While checks are not as popular as they once were, there may still be times when you have one of those rectangular pieces of paper in hand and want to have cash instead. Perhaps your great aunt Sally sent you a birthday gift or you received a refund for an overpayment from a service provider via check. The question is, where can you cash it?
Unfortunately, you can’t cash a check at any bank. You’ll likely need to go to a branch of a bank where you have an account or to the bank that the check was drawn on. There are also other places where you can cash a check, including retailers and stand-alone check cashing services. Learn the full story so you can complete this process as efficiently as possible.
Key Points
• Cashing a check at any bank depends on factors like bank policies, check type, and account status.
• When cashing a check at a bank where you don’t have an account, you may have the most success at the bank that is preprinted on the check.
• Fees may apply when cashing checks at banks where you don’t hold an account.
• Any bank may refuse to cash a check if it’s more than a few months old, you don’t have a proper ID, it looks tampered with, or the payer has insufficient funds.
• Alternatives to cashing a check at a bank include retailers, grocery stores, employers, and check cashing services.
The Basics of Check Cashing
Cashing a check generally refers to taking a check to a bank or check-cashing service and receiving the full amount of money written on it in physical cash, allowing you to spend it right away. This differs from depositing a check into your checking account, then drawing upon the funds later.
One of the most common ways to cash a check is to visit a branch of a bank where you have an account. There, you can endorse the check (or sign it on the back) and present it to a teller, along with ID and/or your debit or ATM card. Once the banker has conducted the steps they need to complete, you will receive your cash.
However, there are other options for cashing a check. You might be able to cash a check at a bank where you are not an account holder, at a retailer, or at a check cashing service (though fees may be involved).
Cashing Checks at Your Own Bank
As noted above, one of the most convenient ways to cash a check is to go to a branch of your bank where you have an account, provided they have brick-and-mortar locations. There, a teller can help you exchange your check for the amount of money written on it with a few simple steps, such as endorsing it and showing your ID.
If you bank at an online bank, you might instead deposit the check into your account using mobile deposit. Once the check clears (which typically takes one to two days), you could then withdraw the funds from an ATM in your bank’s network.
Cashing Checks at Other Banks
While banks aren’t under any obligation to cash checks for people who do not hold accounts at their institution, they may do so as a courtesy.
You’ll generally have your best chance of success by going to the bank of the person or company that wrote you the check (the institution that is pre-printed on the check). This bank may be willing to cash the check even though you are a noncustomer, provided you can show a valid ID. However, they may charge a fee, which can range between $5 and $10 or 1% to 2% of the check amount. Some banks will waive the fee if the check is under $50.
Factors Affecting Check Cashing at Different Banks
Whether or not any bank will cash a check depends on a number of factors. Here are key things to keep in mind when trying to cash a check at a bank.
• Account status: If you don’t have an account with the bank where you are trying to cash a check, your request may not be honored. You’ll have a better chance of getting the check cashed if you visit the check-writer’s bank.
• Check amount: Not all bank branches keep enough cash on hand to be able to cash a large check without advance notice. If you are seeking to cash a large check, it’s wise to call the branch ahead of time and find out if the cash is available or if you need to make an appointment.
• Date of the check: Checks are typically considered good (or able to be cashed) for anywhere from 60 to 180 days, depending on the bank. After that, you have what is known as a stale or stale-dated check, and banks may not cash it.
• Type of check: A cashier’s check (which is guaranteed by the issuing bank) can generally be cashed at any bank, though some banks charge a fee to noncustomers. It’s generally harder to cash a personal check at a bank where neither you, nor the payer, have an account.
Alternatives to Cashing Checks at Banks
If visiting a bank isn’t an option or isn’t convenient, or you’re looking to cash a check without a bank account, you still have options. Here are some to consider.
• Large retailers: You can cash certain types checks (including government and payroll checks) at Walmart and some other big-box retailers, typically for a fee. At Walmart, for example, you’ll pay $4 to cash a check up to $1,000; $8 for checks up to the $5,000.
