I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank GogolWhere to Get a Cashier’s Check Without a Bank Account
Updated on June 8, 2024
Written by
Written by
Reviewed by
Rohit Mittal
Reviewed by
Rohit Mittal
Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.
See all posts Rohit Mittal
At a Glance:
A cashier’s check is a guaranteed form of payment issued by a bank, commonly used for big purchases to minimize the risk of a bounced check.
When requesting a cashier’s check, the bank verifies that you have the funds available and then withdraws the amount from your account.
If you don’t have a bank account, some banks may allow you to purchase a cashier’s check with cash.
Alternatively, you can open a bank account to obtain a cashier’s check.
Money orders are an alternative to cashier’s checks, prepaid and without a maximum amount, but may have limitations.
For large purchases, sellers often seek assurance against bounced checks. While cash is an option, it’s not always convenient, especially if meeting in person isn’t feasible. A safer option is a cashier’s check.
Wondering where to get a cashier’s check without a bank account? Some banks may issue one even if you’re not a customer, usually for a fee. It’s worth calling various banks to inquire. Explore alternatives if obtaining one isn’t possible.
How to Obtain a Cashier’s Check Without a Bank Account
Navigating the process of obtaining a cashier’s check without a bank account can be challenging, mainly because many financial institutions prioritize their own customers. If you find yourself in this situation, consider the following options:
1. Open a Free Checking Account
A straightforward approach is to open a free checking account with banks or credit unions providing cashier’s checks. Many banks have no-minimum-balance accounts. Once you deposit funds, you can request a cashier’s check.However, certain circumstances might prevent some from having a bank account, rendering this option infeasible.
2. Utilize Online Banking Services
If you have an account with a bank that lacks local branches, consider ordering a cashier’s check online. Several banks offer online or telephonic order options for cashier’s checks. After placing the order, you can either receive the check by mail or direct it to the intended recipient.
3. Contact Local Financial Institutions
Still need a cashier’s check without any bank account? While most banks prioritize their customers, exceptions exist. To avoid disappointment, call multiple banks in advance. If you secure one without an account, prepare to pay for the check in cash, akin to obtaining a money order.
How to Get a Cashier’s Check
Securing a cashier’s check is a straightforward process, but you’ll need to take a few steps:
- Visit Your Bank or Credit Union – While some banks offer online issuance, the most common method is to visit a local branch in person.
- Provide Necessary Information – Be prepared to provide the exact name of the payee and the exact amount for the check. It’s crucial to ensure all details are accurate to prevent any complications for the recipient.
- Payment for the Check – You’ll pay the bank the amount you want on the cashier’s check plus any associated fees. Some banks waive fees for premium account holders.
- Verification – Banks will verify your identity and the funds availability, whether from your account with them or via the cash you provide.
- Receipt of the Check – Once verified, the bank will issue the cashier’s check, which you can then deliver to the intended recipient.
In general, these will be the steps any any given bank or credit union, but it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process at the institution you plan to work with.
How Do Cashier’s Checks Work
A cashier’s check, often regarded as one of the most secure forms of payment, is a check guaranteed by a bank. Unlike personal checks, which are drawn from the account holder’s funds, a cashier’s check is drawn against the bank’s own funds. Here’s a breakdown of how they function:
- Guaranteed Payment – Since the funds for a cashier’s check are pulled from the bank’s own account, the recipient can be confident about the check not bouncing due to insufficient funds.
- Request & Issuance – To obtain a cashier’s check, an individual pays the bank the amount specified on the check plus any fees. The bank then issues a check to the desired payee.
- Safety Features – Cashier’s checks come embedded with multiple security features, such as watermarks, security threads, or holograms, making them harder to counterfeit.
- Clearance Time – Upon deposit, cashier’s checks typically clear faster than personal checks since the funds are guaranteed by the bank.
- Duration – Unlike some other financial instruments, cashier’s checks don’t expire, but it’s always a good idea to cash them sooner rather than later to avoid any potential complications.
When is a Cashier’s Check the Right Choice?
Cashier’s checks are particularly suitable for significant transactions, such as house down payments or car purchases. Some sellers might not accept credit or debit cards, making cashier’s checks a more secure alternative compared to cash or personal checks.
Typically, there isn’t a set amount limitation for cashier’s checks, making them apt for amounts exceeding $1,000 or beyond your card’s credit limit. While acquiring one, be prepared for a fee ranging between $5 and $15, depending on the financial institution. For instance, while Bank of America levies a $15 fee for a cashier’s check, it might waive this for select customers.
