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Everything you need to know about cashing a cheque (check)
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Though they aren’t used as often as they used to be, cheques (or checks) are still issued frequently for a variety of reasons. Whether in the form of a personal cheque written as a gift or a business cheque issued for services rendered, most everyone will find themselves needing to cash one. Knowing how to make sure a cheque is valid and how to cash it will help you get your money as quickly and inexpensively as possible.
How Do You Cash a Cheque?
One can cash a cheque at a bank, an ATM, or on your bank's website or app. Take the cheque, a photo I.D., and bank card or account number to a teller. If you don’t have an account, take your cheque and I.D. to the issuing bank, a grocery store, or deposit it onto a pre-paid card or checkless debit card account.
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
Depositing a Cheque Electronically
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Deposit the cheque using your bank's app. Many banks now allow you to use a smartphone to electronically deposit cheques into your account. [1] X Research source This method allows you to deposit your cheque, but you must visit a bank, ATM, or retailer to withdraw cash. Many ATMS and retail point-of-service systems limit the amount of cash you can get in a day.
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Log in to the app on your smartphone and select “deposit.” If you haven’t downloaded your bank’s mobile banking app, find it on your phone’s app store and download it. Connect it to your account by following the app’s directions and entering your name and account details. Tap “Deposit.”
- Make sure to follow all the directions in the app.
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Take photos of the front and back of your cheque. Tap “Front of Cheque” to take a photo of the front of the cheque, making sure to follow the guidelines on the screen to get a clear image. Then tap “Back of Cheque” to take a photo of the other side of the cheque. Don’t forget to sign the back of the cheque before taking an image.
- Take a clear, well-lighted photograph of the front and back sides of the cheque.
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Enter the amount on the cheque and confirm. The app will prompt you to enter the amount written on the front of the cheque and then confirm that it’s correct. Once you do that, the funds will be added to your account.
- The funds may take 1-2 days to be available, though many banks make a portion available immediately.
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Section 2 of 5:
Cashing a Cheque at an ATM
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Take your cheque to your bank’s ATM. Many larger banks allow you to cash a cheque at their ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines). The funds are usually available immediately. [2] X Research source Once you’re at the ATM, sign the back of the check.
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Insert your card into the ATM and enter your PIN. In most cases, you need your bank debit card and personal identification number (PIN) to deposit or cash a cheque at an ATM. The debit card identifies your account and allows you to deposit or cash your cheque. [3] X Research source
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Select “Deposit” and enter the cheque amount. Choose “Deposit” from the ATM’s menu. Then select the account you want to deposit the funds into. Enter the total amount of your cheque when prompted.
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Insert your cheque into the ATM and confirm the details. Feed your check into the slot on the machine. On most modern ATMs, an image of the cheque will appear on the screen. Confirm that it’s the correct image and that the amount on the check matches the total you entered. [4] X Research source
- Don’t forget to endorse the cheque before inserting it into the ATM.
- Some ATMs require you to place your cheque in an envelope before inserting it into the machine.
- Access your cash by withdrawing money from the ATM. Be aware that the full amount of your cheque may not be available immediately. It can take up to 2 days for the full amount to be available for withdrawal. There may also be limits on how much you’re allowed to withdraw from an ATM in a day.
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Section 3 of 5:
Cashing a Cheque at a Bank
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Take the cheque to your nearest branch location. Many banks will cash cheques without charging a fee if you are an account holder with them. [5] X Research source However, some banks may require you to deposit the cheque to your account rather than cash it, especially if the cheque is from an account at another bank. [6] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
- Find your bank’s branch locations by checking their website, calling them on the phone, or searching online.
- If the cheque “bounces” (the cheque writer’s bank refuses to pay your bank), your bank will take the funds from your account plus a returned cheque fee ranging from $10 - $35 USD.
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Take the cheque, a photo ID, and your account number to any teller. When you cash a cheque in person, you must show a valid photo I.D. Driver’s licenses and passports are usually the best choices. In some cases, military or school I.D.s may be accepted. [7] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
- You may not be required to show a photo I.D. if you cash the cheque at an ATM or via your smartphone.
- Many banks also prefer that you have your bank debit card with you. If you do not have your debit card, you may be required to fill out a deposit slip to cash your cheque.
- Simply fill in the date, your name, account number, address, and the total of the cheque you’re depositing in the designated spots on the deposit slip then give it to the teller with the cheque and your I.D.
- Banks often have blank deposit slips at a station in their lobby. If you can’t find them, ask a teller for one.
- If you have a checking account, deposit slips pre-printed with your account number are usually included at the back of a pack of cheques.