• Grocery store chains: Some grocery stores, including Publix and Kroger, also cash checks. There may be a fee — often between $4 and $7.50 — involved, as well as a limit on the amount that can be cashed. Depending on the store, they may or may not cash personal checks.
• Your employer: Some employers will cash checks. Ask yours about their policies, limits, and any fees that might be assessed.
• Check cashing services: These are storefronts where you can cash a check and leave with the face value, typically minus a fee (which may be a flat fee or anywhere from 1% to 10% of the check amount).
• Signing the check over to someone else: As a work-around, you might sign the check over to another person (a trusted individual, such as a family member) and ask them to cash it for you. Before attempting this, it’s a good idea for the recipient to contact their bank and ask about their policies. Not all banks accept third-party checks.
Common Challenges When Cashing Checks
Unfortunately, not all instances of cashing a check will run smoothly. Here’s a look at some common reasons why a bank won’t cash your check.
• You’re not a customer: A bank is not legally required to cash a check if neither you, nor the writer of the check, don’t have an account with that bank.
• The payer has insufficient funds: Even if the check was written by someone with an account at that bank, the bank still may not cash the check if there is not enough money in the payer’s account to cover the check’s amount.
• You don’t have a valid ID: To guard against bank fraud, a bank may refuse to cash a check if you are unable to provide proper proof of identity. Be sure to bring a valid (not expired) government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
• The check is too large: Smaller branches of national banks and credit unions may not have sufficient cash on hand to cash a large check. For example, if a bank only keeps $50,000 on hand per day, it may not be able to part with a significant portion of that in a single transaction.
• The check is made out to a business name: If the check is written to a business name and you are cashing it with personal ID, the financial institution may not cash the check.
• The check is too old: Some checks state that they will become void after a certain period of time. Once that window has passed, a bank typically won’t cash the check. Legally, a bank can refuse to cash any check that is older than six months.
Fees Associated with Check Cashing
If you are considering how much it might cost you to cash a check, here’s some useful intel about the fees you might be assessed:
| Location | Check-Cashing Fee |
|---|---|
| Bank where you have an account | Typically free |
| Check-issuer’s bank | $5-$10 or 1%-2% of check amount |
| Large retailer | $1-$8 |
| Grocery store | $4-$7.50 |
| Check cashing store | 1-10% of check amount |
Legal Considerations for Check Cashing
Many people may not give check cashing much thought since it’s such a basic transaction, but there are legal considerations at work. These can protect all parties involved and help prevent check fraud.
• The person cashing a check must be the “payee” (the person to whom the check is made out), unless it’s been signed over, and that individual will usually have to present valid government-issued ID.
• If a check looks as if it’s been tampered with in any way, such as writing that is scribbled over or cross-outs that aren’t initialed, this can also trigger a closer look and possibly delay or invalidate the check cashing.
• When cashing or depositing a check over $10,000, banks are required to file a Currency Transaction Reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This is a measure designed to prevent financial crimes such as money laundering. It’s routine and, as long as the check is legitimate, nothing to worry about.
Recommended: How to Deposit Cash at an ATM
The Takeaway
Checks can be cashed at many banks, including but not limited to one where you have an account. Other locations where you can cash a check include retailers, grocery stores, your employer, and check-cashing businesses. In some cases, there may be limits and fees involved, and it’s usually important that the check is made out to you, that you have proper identification, and that the check is not deemed stale.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
Can I cash a check if I don’t have a bank account?
Yes, you can typically cash a check if you don’t have a bank account, but fees and limits may be involved. Possible locations where you can cash a check include Walmart and some other big-box retailers, grocery-store chains, your employer, and check-cashing businesses with physical locations.
What identification do I need to cash a check at a bank?
To cash a check at a bank, you usually need to present current government-issued photo ID. Examples include a passport or your driver’s license.
Is it possible to cash a post-dated check?
Yes, you may be able to cash a post-dated check (one written for a future date). A signed check is payable on demand unless the check-writer submitted a formal post-dating notice with the bank.
Photo credit: iStock/Anurak Tepkhamtai
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