Your options for cashing a cheque without a bank account
You can cash a cheque at the bank that issued it, at a cheque-cashing service, at some retail stores, or by depositing it through a mobile app even without an account. The fastest and cheapest route is usually the issuing bank — most will cash their own cheques for free if you have ID, even if you don't bank there. Cheque-cashing services and retail locations charge a fee (typically 1 to 5 percent of the cheque amount), but they're open longer hours and don't require you to visit a specific bank branch.
The method you choose depends on the cheque amount, how quickly you need the cash, and what's available near you. A small personal cheque might be worth cashing at a retail store for convenience; a large cheque from an employer or government agency is usually worth the trip to the issuing bank to avoid fees.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the cheque will cash it for free with a valid ID, regardless of whether you have an account there.
- Cheque-cashing services and retailers charge a percentage fee, but operate longer hours and may not require you to visit a specific branch.
- Some cheques can be deposited through a mobile app using remote deposit capture, even without a bank account.
- You'll need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or similar) at any location that cashes cheques.
- Larger cheques and cheques from employers or government agencies are usually worth cashing at the issuing bank to save on fees.
Cashing a cheque at the issuing bank
The issuing bank is the one printed on the cheque — usually in the top left corner or bottom left. Walk into any branch of that bank with your cheque and a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card). Tell the teller you want to cash the cheque. They will verify the cheque is genuine, check that funds are available, and give you cash on the spot. This takes 5 to 10 minutes and costs nothing.
You don't need to have an account at that bank. The bank is obligated to cash cheques drawn on itself. If the cheque is from a small credit union or a bank with few branches, you may need to find a branch location first — use the bank's website or call their customer service line to find the nearest one.
If the cheque is post-dated (dated in the future), the bank will refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If the cheque is stale (more than six months old), the bank may refuse it or ask the person who wrote it to confirm it's still good. Bring the cheque and ID only — you don't need anything else.
Using a cheque-cashing service or retailer
Cheque-cashing services are businesses that cash cheques for a fee, usually 1 to 5 percent of the cheque amount. A $500 cheque might cost $5 to $25 to cash. These services are faster than waiting for a bank to open and often have evening or weekend hours. You'll find them in most cities — search online for "cheque cashing near me" or look in strip malls and downtown areas.
Some retailers also cash cheques, including Walmart, grocery store chains, and pharmacies. Their fees are often lower than dedicated cheque-cashing services (sometimes 1 to 2 percent), but they may have limits on cheque size or only cash certain types of cheques (personal, payroll, government). Call ahead to confirm they cash cheques and what their fee is.
Bring your cheque and a valid government-issued ID. The service will verify the cheque, take your fee, and give you cash. The process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Some services may refuse cheques that are post-dated, stale, or written for an unusually large amount, or they may place a hold on the funds for a day or two before releasing cash.
Mobile deposit without opening an account
Some banks and financial institutions offer remote deposit capture — the ability to deposit a cheque by photographing it with your phone — even if you don't have an account with them. This is less common than in-person cashing, but it's worth checking if you have a smartphone and a cheque you can wait a few days to access.
A few institutions that have offered this include Tangerine (formerly ING Direct) and some credit unions, though policies change. Search for "mobile cheque deposit no account" or call banks in your area to ask if they offer it. If they do, you'll download their app, take photos of the front and back of the cheque, and the funds will be deposited into an account you create. You can then withdraw the money as cash at an ATM or by visiting a branch.
This route takes longer (usually 1 to 3 business days for the cheque to clear) but has no fee and no percentage charge. It's most useful if you're not in a hurry and want to avoid cheque-cashing fees.
What ID you need and what to bring
Every location that cashes cheques will ask for a valid government-issued ID with a photo. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, provincial ID card, or similar document. Some locations may accept a work ID or student ID as a second form of ID if your primary ID doesn't have a photo, but this varies.
Bring only the cheque and your ID. You don't need proof of address, a bank statement, or anything else. If the cheque is made out to someone other than you, most locations will refuse to cash it — cheques must be cashed by the person named on them, or by someone they've endorsed it to (signed the back). If you need to cash a cheque made out to someone else, that person must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature, then you sign below. This is called a third-party cheque and many banks and retailers refuse them because of fraud risk.
Fees and what to expect at each location
| Location | Fee | Speed | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Free | 5–10 minutes | Bank hours only |
| Cheque-cashing service | 1–5% of cheque amount | 10–20 minutes | Often evenings and weekends |
| Retail store (Walmart, grocery) | 1–3% of cheque amount | 10–20 minutes | Store hours |
| Mobile deposit (if available) | Free | 1–3 business days | Anytime |
The issuing bank is always the cheapest option if you can get there during business hours. For cheques under $100, the fee at a cheque-cashing service might be $1 to $5, which may be worth it if the bank is far away or closed. For cheques over $500, the fee can be $25 or more, making the trip to the issuing bank worthwhile.
Some cheque-cashing services charge a flat fee instead of a percentage — for example, $3 per cheque regardless of amount. Ask before you hand over your cheque. If you're a regular customer, some services offer discounted rates or loyalty programs.
What happens if the cheque bounces or is fraudulent
If you cash a cheque and it later bounces (the account it was drawn on has insufficient funds), the location that cashed it may try to recover the money from you. If you cashed it at the issuing bank, the bank will reverse the transaction and you'll owe them the cash you received. If you cashed it at a cheque-cashing service or retailer, they may pursue you for the amount, though many absorb the loss rather than chase down individual customers.
If you suspect a cheque is fraudulent before you cash it, don't cash it. Contact the person or organization that wrote it to confirm it's legitimate. Cashing a cheque you know is fraudulent can expose you to legal liability.
Once you've cashed a cheque, you have no recourse if the cheque writer claims they didn't authorize it or that it was stolen. The bank that issued the cheque may investigate if the writer files a fraud claim, but you won't be refunded the cash you received. This is why cheque-cashing services and retailers sometimes refuse large cheques or cheques from unfamiliar sources — they're protecting themselves from this risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a cheque at a bank that didn't issue it?
No. Banks will only cash cheques drawn on themselves. If you try to cash a cheque from Bank A at Bank B, Bank B will refuse. You must go to the bank printed on the cheque, or use a cheque-cashing service or retailer instead.
What if I don't have a government-issued ID?
Most locations will not cash a cheque without a valid government-issued photo ID. If you don't have one, you'll need to get one before you can cash a cheque. Contact your provincial Service Ontario office or equivalent to learn how to obtain an ID card. In the meantime, you could ask the person who wrote the cheque to deposit it into their own account and transfer you the funds instead.
How long does it take for a cashed cheque to clear?
When you cash a cheque in person at a bank or cheque-cashing service, you receive cash immediately. The cheque itself clears (the funds are deducted from the writer's account) within 1 to 3 business days. If the cheque bounces after you've cashed it, you may be held responsible for the amount.
Can I cash a post-dated cheque?
No. A post-dated cheque is dated in the future, and banks and cheque-cashing services will refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If you need the money before the date on the cheque, you'll have to wait or ask the person who wrote it to rewrite it with today's date.
Is it cheaper to cash a cheque or deposit it somewhere?
Cashing a cheque (getting cash immediately) usually costs a fee at a cheque-cashing service or retailer. Depositing it into a bank account (if you open one) is free but takes 1 to 3 business days. If you don't have a bank account and don't want to open one, cashing at the issuing bank is free and instant.