Most banks will cash a check for you even if you don't have an account with them, but they may charge a fee and require the check to be drawn on their own bank.
If the check is drawn on Bank of America and you walk into a Bank of America branch, they will almost always cash it for free, even without an account. If the check is drawn on Wells Fargo and you take it to Chase, Chase may refuse or charge you $5 to $15 to cash it. The rule is simple: your own bank cashes checks for free; other banks may not cash them at all, or will charge you.
The bank that issued the check (the one printed at the bottom) is called the drawee bank. That bank is legally responsible for the money, so they have the strongest reason to cash it. Other banks have no obligation to cash a check drawn on a competitor, and many have stopped doing so entirely because of fraud risk and the cost of verification.
Key Takeaways
- The bank printed on the check will cash it for free without an account, but you will need a photo ID and the check must not be post-dated or stale (usually more than 180 days old).
- Banks other than the drawee bank may refuse to cash checks entirely, or charge $5 to $15 per check if they do.
- Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart often cash checks for a lower fee than banks do, and do not require an account.
- Mobile deposit through a bank app or ATM deposit lets you cash a check without walking into a branch, though you will need an account for that option.
- If a bank refuses to cash a check and you have no other option, ask the check writer to deposit it into their own account and send you the money another way.
How the drawee bank decides whether to cash your check
When you walk into the bank that issued the check, they will verify that the account exists, that the check number is valid, and that the account has enough money to cover it. They do this in seconds using their own systems. Because they control the account, they can be confident the check is real.
You will need a valid photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some branches will also ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. The check cannot be post-dated (dated in the future) or stale (usually more than 180 days old). If you pass those checks, the bank will cash it.
Some banks have tightened their policies in recent years. A few large banks now cash checks only for account holders, or only for checks under a certain amount. Call the branch before you go, or ask at the counter—policies vary by location and by the size of the check.
Why other banks often refuse to cash checks
A bank that did not issue the check has no way to instantly verify it is real. They would have to contact the drawee bank, wait for confirmation, and take on the risk that the check bounces after they have already handed over cash. For a $50 check, that risk is not worth the cost of the transaction.
Fraud is also a factor. Forged checks and altered checks are common enough that banks treat any check from an unknown customer with suspicion. A bank cashing a bad check can lose the full amount, so many have decided the safest policy is to refuse entirely.
If a bank does agree to cash a check from another bank, they typically charge a fee of $5 to $15, depending on the check amount and the bank's policy. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the check amount. A few banks still cash checks for free as a courtesy, but this is becoming rare.
Check-cashing stores and retail alternatives
Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart often cash checks without requiring an account. Their fees are usually lower than bank fees—typically $1 to $5 for a personal check under $1,000. They do require a photo ID and may ask for a second form of ID.
Walmart cashes personal checks up to $5,000 for a flat fee of $3 (or $6 for checks over $5,000). Kroger, Safeway, and other major grocery chains cash checks for free or for a small fee if you have a loyalty card. Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent, which can add up on large checks.
The trade-off is convenience versus cost. A check-cashing store may be closer than the drawee bank, and the fee may be lower. But if the check is large or you cash checks often, the fees add up. If you have access to the drawee bank, cashing it there for free is always the better choice.
Mobile deposit and ATM deposit as alternatives
If you have a bank account anywhere, you can deposit a check through your bank's mobile app or at an ATM without visiting a branch. This does not help you cash the check without an account, but it is faster and more convenient than going to a branch if you do have an account.
Mobile deposit works by taking a photo of the front and back of the check through your bank's app. The bank processes the image and credits your account, usually within one business day. ATM deposit works the same way—you insert the check into an ATM and it scans and deposits it.
Both options require that you have an account with the bank. If you do not have an account, you will need to use the drawee bank, a check-cashing store, or a retail location.
What to do if the drawee bank refuses to cash your check
If you go to the bank that issued the check and they refuse to cash it, ask why. The most common reasons are that the account is closed, the check is post-dated or stale, or the account does not have enough money. If the account is closed or the check is bad, cashing it anywhere else will not help—the check will bounce.
If the bank refuses for a policy reason (for example, they only cash checks for account holders), ask if they will deposit it into a temporary account they can open for you. Some banks will do this. If not, your options are a check-cashing store, a retail location, or asking the check writer to deposit it into their own account and send you the money another way.
If the check is large and you need the money quickly, a check-cashing store is your fastest option. If the check is small and you can wait, asking the check writer to send a wire transfer or ACH payment may be simpler than dealing with a refused check.
Fees and costs to expect
| Where You Cash It | Fee | Requires Account | ID Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawee bank (the bank on the check) | Free | No | Yes |
| Other bank | $5–$15 | No | Yes |
| Walmart | $3 (under $5,000) | No | Yes |
| Grocery store (with loyalty card) | Free–$2 | No | Yes |
| Check-cashing store | 1–3% of check amount | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank branch that is not the drawee bank?
Some banks will, but many will not. If they do, they will charge a fee of $5 to $15. Call the branch first to ask their policy before you go. Walmart and grocery stores are often cheaper and more likely to cash it.
What ID do I need to cash a check?
A valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some banks ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. Bring your ID with you; no bank will cash a check without one.
How old can a check be before a bank won't cash it?
Most banks will not cash a check that is more than 180 days (about six months) old. Some banks have shorter windows. If your check is older than six months, contact the bank that issued it to ask whether they will still cash it.
Can I cash a check if it is made out to someone else?
No. A check must be cashed by the person whose name is on it, or by someone with a power of attorney. If you need to cash a check made out to someone else, that person must endorse it to you in writing on the back, and you will both need to be present at the bank.
What happens if I try to cash a check that bounces?
If the account does not have enough money, the check will be returned unpaid. If a bank or store cashed it for you, they will charge you a returned-check fee (usually $5 to $15) and may pursue you for the amount. The check writer is responsible for the bounced check, but you may have to pursue them to recover the money.