William Lipovsky
Bank of America handles third-party checks on a case-by-case basis. It generally requires all parties to endorse the check and both signing parties to be present at the branch.[1]
I reviewed Bank of America’s online documentation and contacted branches in Washington, Virginia, and Kansas to find out more about its third-party check cashing policy. I detail its fees and requirements below.
Bank of America Third-Party Check Cashing Policy
Bank of America will cash or deposit a third-party check in some cases, but not all.[1]
There are strict regulations for cashing or depositing third-party checks due to an increased risk of fraud.[1]
The Financial Center manager will handle each check on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the branch will accept it.[1][2]
The bank will decline the check if it suspects fraud or the Financial Center manager can’t verify the signatures.[1]
If you’re unsure how to fill out the check correctly, see the step-by-step guide to how to sign over a check to someone else.
Fees
If Bank of America accepts your third-party check, the service is free for account holders.[3][2]
Non-account holders are subject to a fee of $8 for checks worth $50 or more and the check must be drawn on Bank of America.[3][2]
Requirements
The original recipient of the check and the person cashing or depositing it must endorse it.[4]
Both signers should be present and have at least one photo ID ready at the time of depositing or cashing the check; some locations require both parties to present two forms of ID.[1][2]
There isn’t a set limit on the check amount you can cash. However, the branch may set a limit at its discretion based on the amount of cash it has on hand.[5] See more on cashing a large check at Bank of America.
Alternatives
If you don’t have any luck at your local Bank of America branch, check out the list of where to cash a third-party check.
Tip: If you don’t have a Bank of America account, it’s a good idea to compare your options before heading to the bank to cash your check. You may be able to find an option with a fee lower than $8.
FAQ
No, third-party checks aren’t eligible for mobile deposit.[6]
Generally, Bank of America ATMs will reject third-party checks. However, you may be able to cash a smaller check (less than $200) if both parties are joint account holders at Bank of America.[1]
No, Bank of America does not accept third-party foreign checks for cashing or deposit.[1]
In Summary
Cashing and depositing third-party checks at Bank of America is at the discretion of each branch’s manager.[1]
If approved, there is no fee for account holders. For non-customers, there is an $8 fee if the check’s value is over $50.[1][2]
You can share your own experiences or ask further questions about cashing a third-party check at Bank of America in the comments section below.
I have a check in the amount of $16,251.50 written on Bank of America from where I was hit by a car on the crosswalk last October the 8th but have no ID.
Hello, Robert! For options, see our article on how to cash a check without ID. Banks, retailers, and check cashing stores do require ID for you to cash a check, but there are a few alternatives you can try, which we detail in that article. Best of luck!
Hi, I am wondering how I can cash my payroll check. I do not have a valid ID at the moment. I have a paper ID but it is expired. Would it be possible to sign the check over to somebody else so they can cash it for me?
Hello, Alyssa! You can try signing the check over to someone else, but the bank may still ask for IDs to verify both of your signatures. You may also want to try using an alternative form of identification. We have a dedicated article on ways to cash a check without an ID which explains your options.