account if you deposited it, or they'll ask you to return the cash if you took it as cash.

If you deposited a bounced check to your account, your bank may charge you a fee for the returned check, typically $25 to $35. The person who wrote the check may also face fees from their own bank. You can contact the person who issued the check and ask them to write you a new one or repay you in another way.

To protect yourself, you can ask the person writing the check whether the funds are available, or you can wait a few days after depositing before spending the money. Some banks hold checks for a longer period before they fully clear, especially if the check is from an out-of-state bank.

Cashing a check without a bank account

If you don't have a bank account, you can cash a personal check at a check-cashing store or at a retail location like Walmart or a grocery store. You'll need your photo ID and the endorsed check. The store will charge you a fee — check-cashing stores typically charge 1 to 5 percent of the check amount, while retail locations usually charge a flat fee of $3 to $6.

Check-cashing stores are more common in urban areas and may be your only option in some neighborhoods. They're used to handling all types of checks and can usually cash larger amounts than retail locations. However, they charge more than banks do.

If you cash checks regularly and don't have a bank account, opening one might save you money in the long run. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance, so the fees you'd pay at a check-cashing store could add up to more than the cost of maintaining an account.

How long it takes to get the money

If you cash a check at your bank in person, you get the money when ready — either as cash or it appears in your account right away. If you deposit a check to your account at an ATM or through mobile deposit, the bank typically holds it for one to two business days before the money is fully available. During this time, the check is being processed and verified.

At a check-cashing store or retail location, you usually get cash when ready after the transaction is complete. There's no waiting period because you're not depositing it — you're exchanging the check for cash on the spot.

The timing can change if the check is from an out-of-state bank, if it's a large amount, or if there's a problem with the check itself. If the issuing bank needs to verify funds, it may take longer. Your bank can tell you how long a specific check will take to clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

No. A check must be made out to you by name to be cashed by you. If someone wants to give you the money from their check, they need to cash it themselves and give you the cash, or they can deposit it to their account and transfer the money to you. Some banks allow a third party to sign the back of a check, but this is rare and requires special permission.

What if the check is damaged or torn?

A slightly damaged check can usually still be cashed, but if it's torn in a way that makes the routing number, account number, or amount unclear, the bank may refuse it. If the check is severely damaged, ask the person who wrote it to issue a new one. Banks can sometimes verify the information even if the check is damaged, so it's worth trying.

Can I cash a check if I don't have a photo ID?

No. Banks and check-cashing locations require a valid photo ID to cash any check. This is a federal requirement to prevent fraud. If you don't have a photo ID, you'll need to get one before you can cash a check. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work.

How much does it cost to cash a personal check?

Cashing at your bank or the issuing bank is free. Check-cashing stores typically charge 1 to 5 percent of the check amount, which means a $100 check might cost $1 to $5. Retail locations usually charge a flat fee of $3 to $6 per check, regardless of the amount, though they may have limits on how much they'll cash.

What if I lose a check before I cash it?

Contact the person who wrote the check and tell them you lost it. They can issue a stop payment order with their bank to prevent anyone else from cashing it, and then write you a new check. There may be a small fee for the stop payment, usually $25 to $35, but it protects both of you from fraud.