Bank of America cashier's check fees

Bank of America charges $10 for a cashier's check if you have a Bank of America checking or savings account. If you do not have an account with them, the fee is $15. These are the standard fees as of the most recent update, though fees can change and may vary slightly by state or branch.

A cashier's check is a check drawn on the bank's own account rather than yours, which is why the recipient treats it as may provide funds. The bank holds the money when you request the check, so there is no risk the check will bounce. This makes cashier's checks useful for large purchases, security deposits, or situations where the recipient will not take a personal check.

You can order a cashier's check in person at any Bank of America branch during business hours. Some branches may also allow you to order one by phone or through online banking, though availability varies. If you need the check the same day, going to a branch in person is the most reliable method.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America charges $10 per cashier's check for account holders and $15 for non-account holders.
  • The bank draws the check on its own account, so the recipient receives may provide funds with no risk of the check bouncing.
  • You can order a cashier's check in person at a branch, and some branches offer phone or online ordering depending on your account type.
  • The check is typically ready the same business day if you order in person, though processing time may vary by branch.

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

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and account information. Tell the teller you need a cashier's check and provide the name of the payee (the person or business the check is written to), the amount, and the date you need it. The teller will confirm the fee, deduct the amount plus the $10 fee from your account, and issue the check on the spot.

Bring your debit card or account number so the teller can pull up your account quickly. If you do not have your account number memorized, your debit card works just as well. The teller will ask you to verify the payee name and amount before printing the check, so double-check these details before you leave the branch.

If you are not an account holder, you will need to bring cash or a debit card to pay for the check and the $15 fee. The bank will not draw the funds from an account you do not have, so payment must be made at the time of the order.

Processing time and when you will have the check

If you order a cashier's check in person during business hours, you will usually have it the same day. Most branches print cashier's checks on demand, so you can walk out with the check in hand. If you order late in the day or near closing time, the branch may issue it the next business day, but same-day service is standard.

If you order by phone or through online banking (where available), processing may take one to two business days. Not all Bank of America branches offer remote ordering, so call your local branch first to ask whether they can process a phone or online order. If they cannot, you will need to visit in person.

Once you have the check, it is valid for six months from the date it was issued. After six months, the check expires and the recipient cannot cash it. If you need to replace an expired check, you will have to order a new one and pay the fee again.

What information you need to provide

You must tell the teller the full legal name of the payee exactly as they will sign the check. If the payee name is misspelled or incomplete, the recipient may not be able to cash the check. For a business, use the exact legal business name, not a shortened version or nickname. If you are unsure of the exact name, ask the recipient before you go to the bank.

You also need to specify the exact dollar amount. The teller will print this amount in both numbers and words on the check. If the amount is wrong, you cannot alter it — you will have to order a new check and pay another fee.

Some recipients may ask you to leave the payee line blank so they can fill it in themselves, or they may ask you to make the check payable to multiple names. Bank of America can do both, but tell the teller your preference before the check is printed. Once printed, the check cannot be changed.

Alternatives to a cashier's check

If you want to avoid the $10 fee, consider a money order instead. Money orders are available at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and post offices for $1 to $3 depending on the amount. They work similarly to cashier's checks — the issuer guarantees the funds — but they are cheaper and available outside of banking hours.

A wire transfer is another option if the recipient has a bank account. Wire transfers move money directly from your account to theirs within hours, and there is no physical check to lose or deposit. Bank of America charges $15 to $30 for a domestic wire transfer depending on whether you do it online or in person, so this is more expensive than a cashier's check but faster for large amounts.

If the recipient will take a personal check and you are not in a rush, simply writing a check from your own account costs nothing. The downside is that the recipient has to wait for the check to clear, which can take three to five business days, and they bear the risk if the check bounces.

What happens if you lose or damage the check

If you lose a cashier's check before the recipient cashes it, contact Bank of America immediately. The bank can place a stop payment on the check, which prevents anyone else from cashing it. You will then need to order a replacement check and pay the $10 fee again.

The bank may ask you to sign an indemnity agreement, which is a legal document stating that you lost the check and are requesting a replacement. This protects the bank if the original check shows up and someone tries to cash both. Processing a replacement after a stop payment can take several business days, so plan ahead if you need the check urgently.

If the check is damaged but still readable — for example, if it got wet or torn slightly — most recipients will still cash it. If it is too damaged to read, bring it back to the bank and ask for a replacement. The bank may or may not charge another $10 fee depending on the circumstances, so ask before they issue the new check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a cashier's check online and pick it up at a branch?

Some Bank of America branches allow online ordering for cashier's checks, but not all. Call your local branch to ask whether they offer this service. If they do, you can order online and pick up the check at the branch, usually within one business day. If your branch does not offer online ordering, you will need to visit in person.

What if the payee name on the check is wrong?

If you notice the error before you leave the branch, tell the teller immediately and they can issue a new check. If you discover the error after you leave, you will need to go back to the bank and order a replacement. The bank will charge another $10 fee for the new check. Always verify the payee name with the recipient before ordering to avoid this.

Do I need an appointment to get a cashier's check?

No appointment is required. Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours and ask a teller for a cashier's check. Wait times vary by branch and time of day, but the process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. If you want to avoid a wait, call ahead and ask when the branch is least busy.

Can someone else pick up my cashier's check if I cannot go to the branch?

No. Bank of America requires the person ordering the check to be present and provide ID. You cannot have someone else order it on your behalf. If you cannot visit the branch yourself, ask whether your branch offers phone or online ordering, though this is not available at all locations.

Is a cashier's check safer than a wire transfer?

Both are safe, but in different ways. A cashier's check is a physical document that the recipient must deposit or cash, so there is a paper trail. A wire transfer moves money directly between bank accounts and is faster, but once sent, it cannot be reversed if you make a mistake. For large amounts, wire transfers are faster; for situations where you need a physical document, a cashier's check is more practical.