You can cash a check at your own bank for free, at the issuing bank for a small fee, at retail stores, or through a mobile app. The method you choose depends on whether you have a bank account, how fast you need the money, and how large the check is. Here’s what to know about each option and what you’ll need to get your cash.
How to Endorse a Check
Before you cash or deposit a check anywhere, you need to endorse it. Flip the check over and look for the endorsement area, a small box (about 1.5 inches) at the top of the back, usually marked “Endorse here.” Sign your name in blue or black ink exactly as it appears on the front of the check. Stay inside the designated area and don’t write below the line.
If your name is misspelled on the front, sign the misspelled version first, then sign your correct legal name directly beneath it.
For added security, especially if you’re not cashing the check immediately, write “For deposit only to [your account number]” above your signature. This is called a restrictive endorsement, and it prevents anyone else from cashing the check if it’s lost or stolen. A simple signature with nothing else (a blank endorsement) means anyone holding the check could potentially cash it.
Cash It at Your Own Bank or Credit Union
The simplest option is walking into your bank or credit union with the endorsed check and your debit card or government-issued photo ID. If you have an account there, cashing a check is free. The teller verifies the check, confirms your identity, and hands you cash. You can also deposit the check and withdraw the available funds.
Under Federal Reserve rules, the first $225 of a deposited check must be available the next business day. Amounts from $226 to $5,525 must be available within two business days. Anything above $5,525 may take up to seven business days. So if you deposit a $10,000 check and want to withdraw the full amount immediately, you’ll likely face a hold on part of it. Banks can extend holds further if your account is new (under 30 days), has a history of overdrafts, or if the check was previously returned.
Cash It at the Issuing Bank
If you don’t have a bank account, you can take the check to the bank that issued it. That’s the bank whose name is printed on the check. The issuing bank can verify that the account has sufficient funds and cash the check on the spot, usually within 5 to 10 minutes.
You’ll need a government-issued photo ID: a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Some branches also ask for your Social Security number, a thumbprint, or proof of address like a utility bill. The check must be made out to you, signed by the person who wrote it, and not expired. Personal checks are generally valid for 180 days (six months) from the date written on the front.
Expect a fee. Most major banks charge non-customers between $5 and $8 for checks over $50. Bank of America and Chase both charge $8, while Wells Fargo charges $7.50.
Cash It at a Retail Store
Several national retailers and grocery chains cash checks, often at lower fees than standalone check-cashing stores.
- Walmart charges $4 for checks up to $1,000 and $8 for checks between $1,001 and $5,000. They accept payroll checks, government checks, tax refund checks, cashier’s checks, insurance settlement checks, and 401(k) distribution checks. Personal checks are limited: Walmart only accepts two-party personal checks up to $200.
- Kroger (and its affiliated stores) charges fees starting at $3, varying by location. They cash payroll, government, insurance, and business checks.
- Kmart charges $1 or less for checks up to $2,000.
Most retailers won’t cash personal checks, and those that do impose strict rules. You’ll need a government-issued photo ID, and most stores cap individual transactions at $5,000 or less. These are good options for payroll and government checks when you need cash quickly and don’t have a bank account.
Cash It Through a Mobile App
If you’d rather skip the trip entirely, apps like PayPal let you cash a check by photographing the front and back with your phone. PayPal offers two speeds: wait 10 days and pay nothing, or get the money credited to your PayPal balance in minutes for a fee.
The expedited fee depends on the check type. Pre-printed payroll and government checks cost 1% of the check amount, with a $5 minimum. All other check types, including hand-signed payroll and government checks, cost 5% with the same $5 minimum. That means cashing a $2,000 personal check with expedited access would cost $100, so this option makes the most sense for smaller amounts or when you’re willing to wait for the free 10-day processing.
What ID You’ll Need
Regardless of where you cash a check, you’ll almost always need a government-issued photo ID. The most commonly accepted forms are a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. Some locations accept two forms of non-photo ID as a substitute, but this varies widely. If you’re cashing a check at a bank where you’re not a customer, bring a backup form of ID or proof of address in case they ask.
Handling Large Checks
Checks above $5,525 get extra scrutiny. Banks may place extended holds, meaning you won’t have access to the full amount for up to seven business days. If the check is especially large or unusual, the bank may contact the issuing bank to verify funds before releasing your money.
Retail stores generally won’t help with large amounts since most cap transactions at $5,000. For checks significantly above that, depositing at your own bank and waiting through the hold period is typically the most reliable path. If speed matters, ask your bank whether a wire transfer from the payer might be faster than a check.
Third-Party Checks
A third-party check is one made out to someone else who signs it over to you. To do this, the original payee writes “Pay to the order of [your name]” in the endorsement area, signs below that line, and hands you the check. You then endorse it with your own signature underneath.
In practice, many banks and retailers refuse third-party checks because of fraud risk. If you need to cash one, call ahead to confirm the location will accept it. Your own bank is the most likely to cooperate, especially if you have an established account in good standing.