Yes, most banks will cash a check for you even if you don't have an account there, but they may charge a fee and have limits on the amount

You can walk into almost any bank and cash a check, whether or not you have an account with them. The bank will verify the check is real, confirm the account it's drawn on has enough money, and give you cash. But here's what changes: banks that don't know you may charge a fee (usually a few dollars), may refuse to cash very large checks, or may ask for identification beyond what they'd ask an account holder.

The easiest path is still to cash a check at the bank where the account holder banks — that's the bank whose name is printed on the check. If you don't know which bank that is, look at the bottom left of the check. If you have your own account somewhere else, you can deposit the check there instead, which usually costs nothing and takes a day or two to clear.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cash a check at the bank printed on the check without having an account there, but expect a fee of $2 to $10 depending on the bank.
  • Cashing at the bank that issued the check is faster and cheaper than cashing at a bank where you don't have an account.
  • If you have a bank account anywhere, depositing the check there usually costs nothing and is often faster than going to a teller window.
  • Banks may refuse to cash checks over a certain amount (often $5,000 to $10,000) if you're not a customer, so call ahead for large checks.
  • You'll need a government-issued ID to cash a check at any bank, even if you have an account there.

Which bank should you go to

The check itself tells you where to go. At the bottom left of the check, you'll see a bank name and a routing number. That's the bank that holds the account the check is drawn from. Go there first — that bank has the fastest access to the account and is least likely to charge you a fee.

If you can't get to that bank, or if it's far away, you can cash the check at any other bank. Expect to pay a fee. Some banks charge $5, some charge $10, and a few charge more. Call the bank before you go, because fees vary and some banks have stopped cashing checks for non-customers altogether.

If you have your own bank account, depositing the check there is usually free and often faster than standing in line at a teller window. Most banks let you deposit checks through their mobile app by taking a photo of the front and back, or you can deposit at an ATM if your bank has one.

What you need to bring

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Banks are required by law to check your identity before handing over cash. If you don't have a photo ID, ask the bank whether they'll accept other forms of ID; some will accept a combination of documents like a utility bill plus a Social Security card, but this varies by bank.

Bring the check itself, of course. Make sure your name is written on the "Pay to the order of" line. If the check is made out to someone else, you cannot cash it — they have to cash it or sign it over to you, and even then, many banks won't accept a signed-over check.

What happens at the teller window

Hand the check and your ID to the teller. They'll look up the account on the check to make sure it exists and has enough money. This usually takes a few minutes. If the account has the funds, they'll ask you how you want the cash — how many $20s, $10s, $5s, and $1s. Tell them, and they'll count it out.

If the account doesn't have enough money, the check will bounce and the bank will refuse to cash it. If the check looks forged or altered, they'll refuse it. If you're not a customer and the bank has a policy against cashing checks for non-customers, they'll refuse it. In any of these cases, you'll need to contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write you a new one or resolve the problem.

Fees and limits

Non-customer check-cashing fees range from $2 to $10 at most banks, though a few charge more. Some banks have stopped offering this service entirely. Call ahead to ask whether they cash checks for non-customers, what the fee is, and whether there's a limit on the amount.

Many banks won't cash checks over $5,000 to $10,000 for people without accounts. If your check is large, call the bank first. If they won't cash it, you can deposit it into your own account instead, or ask the person who wrote the check whether they can write you two smaller checks instead.

When a check is made out to two people

If a check says "Pay to the order of John Smith and Jane Doe," both people usually have to be present to cash it. Some banks will cash it if only one person is there and signs it, but this is not standard. If you're one of two people on the check, bring the other person with you, or ask them to sign the back first and then you can cash it alone — though again, not all banks accept this.

If the check says "Pay to the order of John Smith or Jane Doe," either person can cash it alone without the other's signature.

Alternatives if the bank won't cash it

If the bank refuses to cash the check, you have other options. If you have a bank account anywhere, deposit the check there. If you don't have a bank account, check whether the check writer's bank has a branch near you — sometimes a different branch of the same bank will cash it when the main branch won't.

Some grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services will cash checks for a fee, usually higher than a bank fee. Walmart, for example, cashes checks for a flat fee that varies by check amount. These services are convenient if you're already there, but they're more expensive than a bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account at the bank to cash a check there?

No. You can cash a check at any bank, even if you don't have an account. However, banks that don't know you may charge a fee and may refuse very large checks. Cashing at the bank printed on the check is usually free or cheaper.

What if the check is made out to someone else?

You cannot cash a check made out to someone else. The person whose name is on the check has to cash it themselves, or they can sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]," though many banks won't accept a check that's been signed over this way.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a teller window, cashing a check usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. If you deposit it through a mobile app or ATM, it may take one to two business days to clear before you can use the money.

What if I don't have a photo ID?

Banks are required to check your identity. If you don't have a photo ID, call the bank first and ask what documents they'll accept. Some accept a combination of non-photo documents like a utility bill and Social Security card, but policies vary.

Can I cash a check at an ATM?

Most ATMs don't cash checks — they only let you deposit them. Some banks have special ATMs that dispense cash when you deposit a check, but this is not common. Your best option is to go to a teller window or deposit the check through your mobile app.