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Section 4 of 5:
Cashing a Cheque without an Account
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Visit the bank that issued the cheque. Find the bank's name by looking at the front of the cheque. Take the endorsed cheque and your photo I.D. to a teller window. Give the cheque and your I.D. to the teller and explain that you don’t have an account, but the cheque is from an account holder at their bank.
- Most banks are required to cash cheques that are drawn on accounts at their bank (if there are sufficient funds in that account). [8] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
- The bank may also charge you a fee, usually around $8 USD, if you're not an account holder with them. [9] X Research source
- Some U.S. states have laws requiring banks to cash cheques drawn on their accounts without charging a fee. Find out online if you live in a state where this applies. [10] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
- If you are not an account holder, you must cash the cheque in person with a bank teller.
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Cash the cheque at a retail store if that's more convenient. Many grocery and big-box stores offer check-cashing services. Take the check and your photo I.D. to the store’s Customer Service desk. Endorse the back of the check. Hand your cheque and the I.D. to the customer service rep and tell them you want to cash it. They will take the check and give you cash.
- Retailers only cash cheques they believe are reliable. For instance, they will cash payroll or government cheques but not personal cheques (cheques written by individuals drawn from their personal accounts).
- Merchants often charge small fees for cashing a cheque for you. [11] X Research source
- For example, many Walmart and 7-Eleven convenience stores will cash cheques for a small fee (which varies by location).
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Use a prepaid card to cash your cheque as an alternative. Some retailers like 7-Eleven and Walmart will cash your cheque and load the funds onto a prepaid debit card for you. Take your cheque, photo I.D., and pre-paid card to a cashier and they will take it from there. [12] X Research source
- To use the card issuer’s app, log in from your phone and tap the “Deposit” button. Select “Deposit a Cheque” or “Mobile Cheque Capture.” When prompted, take a photo of the front and back of your cheque lying on a flat surface. Enter the amount of the cheque and confirm.
- When using the app, your funds are usually available after 1-2 days.
- Prepaid cards are available through large financial institutions such as MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.
- Reloadable “Payroll Cards” allow you to deposit cheques and withdraw money at ATMs and may be available through your employer.
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Use a cheque-cashing service when the other options aren’t accessible. Take your cheque and government-issued I.D. to the cheque-cashing store. Endorse the cheque, then hand it to the associate along with your I.D. They will scan the check and determine if they can accept it. If it’s a valid cheque, they will give you cash minus their processing fee. Cheque-cashing stores and services cash cheques for up to 12% of the cheque amount. These should be reserved as a last resort, as their fees tend to be quite high. [13] X Research source
- The advantage of cheque-cashing services is that they usually cash personal cheques. Most retailers will not.
- However, these services may charge a hefty fee to cash your cheque, so it’s best to try your other options first.
- If you do not have a bank account and need cash immediately from a personal cheque, cheque-cashing services may be your only option.
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Endorse the cheque for smaller amounts to a trusted proxy. If you don’t have a bank account and have someone you absolutely trust, sign over the cheque to them. They can then cash the cheque with their bank and give you the money.
- To endorse the cheque to another person, write “Pay to the order of _______” on the reverse side of the cheque. Sign your name.
- In some cases, you may also be required to initial near the written and numerical amounts of the cheque.
- Never ask someone you do not know intimately to cash a cheque for you. Never cash a cheque for someone you do not know and trust extremely well.
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Section 5 of 5:
How to Tell if a Cheque Is Valid
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Verify the trustworthiness of the person writing the cheque. If the person writing the cheque is a close friend, you probably trust them to write a cashable cheque. If you’re accepting a cheque as payment from someone you do not know, confirm the following information: [14] X Research source
- Full name
- Home address
- Phone number
- Driver's license number
- Check with the bank the cheque will be drawn on to confirm the person writing the check has an account with funds available to cover the check. Many banks will verify the account the cheque is drawing from if you contact them.
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Make sure the check is made out to you. It is very important for your name to be written correctly on the cheque. Banks can deny payment if the name does not match the person attempting to cash it.
- If you own a small business, different rules may apply. Many banks will not cash a cheque made out to your small business. They will deposit it to the business’s bank account instead.
- If the check is made out to more than one person, all payees (the person or persons being paid) must sign the cheque.
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Verify all of the info on the cheque. All of the information on the cheque needs to be complete and accurate. This includes the date, amount of payment, and signature. If the information is invalid or missing, your bank will refuse payment on the cheque. [15] X Research source
- Check the date. It’s important that the date is accurate. The date written on the cheque is the first date on which the funds may be withdrawn. Also, many banking institutions have the right (but not the obligation) to deny payment after a period of six months has passed.