Alternatives to Cashier’s Checks When You Don’t Have a Bank Account
If a cashier’s check doesn’t align with your needs for sizable transactions, you have other reliable avenues:
1. Money Order
Much like a cashier’s check, a money order is a secure form of payment. Though backed by the purchaser rather than a bank, it’s pre-paid, ensuring its legitimacy. Without needing a bank account, you can procure money orders at places like the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, and some convenience stores. While relatively accessible with minimal fees, they have a cap – typically between $1,000 to $2,000.
2. Certified Check
A certified check involves your bank verifying you have the necessary funds, which are then earmarked until the check is redeemed. While similar to a cashier’s check, the primary difference lies in the backing – your funds vs. the bank’s. This method is generally viewed as reliable for substantial transactions and property dealings. It’s best to ascertain which the recipient prefers between certified and cashier’s checks.
3. Electronic Transfers
Directly shuttling money between bank accounts, electronic transfers render cashier’s checks unnecessary. Prevalent forms include ACH and wire transfers, each having distinct speed and cost attributes. While streamlined with bank accounts on both ends, some institutions allow wire transfers even without one.
4. Money Transfer Apps
Digital platforms such as Venmo (domestic) or Remitly (international) have modernized the transfer process. These apps, often not mandating a bank account and boasting reduced fees, permit funding via debit or credit cards. Recipients can receive directly in their bank or in-app wallet.
Other Options
- Prepaid Debit Cards: These cards can be loaded with funds and used much like regular debit or credit cards. They’re available at many retail outlets and can be reloaded with funds as needed. Some even allow for direct deposit of paychecks.
- Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending Platforms: Platforms such as PayPal can allow person-to-person money transfers without requiring a traditional bank account, though they often require some link to a financial source, like a credit card.
- Microfinance and Local Lending Circles: These are community-based methods where small amounts of money are lent to members of the group. It’s more common in certain cultures and communities.
How to Cash a Cahsier’s Check Without a Bank Account
If you’ve been handed a cashier’s check, rest assured, you don’t need an account with the issuing bank to cash it. When presenting the check, be prepared to show a photo ID that corresponds with the name on the check to confirm your identity.
Alternatively, you can deposit the check into another bank account you have. Institutions like Chase and U.S. Bank offer the convenience of depositing cashier’s checks via mobile apps or ATMs, though there might be deposit limits to consider.
For those seeking immediate cash, check-cashing stores are available, but they tend to charge higher fees.
Opening a Bank Account to Get a Cashier’s Check
You can also open an account at a bank to get a cashier’s check. If you have all of the documentation handy, this is a straightforward process. You will then need to deposit money into your bank account so that you can withdraw the money for the cashier’s check from the account.
Keep in mind it can take some time for non-cash deposits at a bank to clear. The money you deposit into your account may not be immediately available for withdrawal via a cashier’s check.
Contact your bank directly to clarify the funds’ availability policies for new accounts, including how they relate to cashier’s checks.
What to Do If You Lose a Cashier’s Check
If your cashier’s check goes missing, it’s crucial to notify the issuing bank promptly. However, remember they can only invalidate it if you return the physical check. Once it’s out in the world, there’s no direct method to negate it, leaving the door open for potential misuse by someone who discovers it.
Should you wish for a reissue, the bank might request an “indemnity bond,” safeguarding them from any repercussions. Patience will be essential, as it might take between one to three months before a replacement is issued.
Identifying a Fraudulent Cashier’s Check
Determining the authenticity of a cashier’s check can be challenging for both the recipient and the bank. Even when you deposit the check, banks are usually mandated by law to make those funds accessible within a set timeframe, often one business day for official instruments like a cashier’s check. However, this doesn’t confirm that the check has genuinely cleared or is legitimate.
The tricky part is that banks might not immediately recognize a fraudulent check upon deposit. They might only become aware of the issue when the other bank returns the check as unpaid, a process that can sometimes take several weeks. Fraudsters craft these checks with precision, ensuring they appear genuine, which only prolongs the detection of any deceit.
If the check turns out to be counterfeit, banks generally have the authority to reverse the credited amount, which means you would be responsible for returning the funds.
Difference Between a Cashier’s Check and a Money Order
A money order is an alternative to a cashier’s check. In many situations where a cashier’s check is needed, a money order will also do the job. Check with the payee whether they will accept a money order rather than a cashier’s check.
You “buy” a money order by providing the required amount, plus a fee. You can usually deposit the amount and then buy a money order in one stop. A money order is completely prepaid so it won’t bounce.
The downside to money orders is they are often restricted by a maximum amount. For example, the U.S. Postal Service offers a money order service, but only for purchases up to $1,000.
