Walk into a branch with your ID and the check, and a teller will cash it on the spot if you have an account there
The fastest way to cash a check at Bank of America is to visit a branch in person with a valid ID and the check itself. If you have a Bank of America account, the teller will cash it immediately—no waiting period, no fees. You do not need to deposit it; you can ask for cash instead. The teller will verify the check, confirm your identity, and hand you the money.
If you do not have a Bank of America account, you can still cash a check there, but the bank will charge you a fee—currently $6 for most personal checks, though this varies by check type and your relationship to the bank. Some checks (like government checks or cashier's checks) may have different fees or no fee at all. Call your local branch first to confirm the fee for your specific check type before you go in.
Bring a government-issued ID: a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The teller will not cash the check without it. Make sure the check is made out to you and that you have signed the back of it (the endorsement area). If the check is made out to multiple people, all payees may need to be present or sign it.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America account holders can cash checks at any branch for free with just an ID and the check itself.
- Non-account holders can cash checks at Bank of America but will pay a fee, usually $6 per check.
- You must bring a valid government-issued ID; the teller will not process the check without it.
- The check must be endorsed (signed on the back) and made out to you or to you and another person.
- Some check types, like government or cashier's checks, may have different fees or no fee at all.
What happens if the check is damaged or unclear
If the check is torn, faded, or hard to read, the teller may refuse to cash it. Bank of America tellers are trained to spot checks that could be fraudulent or that lack clear information. If the routing number, account number, or amount is illegible, the bank cannot process it safely.
Ask the person who wrote the check to issue a replacement. This is faster than trying to get the bank to accept a damaged check. If the check is from a business or government agency, contact them directly for a duplicate. Keep the damaged check in case you need proof you received it.
Cashing a check without a Bank of America account
You can walk into any Bank of America branch and cash a check even if you do not have an account there. Bring your valid ID and the endorsed check. The teller will charge you a fee—typically $6 for a personal check—and give you the cash.
This option works if you need cash immediately and do not want to open an account or use another bank. However, the fee adds up if you cash checks regularly. If you cash more than one or two checks a month, opening a free checking account at Bank of America may save you money in the long run, since account holders pay no check-cashing fee.
Mobile deposit as an alternative to cashing
If you have a Bank of America account and a smartphone, you can deposit the check using the Bank of America mobile app instead of going to a branch. Open the app, select "Deposit a Check," take photos of the front and back of the check, and submit it. The funds will usually appear in your account within one business day.
Mobile deposit is useful when you cannot get to a branch or when you want the money to go directly into your account rather than taking cash. You still need to endorse the check on the back and write "For Mobile Deposit Only" below your signature. After you submit the photos, do not cash the check anywhere else—deposit it only once.
ATM check deposit for account holders
Bank of America ATMs at branches and some other locations accept check deposits. Insert your debit card, select "Deposit," and follow the prompts to insert the check. The ATM will scan it and confirm the amount. The funds typically post to your account within one business day.
ATM deposit works 24/7, so you can deposit a check at night or on a weekend without waiting for the branch to open. However, ATMs do not give you cash back—the money goes into your account. If you need cash immediately, you must go to a teller or use a different method.
What to do if the check is post-dated or stale
A post-dated check is one written for a future date. Bank of America may refuse to cash it before that date, though federal law does not require banks to honor the date. Call your branch and ask whether they will cash it early. Some tellers will; others will ask you to come back on or after the date on the check.
A stale check is one that is more than six months old. Bank of America will likely refuse to cash it, and the bank that issued it may have already stopped payment on it. If you have a stale check, contact the person or business that wrote it and ask for a replacement dated within the last six months.
Fees and limits for check cashing
Bank of America does not charge account holders to cash checks. Non-account holders pay a fee—usually $6 per personal check, though some check types (government checks, cashier's checks, traveler's checks) may be free or have a different fee. Call ahead to confirm the fee for your specific check.
There is no daily limit on the number of checks you can cash or the total amount, but the teller may ask questions if the amount is unusually large or if you are cashing many checks at once. This is standard fraud prevention. Be prepared to explain where the check came from if asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
No. Bank of America will not cash a check unless it is made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else, that person must cash it themselves or sign it over to you in writing (third-party endorsement), though many banks, including Bank of America, do not accept third-party checks anymore.
What if I do not have an ID?
Bank of America requires a valid government-issued ID to cash any check. If you do not have one, you cannot cash the check at the bank. You would need to open an account first (which also requires ID) or ask the check writer to issue payment another way, such as a direct deposit or wire transfer.
How long does it take to cash a check at the teller window?
Usually five to ten minutes, depending on how busy the branch is. The teller will verify your ID, check the check for authenticity, confirm you have endorsed it, and count out the cash. During peak hours, you may wait longer.
Can I cash a check if my account is overdrawn?
Yes. Cashing a check (receiving cash) is different from depositing it. The teller will give you the cash regardless of your account balance. However, if you deposit the check instead, the bank may place a hold on it or decline it if your account is overdrawn, depending on your account history.
What if the check amount and the written amount do not match?
The teller will refuse to cash it. The numerical amount (in the box) and the written amount (in words) must match exactly. If they do not, ask the check writer to issue a new check. Do not try to alter the check yourself—that is fraud.