- Check the numerical amount and written amount. The numerical amount box is located below the date. It represents the exact amount to be paid to the payee. Ensure that this is the correct amount you are owed and matches the written dollar amount located to the left of the box. If the written and numerical amounts are different, most banks will honor the written amount. [16] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
- Check the signature. For the cheque to be valid, it must contain the signature of the account owner from which the funds will be withdrawn. It is imperative that it is signed, or the cheque will not be honored. [17] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
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Endorse the cheque when you're ready to cash it. On the reverse side of the cheque, there will usually be a line for a signature that says something like “Endorse here.” You must sign on this line before cashing your cheque. [18] X Research source
- Remember that if there is more than one payee – e.g., “Pay to the order of Jackson and Leanna Teller” – all payees must endorse the cheque. [19] X Trustworthy Source US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector Go to source
- A check can be deposited into a joint account with only one of the joint owners signing the check.
- Don’t endorse the check until you’re ready to cash or deposit it. Once the check is endorsed, it becomes a "bearer" instrument, so anyone can cash it unless there are written restrictions.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat can I do to change my check if it is in dollars and I want it in Rand?Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.As the payee, you cannot legally change the currency denoted on a check. You have two choices: (1) Return the check to its original maker and request a new one in Rand, or (2) Cash the check in dollars and convert thee proceeds into Rand.
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QuestionHow do I cash a cheque made out to my company?Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.Effectively, an individual cashing a cheque made to a company is a third party cheque (I'm assuming the company has endorsed the cheque to you). Most banks do not accept third party checks for cash since they cannot ensure that the signature of the original maker is valid. However, your bank may allow you to deposit the check and hold the funds until the cheque clears. You might consider returning the cheque to your company for deposit into their account and getting a company check made payable to you.
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Tips
- Consider depositing a cheque you receive rather than cashing it. Your bank will place the funds in your account and then collect the funds from the bank from which the cheque is drawn. You may have to wait a few days to spend the money because the bank will make sure the other bank honors the cheque.Thanks
- Cash your cheque within 6 months of its written date. Banks are not obligated to honor cheques older than 6 months.Thanks
- Some cheques may be made out to "_____ or bearer. " If the cheque has these words printed on it, anyone who has physical possession of the cheque may cash it.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Do not mail a cheque to anyone with an unsecured mailbox because it can be stolen and used to print fake cheques with your account number and somebody else's name. These cheques may be used to withdraw money from your account. Instead, mail cheques so the recipient has to show identification to pick up the letter at the post office.
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Warnings
- Never endorse a cheque until it is about to be cashed. If you lose an endorsed cheque on the way to the bank or wherever you are cashing it, someone who finds the cheque can cash it and keep your money.Thanks
- Be very careful when accepting ante- or post-dated cheques since these may be given to you for fraudulent purposes. Also, be careful when cashing cashier's or bank cheques (cheques drawn on bank funds rather than an account holder's). If the cheque is a fake, you will be responsible for reimbursing your bank.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/banking/depositing-cheque-with-mobile.html
- ↑ https://nyaaya.org/legal-explainer/encash-a-cheque/
- ↑ https://consumer.gov/managing-your-money/using-debit-cards
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/deposit-cash-atm
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/cash-check-paying-high-fees
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-i-cash-a-check-at-any-bank-or-credit-union-en-931/
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-i-cash-a-check-at-any-bank-or-credit-union-en-931/
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-i-cash-a-check-at-any-bank-or-credit-union-en-931/
- ↑ https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/how-to-cash-a-check-without-a-bank-account
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-received-a-check-and-tried-to-cash-it-at-the-bankcredit-union-that-holds-the-account-on-which-the-check-is-written-the-bankcredit-union-charged-me-a-fee-for-cashing-a-check-can-a-bankcredit-union-do-that-en-937/
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/how-to-cash-a-check-without-a-bank-account
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/cash-check-paying-high-fees
- ↑ https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/how-to-cash-a-check-without-a-bank-account
- ↑ https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2021-10/avoiding-scams-and-scammers
- ↑ https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/how-to-endorse-a-check
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-received-a-check-where-the-words-and-the-numbers-for-the-amount-are-different-is-this-check-valid-and-for-how-much-en-945/
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-received-a-check-that-someone-forgot-to-sign-can-i-still-cash-it-en-943/
- ↑ https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/how-to-endorse-a-check
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-received-a-check-payable-to-both-my-spouse-and-myself-do-both-of-us-have-to-sign-the-back-of-the-check-en-941/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To cash a cheque, first sign the back of the check on the line that says, “Endorse here.” Then, take the check and a photo I.D. to your bank and ask a teller to cash it. Alternatively, you may be able to cash a cheque at an ATM machine using your debit card. If you don’t need the cash right away, you can also deposit the cheque using your bank’s app on your smartphone. For more ways you can cash a cheque, read on!
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