Most banks will cash a check only if you have an account with them, not just any check at any bank

You cannot walk into a random bank and cash a check drawn on your own bank account unless you have an account there. Banks treat check cashing as a service for their customers, not the public. If you try to cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account, they will turn you away or charge you a fee — often $5 to $15 — and may still refuse.

The bank that issued the check (the one printed on the check itself) is technically required to cash it if you present it there, even without an account. But in practice, most large banks have stopped doing this. They may ask for ID, may limit the amount, or may tell you to use an ATM or mobile app instead. Smaller banks and credit unions are more likely to honor this, but policies vary widely.

If you need to cash a check and don't have a bank account, or if your bank won't cash it, you have other options that don't involve walking into a random bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank will cash your check if you have an account there; most other banks will not without charging a fee.
  • The bank that issued the check may cash it even if you have no account, but many large banks no longer do this as a standard practice.
  • Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart offer check cashing for a fee, usually $2 to $10 depending on the check amount.
  • If you have a smartphone, mobile deposit through your bank's app lets you deposit a check without visiting a branch.
  • Credit unions often have more flexible check-cashing policies than large banks and may cash checks for non-members at lower fees.

What happens when you try to cash a check at your own bank

If you have an account at the bank, cashing a check is straightforward. You sign the back, hand it to a teller, and they give you cash. No fee. This works whether the check is drawn on that bank or another one.

If you don't have an account at that bank but the check is drawn on it, the teller may still cash it — but they are not required to, and many won't. Large banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase have largely stopped cashing checks for non-customers. Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to do it, though they may ask for ID and may charge a fee.

Even if the bank agrees to cash it, they may put a hold on the funds or ask questions about where the check came from. This is their right under federal banking rules.

Check-cashing stores and retail locations

Check-cashing stores exist specifically to cash checks for people without bank accounts or who need cash immediately. They charge a fee — typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, or a flat fee of $2 to $10, whichever is higher. A $500 check might cost $10 to $15 to cash. You will need a valid ID.

Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Publix often cash checks as part of their customer service, usually for free or a small fee if you have a loyalty card. Walmart cashes checks for a flat fee of around $3 to $6 depending on the check type. These are usually faster than banks and require only an ID.

The downside is that these locations may have limits on the check amount — often $1,000 to $5,000 — and they close earlier than banks. They also charge more than a bank would if you had an account.

Using mobile deposit if you have a bank account

If you have a bank account but can't get to a branch, mobile deposit is the fastest option. You photograph the front and back of the check with your phone using your bank's app, and the check deposits into your account within hours or a day. You can then withdraw cash from an ATM or get it from a teller.

Most banks offer this free to account holders. It works with checks drawn on any bank. The main limitation is a per-check limit — often $2,000 to $10,000 depending on your bank and how long you have had the account — and you cannot use it for checks made out to someone else.

Credit unions and smaller banks

Credit unions are more likely than large banks to cash checks for non-members, though they may charge a fee of $5 to $10. Some credit unions have reciprocal agreements with other credit unions, meaning you can cash a check at any participating credit union even if you don't have an account there.

Smaller regional banks also tend to be more flexible. If you live in an area with a local bank, calling ahead to ask their policy on check cashing for non-members can save you a trip. Some will do it for free if the check is drawn on their bank; others charge a flat fee.

Checks made out to someone else

You cannot cash a check made out to another person, even if they sign it over to you. Third-party checks — checks endorsed to you by someone else — are no longer accepted by most banks and retailers due to fraud concerns. The person the check is made out to must deposit or cash it themselves, or they can add you as an authorized user on their account and you can cash it that way.

The only exception is if the check is made out to two people (like "John Smith and Jane Doe"). Both people must be present to cash it, or one person can deposit it into a joint account.

What to bring when you cash a check

You will always need a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some places may ask for a second form of ID or your Social Security number, especially for large checks.

If you are cashing a check at a bank where you have an account, bring your ID and the check. If you are cashing it at a check-cashing store or retailer, bring your ID and expect to pay a fee. If the check is made out to a business or has any unusual wording, call ahead to confirm they will cash it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a bank that didn't issue it?

Not usually without a fee or an account. Most large banks will not cash checks for non-customers. Smaller banks and credit unions may do it for a fee of $5 to $10. Your best option is to cash it at the bank that issued it, a check-cashing store, or a grocery store.

What if the check is post-dated or stale?

A post-dated check (dated in the future) cannot be cashed until that date arrives. A stale check is one older than six months; banks may refuse to cash it. If either applies, contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write a new one.

Do I have to pay a fee to cash a check at my own bank?

No. If you have an account at the bank, cashing a check is free. Fees only apply when you cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account, or at a check-cashing store or retailer.

Can I cash a check without an ID?

No. Banks, check-cashing stores, and retailers all require a valid government-issued photo ID to cash a check. This is a federal requirement to prevent fraud and money laundering.

Is it faster to cash a check or deposit it?

Cashing is faster if you need cash immediately. Depositing through mobile app is faster if you just need the money in your account — it usually takes a few hours. Depositing at a branch or ATM may take a day or two to clear.