Most banks will cash a cashier's check, but not always without conditions

A cashier's check is a check drawn on the bank's own account, not yours, which makes it one of the safest forms of payment. Because the bank has already set aside the funds, most financial institutions will cash it for you. However, the bank does not have to cash it if you are not a customer, and some banks impose fees or hold periods even for their own account holders.

The key rule: the bank that issued the check will almost always cash it for free, no matter who you are. Banks that did not issue it may cash it, but they have the right to refuse, charge a fee, or place a hold on the funds.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the cashier's check will cash it for free if you present it in person with a valid ID, regardless of whether you have an account there.
  • Banks that did not issue the check may refuse to cash it, charge a fee (typically $5 to $15), or hold the funds for several business days.
  • If you do not have an account at the issuing bank, you can deposit the check into your own bank account instead of cashing it, which usually avoids fees.
  • Cashing a cashier's check at a bank branch requires a valid government-issued ID and the original check; mobile deposit is not an option for cashier's checks.
  • If the issuing bank is closed or you cannot visit in person, your own bank can deposit it to your account, though they may apply a hold.

Cashing at the bank that issued the check

The issuing bank — the one whose name appears at the top of the check — must cash it for you. This is the simplest and fastest route. Walk into any branch of that bank with the original check and a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). The teller will verify the check and hand you cash on the spot, with no fee and no hold.

You do not need an account at that bank. The bank has already reserved the money when it issued the check, so cashing it is simply releasing those funds to you. This is true even if the check was issued years ago, as long as it has not been reported lost or stopped.

If the issuing bank has no branch near you, you can call the bank's customer service line and ask whether they will cash it by mail or at a different branch. Some banks will mail you a check for the amount, though this adds time.

Cashing at a bank where you do not have an account

Banks that did not issue the check are under no obligation to cash it. Many will, but they may charge a fee, place a hold on the funds, or refuse outright. The fee typically ranges from $5 to $15, depending on the bank's policy. Large national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) often cash cashier's checks for non-customers, though policies vary by branch.

Before you go to the branch, call ahead and ask whether they will cash a cashier's check for a non-customer and what their fee is. This saves a wasted trip. Bring the original check and a valid ID.

If the bank agrees to cash it, they may place a hold on part or all of the funds. A hold means the money is in your possession but you cannot withdraw it for a set number of days — usually one to five business days. During that time, the bank is verifying that the check is genuine and that the issuing bank will actually pay it.

Depositing instead of cashing

If you have a bank account, depositing the cashier's check is often faster and cheaper than cashing it at a bank where you do not have an account. Your own bank will deposit it to your account with no fee, and you can use the funds as soon as the hold period ends — typically one to three business days for a cashier's check, which is faster than for personal checks.

You can deposit a cashier's check in person at a branch, at an ATM (if your bank supports check deposit at ATMs), or through mobile deposit if your bank's app supports it. However, mobile deposit does not work for cashier's checks at most banks. Call your bank or check their app to confirm whether they accept cashier's checks through mobile deposit. If they do not, you will need to visit a branch or ATM.

Depositing also creates a record in your account, which is useful if you need proof of the transaction later.

What happens if you cannot visit the issuing bank in person

If the issuing bank has no branch in your area or you cannot visit during business hours, you have two options: deposit the check into your own account, or contact the issuing bank to ask about mailing or remote cashing.

Depositing into your account is the fastest route. Your bank will send the check to the issuing bank for collection, and the funds will appear in your account after the hold period ends. This usually takes three to five business days for a cashier's check.

Some banks will cash a cashier's check by mail if you call and request it. They will send you instructions for mailing the check and a form to sign. This process takes longer — typically one to two weeks — because the check has to travel through the mail and the bank has to process it manually.

Holds and verification delays

When you deposit or cash a cashier's check at a bank other than the issuing bank, the receiving bank may place a hold on the funds. The hold period depends on the bank's policy and the amount of the check. For cashier's checks, holds are typically shorter than for personal checks because cashier's checks are may provide by the bank itself.

A hold does not mean the check has been rejected. It means the bank is waiting for the issuing bank to confirm that the funds are available. During the hold, you can see the deposit in your account, but you cannot withdraw the money. Once the hold lifts, the funds are yours to use.

If the issuing bank reports that the check is fraudulent or has been stopped, the receiving bank will reverse the deposit and the funds will be removed from your account. This is rare with cashier's checks, but it can happen if the check was reported lost or stolen.

Fees and when they apply

Cashing a cashier's check at the issuing bank is always free. Cashing it at a different bank may cost $5 to $15, depending on the bank. Depositing it into your own account is free, regardless of which bank issued the check.

Some banks waive the cashing fee if you are a customer or if the check is above a certain amount. Ask the teller before they process the check. If the fee seems high, you can decline and deposit the check into your own account instead, which will cost nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a cashier's check at an ATM?

Most ATMs do not dispense cash for cashier's checks. You will need to visit a branch in person. Some banks allow you to deposit a cashier's check at an ATM, but this requires the ATM to have a check deposit slot and your bank to support it. Call your bank to confirm.

What if the cashier's check is made out to someone else?

A cashier's check is payable to the person or business named on it. If your name is not on the check, the bank will not cash it or deposit it to your account. The person named on the check must either cash it themselves or sign it over to you in writing (called a third-party endorsement), though many banks no longer accept third-party checks.

How long is a cashier's check good for?

Cashier's checks do not expire, but banks may refuse to cash very old checks (typically older than six months to a year) without verification. If your cashier's check is old, contact the issuing bank first to confirm they will still honor it.

What if I lost the cashier's check?

Contact the bank that issued the check immediately. They can place a stop payment on it and issue a replacement. You will likely need to sign an affidavit stating that the check was lost. There may be a fee, and the process can take several days to a few weeks.

Can I deposit a cashier's check to a different bank than where it was issued?

Yes. You can deposit a cashier's check into any bank account you own. The receiving bank will send it to the issuing bank for collection, and the funds will appear in your account after the hold period ends, usually within three to five business days.