You can cash a check at brick-and-mortar banks even if you're not a customer — but you may have to pay a fee (2024)

FAQs

You can cash a check at brick-and-mortar banks even if you're not a customer — but you may have to pay a fee? ›

Many brick-and-mortar banks will still allow you to cash a check even if you don't bank with them. Most banks will require the check to be written by someone who is part of the bank. Policies vary at each bank, but generally, you'll be charged a fee of around $7.

There is no federal law or regulation that requires banks to cash checks for non-customers. Most banks have policies that allow check cashing services only for account holders. If a bank agrees to cash a check for a non-customer, it may legally charge a fee.

Your Bank or Credit Union

Your best bet for free check cashing is any bank or credit union with whom you have an account. At most institutions, account holders pay nothing to cash checks. Plus, you can deposit the check and withdraw cash later.

For non-customers, there is no specific, companywide limit for the size of a check you can cash. However, it is a good idea to call the branch before visiting to be sure it can cash your check.

The main reason banks refuse to cash checks is due to insufficient funds, but checks can be rejected for other reasons, too, including unreadable or invalid account and routing numbers, improper formatting, a missing or invalid signature, or the elapse of too much time since the printed date.

If someone asks you to deposit a check on their behalf, they could simply endorse the back and hand it over to you. However, just signing the back is the least secure way to have someone else deposit a check. Unless the check specifically says, “For Deposit Only,” the person who receives it can cash it.

It's possible to cash a check without a bank account by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store. It's also possible to cash a check if you've lost your ID by using an ATM or signing it over to someone else.

Some banks will let you cash a check at their ATMs if the money is loaded onto a prepaid card account. This is a great way to avoid the hassle of long lines at a bank, store, or retailer. Expect to pay a per-check fee, as well as a monthly service fee for the card account.

Try Visiting the Check-Writer's Bank

The safest and fastest way to get cash is to take your check to the check writer's bank. That's the bank or credit union that holds the check writer's funds, and you can get the money out of the check writer's account and into your hands instantly at that bank.

Eligible Checks: Cash App only allows the deposit of personal and business checks. Government-issued checks, money orders, and third-party checks are not eligible for deposit through the app.

How can I cash a large check without an account? ›

You're usually in the clear if your check is below $5,000. Some places charge larger fees for larger amounts and almost all put a flat cap on how much you're allowed to cash. The type of check matters too. Most banks will accept government checks because they know the funds exist.

No Dollar Limits

So why on earth should you be told how much or how little you can have of it. Check cashing places are amazing because they don't set dollar limits.

Usually, when cashing a check, people use an ID to complete the transaction. Banks are required to have an identity verification policy by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which is why an ID is necessary.

Walmart uses an electronic approval system based on the social security number you enter on the keypad. Based on this data, the computer will approve or deny your check to be cashed. Checks are denied for a variety of reasons, including entering the wrong social or having cashed bad checks at Walmart in the past.

Once someone signs a check over to another person, it becomes a third-party check. Banks can accept third-party checks for deposit or cash them, but they're not required to. If your bank has a no third-party checks policy, then you won't be able to deposit a check for someone else to your account.

No law obligates banks and credit unions to cash checks for everyone, especially non-customers. Still, many banks across the country will cash checks for you. Your first stop should be the bank that issued the actual check. Some banks will cash their own checks for a fee.

Banks will allow you to cash or deposit a personal check for someone else. This is especially useful for people without a bank account, as it means a friend or family member can cash in a personal check for you.

The short answer: It depends. There's no law preventing banks or financial institutions from cashing checks for noncustomers, but they're also not obligated to do so. And if there are significant fees involved, it may not be worth the convenience. Here's a look at where you can cash a check.