Your fastest options for cashing a Bank of America check

You can cash a Bank of America check at any Bank of America branch, at an ATM if the check is under $1,000, or at most grocery stores and pharmacies that have check-cashing services. If you have a Bank of America account, the branch is free and instant. If you don't have an account, you'll pay a fee—usually $6 to $15 depending on the check amount—at a non-bank location.

The method you choose depends on whether you have a Bank of America account, how much the check is for, and how quickly you need the cash. A branch is fastest if one is near you. A grocery store or pharmacy is convenient but costs money. An ATM works only for smaller checks and only if you have a Bank of America debit card.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America customers can cash checks free at any branch or deposit them instantly at an ATM.
  • Non-customers can cash checks at Walmart, grocery stores, and pharmacies, but will pay a fee of $6 to $15.
  • ATM check deposits work only for checks under $1,000 and require a Bank of America debit card.
  • Endorsing the check (signing the back) is required no matter where you cash it.
  • Mobile deposit through the Bank of America app lets account holders deposit checks from home without visiting a branch.

Cashing at a Bank of America branch

This is free and takes five to ten minutes if you have an account. Bring your ID and the endorsed check (signed on the back). The teller will verify the check and hand you cash. If you don't have an account, the branch will still cash it, but you'll pay a fee—usually $6 for checks under $1,000 and $15 for checks $1,000 or more. Non-customers must show a valid ID.

Find the nearest branch on Bank of America's website or call 1-800-432-1000. Many branches are open until 5 or 6 p.m. on weekdays and have limited Saturday hours. If the branch is closed, you cannot cash the check there, but you can deposit it at an ATM if you have a Bank of America card.

Using a Bank of America ATM

If you have a Bank of America debit card, you can deposit a check at any Bank of America ATM without visiting a teller. The check must be under $1,000, and you must endorse it first. Insert your card, select "Deposit," choose "Check," and follow the prompts. The ATM will scan the check and credit it to your account within one business day.

This method is free for account holders and works 24/7. However, it only works for checks under $1,000. If your check is larger, you must visit a branch or use mobile deposit. The ATM will reject checks that are damaged, illegible, or already endorsed by someone else.

Mobile deposit through the Bank of America app

Bank of America account holders can deposit checks from home using the mobile app. Open the app, go to "Deposit Checks," take a photo of the front and back of the endorsed check, and submit it. The app will confirm receipt and credit the funds to your account, usually within one business day.

This is free, fast, and works for checks of any amount. You don't need to visit a branch or ATM. The check must be legible in the photos, and you must endorse it before photographing. After you submit, keep the physical check for at least 30 days in case the bank needs to verify it.

Cashing at retail locations without a Bank of America account

Walmart, grocery stores, and pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens cash checks for non-customers. Fees range from $3 to $15 depending on the check amount and the store's policy. Walmart typically charges $3 for checks under $1,000 and $5 for checks $1,000 to $5,000. Grocery stores and pharmacies usually charge $6 to $10.

Bring your ID and the endorsed check. The process takes five to ten minutes. Not all locations cash checks, so call ahead or ask at the customer service desk. Some stores have limits on check amounts or will not cash checks from certain issuers. Endorsing the check means signing your name on the back, exactly as it appears on the front.

What to do if the check is damaged or has problems

If the check is torn, stained, or illegible, most places will refuse to cash it. Contact the person or company that issued the check and ask for a replacement. This usually takes three to five business days. In the meantime, do not attempt to tape or repair the check yourself—this makes it invalid.

If the check is post-dated (dated in the future), most banks and retailers will not cash it until that date arrives. If the check is stale-dated (more than six months old), the bank may refuse it. Contact the issuer to confirm the check is still good and ask for a new one if needed.

Endorsing the check correctly

Turn the check over and sign your name on the back in the space marked "Endorse here." Your signature must match the name printed on the front of the check. If the check is made out to two people (like "John and Jane Smith"), both people must sign it. If it says "John or Jane Smith," only one person needs to sign.

Do not write anything else on the back of the check unless the teller or cashier asks you to. Some places ask you to write your ID number or phone number below your signature for their records. Do this only if asked. Once you endorse the check, anyone who has it can cash it, so keep it secure until you deposit or cash it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

No. The person whose name is on the check must endorse it. If they want you to have the money, they can endorse it and then you can sign below their signature (called a third-party endorsement), but many banks and retailers refuse third-party checks because of fraud risk. The safest option is for the original recipient to deposit it into their account and transfer you the money.

What if I don't have an ID?

Most banks and retailers require a valid ID to cash a check. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you don't have one, you cannot cash the check at a retail location. Contact your bank to see if they have other options, such as depositing it into an account without an ID present.

How long does it take for a deposited check to clear?

Bank of America usually credits checks deposited at an ATM or through mobile deposit within one business day. Checks cashed at a branch are available immediately. However, the funds may not be fully cleared for up to five business days, meaning the bank can still reverse the deposit if the check bounces. Do not spend money from a deposited check until it has fully cleared.

What happens if I cash a check that bounces?

If the check has insufficient funds, the bank will reverse the deposit and deduct the money from your account. If you already spent the cash, you will owe the bank the amount of the check plus a returned-check fee, usually $25 to $35. The person who issued the check may also face overdraft fees from their own bank. Contact the issuer immediately to resolve it.

Can I cash a check at a Bank of America ATM if I don't have an account?

No. ATM check deposits require a Bank of America debit card. If you don't have an account, use a branch (and pay a fee), a retail location, or ask the check issuer for an alternative payment method like a direct deposit or wire transfer.