You can cash a check at your own bank for free, but cashing it at a bank where you don't have an account depends on whether that bank will do it — and many won't
Most banks will cash a check drawn on their own institution for their own customers at no charge. If you're trying to cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account, you're asking that bank to process a transaction for someone else's money, and they have no obligation to do it. Some banks will cash checks for non-customers, but they often charge a fee (typically $5 to $15), and they may refuse entirely.
Your safest option is to deposit the check into your own account, even if it's at a different bank — that's free and takes one to three business days. If you need cash immediately and don't have an account anywhere, check-cashing stores and grocery stores with check-cashing services will do it for a fee, usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.
Key Takeaways
- Your own bank will cash checks drawn on any bank for free if you have an account there.
- Banks are not required to cash checks for non-customers and often charge $5 to $15 if they do.
- Depositing a check into your account (even at a different bank) is free and the most reliable way to access the money.
- The bank the check is drawn on (the issuer's bank) is more likely to cash it for a non-customer than any random bank.
- Check-cashing stores and grocery stores with check-cashing services charge fees but don't require an account.
Cashing at your own bank versus a different bank
If you have an account at Bank A and the check is drawn on Bank A, you can walk in and cash it immediately with no fee. If you have an account at Bank A but the check is drawn on Bank B, Bank A will still cash it for you for free — they're processing a transaction for their own customer. The transaction takes a few minutes at the teller window.
If you don't have an account anywhere and you walk into Bank B (the bank the check is drawn on) with a check drawn on Bank B, that bank may cash it for you, but they're not required to. Some banks have a policy of cashing checks drawn on them for non-customers, but they often charge a fee. Other banks refuse to cash checks for non-customers at all. There is no federal rule requiring banks to do this.
Why banks charge fees for non-customer check cashing
When you cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account, that bank is taking on risk and doing work for someone they have no relationship with. They have to verify the check is real, confirm the account has funds, and process the transaction — all for a customer who may never return. The fee covers their cost and compensates them for the risk that the check bounces after they've already handed over cash.
Banks also use check-cashing policies to encourage people to open accounts. If you have to pay $10 every time you cash a check, opening a free checking account starts to look appealing. This is a deliberate business strategy, not a technical limitation.
Depositing instead of cashing: the free alternative
If you have a bank account anywhere — even at a different bank than the one the check is drawn on — you can deposit the check for free. Most banks process deposits within one to three business days. You don't have to go to a branch; you can use mobile deposit (photograph the check with your phone) or an ATM if your bank has one.
Depositing is free because you're a customer of that bank. The receiving bank collects the money from the issuing bank through the ACH network (Automated Clearing House), which is the standard system for moving money between banks. There's no fee to you, and you don't have to wait in line. The only downside is the delay. If you need cash immediately, depositing won't work. But if you can wait a business day or two, it's the cheapest and easiest path.
Check-cashing stores and grocery stores as alternatives
If you don't have a bank account and need cash immediately, check-cashing stores and grocery stores with check-cashing services will cash checks for you on the spot. They charge a percentage of the check amount (typically 1 to 3 percent) or a flat fee ($3 to $10), depending on the store and the check amount. Walmart, for example, cashes checks for a flat fee of around $3 to $4 for personal checks.
These services are faster than banks and don't require an account, but they're more expensive than depositing. They're useful if you need cash immediately and don't have a bank account, but if you can open an account or use a friend's account to deposit, that's cheaper.
What happens if the check bounces after you cash it
If you cash a check and it bounces (the account doesn't have enough money), the bank that cashed it will reverse the transaction and take the money back from your account. If you already spent the cash, you'll go negative. The bank may charge you an overdraft fee on top of that. This is why banks are cautious about cashing checks for non-customers — they're taking the risk that the check is bad.
If you deposit a check and it bounces, the same thing happens: the money comes back out of your account. But at least you're dealing with your own bank, which knows you and can work with you on overdraft fees if needed.
How to learn about a specific bank will cash your check
Call the bank's customer service line or visit a branch and ask. Different banks have different policies. Some large banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo have stated policies on their websites about non-customer check cashing (usually they will do it for a fee). Smaller regional banks and credit unions vary widely. Don't assume; ask first so you're not surprised by a fee at the counter.
If you're cashing a check drawn on a bank that's not in your area, call that bank's main customer service line. They can tell you whether any of their branches will cash it for a non-customer and what the fee is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank that's not the one it's drawn on?
Only if that bank chooses to do it, and they usually charge a fee. Your best option is to deposit it into your own account instead, which is free. If you don't have an account, a check-cashing store is faster than trying different banks.
What if I don't have a bank account?
Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and some retailers like Walmart will cash checks for a fee (usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount). Opening a free checking account at any bank is also an option — many banks have no minimum balance or monthly fee — and then you can deposit checks for free.
How long does it take to cash a check at a bank?
At the teller window, a few minutes. If you deposit it via mobile or ATM, it takes one to three business days for the money to show up in your account. Cashing at a check-cashing store is also immediate.
Will a bank cash a check if I'm not on the account?
No. Only the account holder or someone with power of attorney can cash a check drawn on an account. If someone else's name is on the check, they need to endorse it (sign the back) and you need to sign below their signature, but the bank will still likely refuse unless you're both present with ID.
What's the difference between cashing and depositing a check?
Cashing means you get the money in cash immediately. Depositing means the money goes into your account and you can withdraw it later (usually within one to three business days). Depositing is free; cashing at a non-customer bank costs a fee.