Chase does not charge a fee to cash a check if you have a Chase checking or savings account

If you hold an active Chase deposit account, you can cash a check at any Chase branch for free. The teller will verify your account and the check, then give you the cash. No fee applies, regardless of the check amount.

If you do not have a Chase account, the bank charges $6 to cash a check. This fee applies whether the check is drawn on a Chase account or another bank. Some Chase branches may refuse to cash checks for non-customers entirely, so calling ahead is worth doing if you fall into this category.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase account holders cash checks free at any branch; non-customers pay $6 per check.
  • You need a valid ID to cash any check, and the check must be made payable to you or signed over to you by the original payee.
  • Cashing a check takes a few minutes in person but requires a trip to a branch — mobile deposit or ATM deposit may be faster if your account supports them.
  • If you receive checks regularly and do not have a Chase account, opening a basic checking account often costs nothing and eliminates the per-check fee.

What you need to bring to cash a check at Chase

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will not cash a check without it. The check itself must be made payable to you by name, or it must be signed over to you by the person it was originally written to (called a third-party check, though some branches limit or refuse these).

If the check is damaged, illegible, or post-dated (dated in the future), the teller may refuse it. Checks more than six months old are also typically rejected, though the teller has discretion to accept them if the check is otherwise valid.

Faster alternatives to in-person check cashing

If you have a Chase account, mobile deposit is usually faster than going to a branch. You photograph the front and back of the check using the Chase mobile app, and the funds typically appear in your account within one business day. You do not need to visit a branch at all.

Some Chase ATMs also accept check deposits. You insert the check into the machine, and it processes the same way as a mobile deposit. This option is useful if you prefer not to use your phone or if you are at an ATM late at night when branches are closed.

If you need cash immediately and do not want to wait for the check to clear, you can deposit it and then withdraw cash from the same account at an ATM or teller window. The deposit may post instantly for Chase account holders, though the funds may not be fully available for withdrawal until the check clears — usually one to two business days.

Opening a Chase account to avoid check-cashing fees

Chase offers several free checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee. The Chase Total Checking account has no minimum opening deposit and no monthly fee. If you receive checks regularly, the cost of opening an account ($0) is offset quickly by avoiding the $6 per-check fee.

You can open an account online, by phone, or in person at a branch. Online applications typically take 10 to 15 minutes. Once approved, you can use the account to deposit checks, receive direct deposits, and access your money at any of Chase's 4,700 branches nationwide.

Third-party checks and endorsement rules

A third-party check is one made out to someone else that they sign over to you. Chase allows these, but the original payee must sign the back of the check and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. You then sign below that.

Many Chase branches discourage or refuse third-party checks because they carry higher fraud risk. If you need to cash one, call the branch first to confirm they will accept it. Alternatively, ask the original payee to deposit it into their own account and send you the money directly.

What happens if a check bounces after you cash it

If you cash a check and it later bounces (the account it was drawn on has insufficient funds), Chase will reverse the cash you received and may charge you a fee. The fee varies but is typically $6 to $15. You are responsible for returning the cash or the bank will deduct it from your account.

This is why cashing a check is riskier than depositing it: when you deposit, the bank holds the funds until the check clears. When you cash it, you take the risk immediately. If you do not know the person who wrote the check, depositing it first is safer.

Cashing checks from other banks at Chase

Chase will cash checks drawn on other banks for both account holders and non-customers. Account holders pay nothing; non-customers pay $6. The process is the same: bring your ID, the check must be made payable to you, and the teller will verify the funds before handing over cash.

Some branches may place a hold on out-of-state or very large checks, meaning they will verify the funds with the other bank before completing the transaction. This can add 10 to 15 minutes to the process. Calling ahead if you are cashing a large or unusual check can save time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a Chase ATM?

No, Chase ATMs do not have a check-cashing function. You can deposit checks at most Chase ATMs, but to receive cash for a check you must visit a teller inside a branch during business hours.

Do I have to be a customer of the bank that issued the check?

No. Chase will cash checks drawn on any bank. You do not need an account at the bank that issued the check, only a valid ID and a check made payable to you.

What if I lost my ID?

Chase requires a valid government-issued photo ID to cash any check. If you do not have one, you cannot cash a check at Chase. You would need to deposit it into your account instead (if you have one) or obtain a replacement ID first.

Is the $6 fee the same at every Chase branch?

Yes, the $6 non-customer check-cashing fee is standard across all Chase branches. Account holders never pay a fee, regardless of branch location or check amount.

How long does it take to cash a check at Chase?

In-person check cashing usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. The teller verifies your ID, examines the check, and counts out the cash. During busy times, wait times may be longer. Mobile deposit is faster if you have a Chase account and do not need immediate cash.