You can cash a cheque without a bank account at several places, but each has different requirements and fees
A cheque is a written instruction to a bank to pay money from someone else's account to you. If you don't have a bank account, the bank that issued the cheque (called the drawee bank) will still cash it for you in person, usually for free. You can also cash it at a cheque-cashing service, a retailer, or sometimes at your employer's office — but these routes charge fees and may ask for ID or proof of identity.
The fastest and cheapest option is almost always the bank that issued the cheque. Walk in with the cheque and a government-issued photo ID, and you'll usually walk out with cash the same day. If you don't have photo ID, most banks will still cash it but may ask for additional documents or put a hold on the funds while they verify the cheque.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for free if you bring the original cheque and a government-issued photo ID.
- Cheque-cashing services and retailers charge a percentage of the cheque amount (typically 1 to 5 percent) to cash it without a bank account.
- If the cheque is made out to someone else, most places will not cash it unless that person endorses it on the back and provides ID.
- Cheques can take one to three business days to clear even after you receive cash, so the funds may not be available immediately if you deposit them elsewhere later.
- A government-issued photo ID is the fastest way to prove who you are, but a combination of documents (utility bill, birth certificate, passport) can work if you don't have one.
Cashing at the bank that issued the cheque
The drawee bank — the bank printed on the cheque — must cash the cheque for the person it's made out to. This is free and usually takes minutes. Bring the original cheque and a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, provincial ID card). The teller will verify the cheque is real, check that the signature matches the account holder's records, and hand you cash.
If you don't have photo ID, the bank may still cash it but will ask for additional proof of identity. This could be a utility bill, lease agreement, birth certificate, or a combination of documents. The bank may also place a hold on the funds — meaning they'll give you the cash but won't let you spend it for a day or two while they confirm the cheque won't bounce. Ask the teller upfront what documents they need and whether a hold will apply.
If the cheque is post-dated (dated in the future), the bank will not cash it until that date arrives. If it's stale-dated (more than six months old), most banks will refuse to cash it, though some will contact the account holder to confirm it's still valid.
Cheque-cashing services and their fees
A cheque-cashing service is a business that cashes cheques for people without bank accounts. They charge a fee — usually 1 to 5 percent of the cheque amount, though it can be higher for larger cheques or cheques from out-of-province or out-of-country banks. On a $500 cheque, a 2 percent fee costs $10. On a $1,000 cheque, it costs $20.
Cheque-cashing services are faster than banks if you're in a hurry — many stay open evenings and weekends — but the fee makes them more expensive than using the bank. They will ask for a government-issued photo ID and may ask for a second form of ID. Some require you to be a repeat customer before they'll cash a large cheque. If the cheque is made out to someone else, that person must endorse it (sign the back) and provide ID.
Cheque-cashing services are common in strip malls and downtown areas. Search online for "cheque cashing near me" to find one, or ask at a convenience store or payday loan office — they often know which services are nearby.
Cashing cheques at retailers and other locations
Some retailers will cash a cheque as part of a purchase or as a standalone service. Walmart, for example, cashes cheques at customer service desks in many locations for a flat fee (usually $3 to $8 depending on the cheque amount and province). Grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations sometimes offer this service too, though policies vary by location and by province.
Your employer may also cash a cheque for you if it's a payroll cheque from another employer or a personal cheque. Ask your payroll or HR department — many will do this for free or a small fee as a courtesy to staff.
Retailers typically charge less than cheque-cashing services but may have limits on the cheque amount (often $500 to $2,000). They will ask for photo ID and may refuse if the cheque is from out of province or if you're not a regular customer.
What to do if the cheque is made out to someone else
If a cheque is made out to another person and you want to cash it, that person must endorse it by signing the back. They should write "Pay to the order of [your name]" and then sign below it. You'll then need to sign below their signature. Both of you should bring photo ID when you go to cash it.
Most banks and cheque-cashing services will accept a two-party cheque (one that has been endorsed to you), but some refuse because the risk of fraud is higher. Call ahead or ask the teller before you bring the cheque in. If the original payee is not available to endorse it, you cannot legally cash it.
Holds and when the money becomes available
When you cash a cheque, you receive cash immediately — but the cheque itself takes time to clear. The bank that issued the cheque must verify the funds exist in the account and that the signature is genuine. This usually takes one to three business days. If the cheque bounces (the account has insufficient funds or the account is closed), the bank may ask for the money back.
If you receive cash at a bank or cheque-cashing service, this doesn't affect you — you have the cash and it's yours to spend. But if you later deposit that cash into a bank account, the bank may place a hold on it while the original cheque clears. This is rare for personal cheques but more common for business cheques or cheques from out-of-province banks.
Proof of identity when you don't have a photo ID
A government-issued photo ID is the fastest way to cash a cheque, but it's not the only way. If you don't have a driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card, bring a combination of documents that together prove your name and address. These might include:
- A utility bill (hydro, gas, water, internet) in your name
- A lease agreement or mortgage statement
- A birth certificate or citizenship document
- A credit card or bank card (even if the account is closed)
- A government cheque (tax refund, benefits payment)
- A letter from an employer or government agency on official letterhead
The bank or cheque-cashing service will decide which combination is acceptable. If you're refused, ask what specific documents they need and come back with those. Some banks will also place a hold on the funds while they verify your identity by phone or mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a cheque at a different bank than the one that issued it?
Yes, but the bank may charge you a fee (usually $5 to $15) because you're not a customer. The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for free. If you're cashing at a different bank, call first to confirm they offer this service and what fee applies.
What happens if the cheque bounces after I cash it?
If you received cash, the bank cannot take it back from you. But if you deposited the cash into a bank account and the cheque later bounces, the bank will deduct the amount from your account. The person who wrote the cheque is responsible for covering the bounced cheque fee and any overdraft charges.
Can I cash a cheque made out to a business or organization?
No. A cheque made out to a business must be deposited into that business's bank account. If you're authorized to handle the business's finances, you'll need to open a business account or ask the business owner to deposit it. Personal cheques made out to individuals cannot be cashed by a business.
How long does it take to cash a cheque without a bank account?
At the bank that issued the cheque, it usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. At a cheque-cashing service, it takes 10 to 20 minutes. At a retailer, it may take longer if there's a line. All of these give you cash the same day, though the cheque itself takes one to three business days to clear.
Do I need to sign the cheque to cash it?
Yes. The back of the cheque has a space for your signature (called the endorsement area). Sign your name there before you hand it to the teller. If you don't sign it, the bank or service will ask you to do so before they cash it.