Key Differences Between Cashier’s Checks and Money Orders
Here are the main differences between a cashier’s check and a money order:
| Cashier’s Check | Money Order |
| Used for paying large purchases safely | Used for paying large purchases safely |
| Guaranteed by the bank, won’t bounce | Completely prepaid, won’t bounce |
| Usually requires a bank account | Doesn’t require a bank account |
| No maximum amount | Restricted by the maximum amount |
Do You Need a Bank Account to Get a Cashier’s Check?
A cashier’s check is guaranteed by the bank and will not bounce. When the payee deposits the cashier’s check, the funds used to pay it are drawn from the bank’s account. Cashier’s checks also tend to clear faster than a traditional personal check.
If you have a bank or credit union account, you can request a cashier’s check from your bank easily. It is a normal service that a financial institution will offer its customers. You usually get charged a small fee. You can even apply for a cashier’s check online.
If You Do Not Have a Bank Account
If you do not have a bank account, it may still be possible to get a cashier’s check. Some, but not all, banks will issue a cashier’s check to a non-customer for a fee. You will have to phone around to see whether a financial institution will be willing to help you.
If you are battling to get a cashier’s check without a bank account, see whether you can pay by money order instead. A money order is paid for upfront and can be issued without a bank account.
Read More
- How to Cash a Check Without an ID
- How to Close Chase Account
- How To Sign Over a Check
- How to Close Bank of America Account
- What is the Chase ATM Withdrawal Limit?
Final Thoughts
A cashier’s check is a convenient way to make safe, guaranteed payments for large amounts.
Some banks and other financial institutions may allow you to purchase a cashier’s check without an account. Call banks near you to see whether this is an option. You will generally need to pay cash for the cashier’s check if you don’t have an account where the funds can originate.
If you are wondering where to get a cashier’s check without a bank account, then a money order might be better suited for your needs. In many situations where a cashier’s check is needed, a money order will also do. Check with the payee whether they will accept a money order rather than a cashier’s check.
Best Lenders for Personal Loans
Avant (Best for Quick Approval)
Check rate
on partner page
on partner page
Avant Personal Personal Loan
Min. credit score
550
Fixed APR
9.95-35.99%
Variable APR
N/A
AmOne (Best of Low Credit Score)
Check rate
on website
on website
Upstart (Best for Fair Credit Score)
Check rate
on website
on website
OneMain Financial (Best for Good Rates)
Check rate
on website
on website
OneMain Financial Personal Loan
Min. credit score
None
Fixed APR
18.00-35.99%
Variable APR
N/A
SoFi (Best for Good Credit Score)
Check rate
on partner page
on partner page
Getting a Cashier’s Check FAQ
Below, you will find some commonly asked questions about where and how to get a cashier’s check and their answers.
What is a cashier’s check?
A cashier’s check is a secure form of payment where the funds are guaranteed by the bank that issues the check, as opposed to a personal check where funds are drawn from an individual’s account.
Where can I get a cashier’s check?
You can obtain a cashier’s check from most banks and credit unions. It’s advisable to visit a local branch of your bank or another financial institution.
Do I need a bank account to get a cashier’s check?
While having a bank account at the issuing bank might make the process smoother, some banks may issue a cashier’s check to non-customers for a fee.
How much does a cashier’s check cost?
Fees can vary between banks. While some might charge between $5 to $15, others might waive the fee for account holders or premium customers.
How long does it take to get a cashier’s check?
In most cases, if you visit a bank in person, you can get a cashier’s check almost immediately after your payment and details are verified.
Can I get a cashier’s check online?
Some banks offer online services for obtaining a cashier’s check, but this varies between institutions. Check with your bank’s online portal or customer service for specifics.
Is there a maximum or minimum amount for a cashier’s check?
Typically, there’s no upper or lower limit, making them suitable for large transactions. However, policies might differ between banks.
What information do I need to provide to get a cashier’s check?
Generally, you’ll need to provide the exact name of the payee, the exact amount, and a form of identification. You might also need your account number if you’re a customer of the bank.
Is a cashier’s check the same as a certified check?
No. While both are secure forms of payment, a cashier’s check is drawn from the bank’s own funds, while a certified check is drawn from a customer’s account with the bank certifying that sufficient funds are present.
Can a cashier’s check be cancelled?
If you lose a cashier’s check or need to cancel for another reason, it can be a complicated process. Typically, you’d need to request a “stop payment” and may have to obtain an indemnity bond, which protects the bank if someone else tries to cash the original check.
Rohit Mittal
Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.