You can cash a check at your own bank for free, but other banks will usually charge you a fee

If the check is drawn on your bank — meaning it's from an account at the same institution where you have an account — you can cash it at any branch for free. If the check is drawn on a different bank, you have options, but most will cost you money. A bank that isn't yours may cash it, but they typically charge a fee ranging from a few dollars to $10 or more. Credit unions, check-cashing stores, and the issuing bank itself are your other routes, each with different costs and requirements.

The reason for the fee is straightforward: when you cash a check at a bank that didn't issue it, that bank has to process it through the banking system to collect the money from the other bank. They're doing work and taking on risk, so they charge you for it. Your own bank absorbs that cost as part of keeping your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank will cash any check drawn on any bank for free if you have an account there.
  • A bank where you don't have an account will usually charge $5 to $10 to cash a check, even if the check is drawn on that same bank.
  • The issuing bank (the one the check is drawn on) may cash it for free if you have ID, even without an account.
  • Credit unions often cash checks for members at lower fees than banks, and some may do it free for checks drawn on their own institution.
  • Check-cashing stores will cash almost any check but charge higher fees, typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.

Cashing a check at your own bank

This is always free and the simplest option. Walk into any branch of your bank, hand the teller the check and your ID, and they'll give you cash or deposit it to your account. You don't need to do anything special — the check doesn't even have to be made out to you, though most banks will ask questions if it isn't.

If you bank online-only with no physical branches, you can deposit the check through your phone's camera or mail it in. You won't be able to walk in and get cash the same day, but you won't pay a fee either.

Cashing a check at a bank where you don't have an account

Most banks will cash a check for you even if you're not a customer, but they'll charge a fee. The amount varies by bank — some charge $5, others $10 or more. A few large banks have policies against it altogether, so you may be turned away.

Before you go in, call the bank's customer service line or ask at the branch what their fee is. Some banks waive the fee if the check is drawn on their own bank, but don't count on it — policies vary widely. You'll need a valid ID, and the check must be made out to you or be endorsed to you by the person it's made out to.

Cashing a check at the bank that issued it

If you know which bank issued the check — you can see it printed on the check itself — you can often cash it there for free, even without an account. The issuing bank has the money sitting in the account it was drawn from, so they have no reason to charge you.

However, policies vary. Some banks will do this without hesitation; others require you to have an account or will charge a small fee anyway. Call ahead or ask at the branch. You'll need a valid ID, and the check must be made out to you.

Cashing a check at a credit union

If you're a member of a credit union, they will usually cash checks for free, regardless of which bank issued the check. Credit unions tend to be more flexible than banks about this, especially for members.

If you're not a member but the check is drawn on a credit union, you may be able to cash it at that credit union for free or a small fee. Some credit unions participate in shared branching networks, which means you can visit a different credit union and conduct business as if you were at your own branch — including cashing checks.

Cashing a check at a check-cashing store

Check-cashing stores will cash almost any check, no account required. They're convenient if you need cash immediately and have no other option. The trade-off is cost: they typically charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that's $5 to $15.

Some check-cashing stores also charge a flat fee instead of a percentage, or they charge both. Ask what the total fee will be before you hand over the check. They'll require a valid ID and will verify the check is legitimate before paying you.

What to do if the check is stale or damaged

A check is considered stale if it's more than six months old. Banks are not required to cash stale checks, and most won't. If your check is older than six months, contact the person or business that issued it and ask for a replacement.

If the check is torn, faded, or otherwise damaged but still readable, most banks will still cash it. If it's so damaged that the routing number, account number, or amount can't be read clearly, the bank may refuse it. In that case, ask the issuer for a replacement check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a bank if it's made out to someone else?

Only if that person endorses it to you. They sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]," then you sign below. Not all banks accept third-party checks, so call ahead. Some banks have stopped accepting them altogether due to fraud risk.

What if I don't have a valid ID?

Banks will not cash a check without ID. You need a government-issued ID like a driver's license or passport. If you don't have one, you won't be able to cash a check at a bank or check-cashing store.

Can I cash a check over the phone or online?

No. You must be present with the check and a valid ID. You can deposit a check remotely through your bank's app or by mail, but you can't get cash without going in person or using an ATM that accepts mobile deposits.

Why do some banks charge to cash checks drawn on their own bank?

Banks treat non-customers differently to encourage people to open accounts. Cashing a check for a non-customer costs them time and resources, so they charge a fee to offset that cost. It's a business decision, not a legal requirement.

Is there a limit to how much I can cash?

Banks can refuse to cash very large checks without an account, or they may require you to deposit it instead. There's no federal limit, but individual banks set their own policies. For checks over $5,000 or $10,000, call ahead to confirm the bank will cash it.