Bank of America cashier's check fees

Bank of America charges $15 per cashier's check if you order them in person at a branch or by phone. If you order online through your account, the fee is $10 per check. These prices apply whether you have a checking account, savings account, or money market account with the bank.

A cashier's check is a check drawn on the bank's own account and signed by a bank officer, which makes it more secure than a personal check. The recipient knows the funds are may provide because they come directly from the bank, not from your account. This is why businesses, landlords, and government agencies often request them for large transactions like down payments or tax payments.

The fee covers the bank's cost to verify your account has sufficient funds, print the check, and take on the liability if something goes wrong. You pay the fee at the time you order, whether you pick up the check the same day or have it mailed to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America charges $15 for a cashier's check ordered in person or by phone, and $10 if you order online through your account.
  • Cashier's checks are drawn on the bank's account and signed by a bank officer, making them more secure than personal checks for large transactions.
  • You pay the fee when you order the check, and the bank typically issues it the same business day if you order before cutoff time.
  • If you need multiple cashier's checks, the fee applies to each one individually, so ordering five checks costs $50 to $75 depending on your method.
  • Bank of America also offers money orders and certified checks as alternatives, each with different fees and processing times.

How to order a cashier's check from Bank of America

You can order a cashier's check three ways: in person at any Bank of America branch, by calling the bank's customer service line, or through your online banking account. In-person and phone orders both cost $15; online orders cost $10. If you go to a branch, bring your ID and the account number you want to draw from, and the teller can issue the check while you wait.

For phone orders, call the number on the back of your debit card or the customer service number listed on your account statement. You will need to verify your identity and provide the payee name, amount, and mailing address if you want the check sent to you rather than picked up at a branch.

Online ordering through your Bank of America account is the fastest and cheapest option. Log in, navigate to the checks or payment services section, and follow the prompts to request a cashier's check. The bank will typically issue it within one business day and either mail it to you or make it available for pickup at your branch.

When cashier's checks arrive and how long they take to clear

If you order a cashier's check in person before the branch closes, you can usually pick it up the same day. Phone and online orders typically take one business day to process; the bank will notify you when it is ready for pickup or will mail it to the address you provided.

Once the recipient deposits or cashes the cashier's check, it clears much faster than a personal check because the funds are already may provide by the bank. Most banks clear a cashier's check within one to two business days, though some may hold it for up to five business days depending on the amount and the recipient's bank policies.

If you need the check urgently, ordering in person at a branch is your fastest option. If you are mailing it to someone, factor in mail delivery time—typically three to five business days for standard mail within the United States.

Other check-related services and their fees

Bank of America offers certified checks as an alternative to cashier's checks. A certified check is a personal check from your account that the bank stamps and signs to certify the funds are available. The fee is typically $10 per certified check, and it takes one to two business days to process. Certified checks are less secure than cashier's checks because they still come from your personal account, but they cost less and some recipients will accept them.

The bank also sells money orders through its branches, which are useful for smaller amounts and situations where you do not want to write a check. Money order fees at Bank of America vary by amount but typically range from $5 to $10. Money orders are useful if you need to send cash to someone without giving them your account information, or if the recipient does not have a bank account to deposit a check.

If you need to stop payment on a check you have already written, Bank of America charges $35 per stop payment request. This service is useful if a check is lost or stolen, but it takes time to process and does not may provide the check will not clear if it is deposited before the stop payment takes effect.

What happens if you lose or do not receive your cashier's check

If your cashier's check is lost in the mail or you misplace it before depositing it, contact Bank of America immediately. The bank can place a stop payment on the original check and issue a replacement, though you will likely be charged another $15 or $10 depending on how you order the replacement.

To get a replacement, you will need to provide the check number, amount, payee name, and the date it was issued. The bank will verify that the original check has not been cashed. If it has already cleared, the bank cannot stop it, and you will need to recover the funds from whoever cashed it or pursue the matter through your bank's dispute process.

If the check was mailed to you and never arrived, ask the bank to reissue it to a different address or hold it for pickup at a branch instead. This avoids the risk of it being lost in transit again.

Comparing Bank of America cashier's checks to other banks

Cashier's check fees vary by bank. Some banks charge $10 to $15 per check, similar to Bank of America. Others charge $5 to $8 for customers with certain account types or higher balances. A few online banks do not charge for cashier's checks at all, though they may require you to mail the check to yourself or pick it up at a partner branch.

If you frequently need cashier's checks, it may be worth comparing fees across banks or asking whether your current account type qualifies for a fee waiver. Some premium checking accounts include free cashier's checks as a benefit. If you are a Bank of America customer primarily for other reasons, the $10 online fee is competitive, but if you are ordering in person, the $15 fee is on the higher end of the market.

For one-time needs, the difference between $10 and $15 is small. For regular business use, the cumulative cost adds up, and you might explore whether another bank or service offers better rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a cashier's check without a Bank of America account?

No. Bank of America only issues cashier's checks to account holders. If you do not have an account, you can open one at a branch or online, but you will need to fund it before ordering a check. Some other banks allow non-customers to purchase cashier's checks for a higher fee, typically $20 to $30.

What if I need a cashier's check after the bank closes?

Bank of America branches are not open 24/7, so you cannot order a cashier's check outside business hours. If you need one urgently, plan ahead and order during business hours. Some branches have extended hours on weekdays and limited Saturday hours; check your local branch schedule online.

Do I need to have the money in my account before ordering a cashier's check?

Yes. The bank verifies that your account has enough funds to cover the check amount before issuing it. If your balance is too low, the order will be declined. You can deposit funds and then order the check the same day if you arrive before the branch closes.

Can I cancel a cashier's check after I order it?

Yes, but only if the check has not been cashed. Contact the bank and ask them to cancel it. You will not get the fee refunded, but you will not be charged a second fee to cancel. If the check has already been deposited or cashed, you cannot cancel it, and you will need to pursue recovery through other means.

How much does it cost to replace a lost cashier's check?

Replacing a lost cashier's check costs the same as ordering a new one: $15 in person or by phone, $10 online. You will also need to pay for a stop payment on the original check if the bank has not already done so, which may add another $35 to the total cost.