You can cash a personal check at banks where you don't have an account, but the bank gets to decide whether to do it

No law requires a bank to cash a check for someone who isn't a customer. Most banks will cash a check drawn on their own bank for free if you have an ID, but they may charge a fee (typically $5 to $15) if the check is drawn on a different bank. Some banks have stopped cashing third-party checks altogether. A few will do it only if the check amount is under a certain limit, or only during certain hours.

The bank that issued the check — called the drawee bank — is most likely to cash it without a fee, since they can verify the account and funds immediately. If you try to cash it at a different bank, that bank has to contact the drawee bank to confirm the check is good, which takes time and costs them money. That is why they charge a fee or refuse.

Your best option is usually to cash the check at the bank where the person who wrote it banks, or to deposit it into your own account if you have one.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the check (the drawee bank) will almost always cash it for free if you show a valid ID, even if you are not a customer.
  • Banks that did not issue the check often charge $5 to $15 to cash it, or refuse to cash it at all.
  • Some banks limit third-party check cashing to checks under $1,000 or only during business hours.
  • Depositing the check into your own bank account is free and does not depend on which bank issued the check.
  • If a bank refuses to cash a check, you can ask the person who wrote it to deposit it into their account and send you the money another way.

Cashing a check at the bank that issued it

The drawee bank — the one printed on the check — will cash it for you without a fee in almost all cases. You need a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID card). The teller will verify that the account exists, that the signature matches, and that there are enough funds. This takes a few minutes.

You do not need to be a customer of that bank. Walk in during business hours, hand the check and your ID to a teller, and ask them to cash it. If the check is for a large amount (over $10,000), the bank may ask questions about where the money is going, because federal law requires them to report large cash transactions. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong.

If the check is postdated (dated in the future), the bank may refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If the check is stale (more than six months old), the bank may refuse it, though some banks will cash it anyway if they choose to.

Cashing a check at a bank that did not issue it

Banks that did not issue the check have to send it to the drawee bank for verification, which costs them time and money. Most charge a fee of $5 to $15 to cover that cost. Some refuse to cash third-party checks entirely, especially if the check is large or if you are not a customer.

Call the bank before you go in and ask whether they cash third-party checks, what the fee is, and whether there are limits on the amount. Policies vary widely between banks and even between branches of the same bank. Some banks will cash checks only up to $1,000 or only during certain hours.

If you do not have an account at the bank and they agree to cash the check, bring your ID and be prepared to pay the fee. The teller will still verify the check with the drawee bank before handing over the money.

What to do if a bank refuses to cash your check

If the drawee bank refuses to cash the check, ask why. Common reasons are: the account is closed, the signature does not match, the check is postdated or stale, or there are not enough funds. If the account is closed or the funds are not there, the person who wrote the check needs to fix it — you cannot cash a bad check anywhere.

If the signature looks wrong or the check appears altered, do not try to cash it. That is a sign of fraud or forgery, and attempting to cash it could get you in legal trouble.

If a bank that did not issue the check refuses to cash it, try the drawee bank instead. If the drawee bank also refuses, the check itself has a problem and cannot be cashed.

Depositing instead of cashing

If you have a bank account, depositing the check is almost always easier and free. You can deposit it at an ATM, through a mobile app, or at a teller window. The bank does not care which bank issued the check — they will send it through the clearing system and credit your account once it clears, usually within one to three business days.

Depositing also protects you: if the check bounces, the money comes out of your account, but you have a record of the deposit and can dispute it if needed. If you cash a check and it turns out to be fraudulent, you have no recourse.

If you do not have a bank account, opening one is free at most banks and takes about 15 minutes. You can then deposit checks without paying fees.

Cashing checks at non-bank locations

Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and some retailers will cash personal checks, but they charge higher fees — often $3 to $10 per check, or a percentage of the check amount. They also may refuse large checks or checks from accounts they do not recognize.

Payday lenders and title loan companies sometimes cash checks as a side service, but they charge much higher fees and may try to sell you a loan. Avoid these if you can.

Walmart and some grocery store chains will cash checks at customer service, usually for $3 to $4. Policies vary by location, so call ahead.

What happens if you try to cash a check that bounces

If you cash a check and the account does not have enough money, the check bounces. The bank will deduct the money from your account if you deposited it, or you may be asked to return the cash if you cashed it. The person who wrote the check will be charged a fee (usually $25 to $35) by their bank for insufficient funds.

If you cashed the check at a non-bank location and it bounces, that location may pursue you for the money or report it to a collection agency. This is why cashing at the drawee bank is safer — they verify the funds before handing over cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's check if they sign the back?

This is called a third-party check, and most banks refuse to cash them because of fraud risk. Even if the person signs the back, the bank may not accept it. Your safest option is to ask the person to deposit it into their account and send you the money through a bank transfer, Venmo, or another payment method.

What if the check is written to "cash" instead of my name?

A check written to "cash" can be cashed by anyone who has it, so you do not need to be named on it. Bring your ID to the drawee bank and they will cash it. This is riskier than a check with your name on it, because anyone who finds it can cash it.

Do I need to endorse the check before cashing it?

Yes. Sign the back of the check in the space marked "endorse here." If you are depositing it, you may need to write your account number below your signature. If you are cashing it, the teller will usually ask you to sign in front of them.

How long does it take to cash a check at the drawee bank?

Usually 5 to 10 minutes if you have a valid ID and the check is good. The teller verifies the account and signature, confirms the funds are there, and hands over the cash. If the check is large or there are questions, it may take longer.

Can a bank refuse to cash a check if I have an account there?

Yes. Even if you are a customer, the bank can refuse to cash a check if the account is closed, the signature does not match, or the funds are not there. They can also refuse if they suspect fraud. If this happens, ask the teller why and contact the person who wrote the check.