Most banks charge $5 to $10 to cash a check if you're not a customer
Banks that don't hold your account treat check cashing as a service they're not obligated to provide, so they charge for it. The fee typically ranges from $5 to $10 per check, though some banks go higher. A few banks—usually smaller regional ones—cash checks for free if the check is drawn on their own bank, but charge the standard fee for checks from other banks.
The fee exists because the bank has to verify the check is real, confirm the account has funds, and handle the transaction without the relationship data they have on their own customers. They're also taking on the risk that the check might bounce after they've already handed over cash.
If you have an account at the bank, you can almost always cash checks for free, even if the check is drawn on a different bank. The fee applies only to non-customers.
Key Takeaways
- Non-customers pay $5 to $10 per check at most banks, with some charging more depending on the check amount.
- Checks drawn on the same bank are sometimes free to cash for non-customers, but this varies by bank.
- Account holders at the bank never pay a fee to cash checks, regardless of which bank issued the check.
- Credit unions often charge lower fees than banks, and some credit unions cash checks for free to non-members.
- Cashing a check at the bank that issued it (the check writer's bank) is usually cheaper or free than cashing it elsewhere.
Where the check is drawn from matters
If the check is drawn on the bank where you're trying to cash it, the fee is usually lower or nonexistent. For example, if you have a check from someone's account at Chase, you can walk into a Chase branch and cash it for free even if you don't bank there. The bank that issued the check has direct access to that account and can verify funds instantly.
If the check is drawn on a different bank, the cashing bank has to route it through the clearing system, which takes time and carries more risk. That's why they charge the higher fee—typically $5 to $10. Some banks will not cash checks from other banks at all for non-customers, so calling ahead is worth the time.
Credit unions often charge less
Credit unions typically charge $1 to $3 to cash a check for non-members, which is lower than most banks. Some credit unions cash checks for free to non-members as a community service, though this is less common. If you're a member of any credit union, you can usually cash checks at any other credit union in the shared branching network for free or a small fee.
To find a credit union near you that cashes checks, search for "shared branching" on the CO-OP Network website or ask your own credit union which branches participate. This can save you money if you regularly need to cash checks.
Alternatives that cost less or nothing
If you have a bank account anywhere, deposit the check into your own account and withdraw cash. This costs nothing and takes one business day (or sometimes the same day if you deposit early). Many banks also let you cash checks through their ATMs if you have an account, which is instant and free.
Walmart, Target, and some grocery stores cash checks for $3 to $6, which is often cheaper than a bank. They typically cash personal checks, payroll checks, and government checks, but not all stores participate. Call ahead to confirm the store near you offers this service and what their fee is.
If the check is from your employer, ask your payroll department about direct deposit. This eliminates the need to cash checks at all and puts money in your account automatically on payday.
What happens if the check bounces
If you cash a check and it bounces, the bank will reverse the transaction and deduct the money from your account (if you have one) or pursue you for repayment. Non-customers who cash a bad check may face a separate fee from the bank—typically $5 to $15—for the returned check, on top of losing the cash itself.
The bank that cashed the check will try to recover the money from the account it was drawn on. If that account doesn't have funds, the check writer's bank will charge them a returned-check fee, usually $25 to $35. The responsibility to repay falls on the person who wrote the check, not on you, but you won't have the cash in hand.
How to avoid paying a fee
Open a checking account at a bank or credit union. Once you're an account holder, you can cash checks at that institution for free, and you'll have a place to deposit checks electronically. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance, so the only cost is your time to set one up.
If you receive checks regularly, a bank account is the cheapest long-term option. If you only cash a check occasionally, using Walmart or a credit union is usually faster and cheaper than a bank.
Ask the person writing the check if they can pay you another way—direct transfer, PayPal, Venmo, or cash. This eliminates the check-cashing fee entirely and gets you money faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at any bank branch, or only the one closest to me?
You can cash a check at any branch of the same bank, regardless of location. If the check is drawn on Bank of America, any Bank of America branch will cash it for free (or a small fee for non-customers). You don't have to go to a specific branch.
Do banks charge more for large checks?
Some banks charge a flat fee ($5 to $10) regardless of check amount, while others charge a percentage of the check value—usually 1% to 2%. A few banks set a maximum fee cap. Call the bank before you go in if the check is for a large amount.
How long does it take to cash a check at a bank?
If you're a customer, it's instant—the teller hands you cash immediately. For non-customers, it may take 10 to 20 minutes because the teller has to verify the check and your identity more carefully. Some banks require a government ID and may place a hold on the funds for a day or two.
What if the bank refuses to cash my check?
Banks can refuse to cash checks for non-customers for any reason. If they won't cash it, try the bank that issued the check, a credit union, or a check-cashing store. Walmart and grocery stores are usually your fastest alternative.
Is a check-cashing store cheaper than a bank?
Check-cashing stores typically charge 1% to 3% of the check amount, which can be more than a bank's flat fee on smaller checks but less on very large checks. They're open longer hours than banks and don't require an account, but they're generally more expensive than banks or credit unions.