Can You Cash a Post-Dated Check (Payroll, etc)? Where? Answered

Most checks are written with the current or past date (backdating) on them. However, there may be times when you receive a personal, payroll, or even government check that is post-dated (that is, with a future date written or printed on it). Despite what many believe, it is legal to cash a post-dated check.^[1]

State laws vary regarding post-dated checks, but according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the only way to prevent a post-dated check from being cashed or deposited is by giving written or oral notice to the bank or credit union the check is drawn on. Written notices are valid for six months, while oral notices are valid for 14 days.^[2]

Banks and credit unions don’t have to wait until the date listed on the check to cash it.^[3] This means you can cash or deposit a post-dated check as soon as you receive it.

Keep in mind that if you write a personal post-dated check, the same rules apply. The recipient can cash the check as soon as they receive it (even if you don’t have the funds in your account), and you’ll be charged any overdraft fees according to your bank’s policies. If this happens, you may want to check out our article about how to get an overdraft fee waived.

Comparison Table

See the table below for a quick comparison of the fees for cashing post-dated checks at places that offer the service. You can select any business or scroll for more information.

The List

Below, we list the places where you can cash a post-dated check, including information about potential fees you may encounter as a non-account holder. We’ve ordered the list in each category starting with the best overall options.

Banks

Banks will generally cash all types of post-dated checks, including personal, payroll, government, and insurance checks.

1. Citibank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion; some locations won’t cash checks for non-members.^[4]
• Fees: None^[4]
• Find a Citibank

2. HSBC

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion^[5]
• Fees: None^[6]
• Find an HSBC

3. Fifth Third Bank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion unless a stop payment is placed on the check^[7]
• Fees: None for Express Checking account holders; 50% of check amount for anything less than $5; 2% of checks for all other amounts with a $3 minimum^[8]
• Find a Fifth Third Bank

4. KeyBank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion^[9]
• Fees: None^[9]
• Find a KeyBank

5. U.S. Bank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at their discretion unless a stop payment is placed on the check^[10]
• Fees:
  • Account holder: Free
  • Non-account holder: $7^[10][11]
• Find a U.S Bank

6. Chase Bank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks unless a stop payment is placed on the check^[12]
• Fees:
  • Account holder: Free
  • Non-account holder: Free for checks under $50; $10 fee for checks above $50^[13]
• Find a Chase Bank

7. Bank of America

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion^[14]
• Fees:
  • Account holder: Free
  • Non-account holder: $8 for checks over $50^[15]
• Find a Bank of America

8. BMO Harris Bank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion^[16]
• Fees:
  • Account holder: Free
  • Non-account holder: $10 fee for checks greater than $50^[17]
• Find a BMO Harris Bank

9. Regions Bank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion^[18]
• Fees:
  • Account holder: Free
  • Non-account holder: No fee for checks under $25 drawn on a Regions Bank account; otherwise, a fee of 1% of the total check amount applies (minimum $5; maximum $20), depending on check type.^[19]
• Find a Regions Bank

10. TD Bank

• Policy: May cash post-dated checks at the branch’s discretion^[20]
• Fees:
  • Account holder: Free^[20]
  • Non-account holder: $10 fee may be assessed for checks drawn on TD Bank^[21]
• Find a Regions Bank

Check Cashing Stores

Remember to bring a valid, government-issued photo ID to a check cashing store in order to cash a post-dated check.

1. ACE Cash Express

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Varies by location; may cash payroll, personal, tax refund, government, and insurance checks^[22]
• Fees: Vary by location^[22]
• Find an ACE Cash Express

2. PLS Check Cashing

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Any check it would normally cash as long as it’s verifiable; this includes payroll, personal, government, business, out-of-state checks, and more^[23][24]
• Fees: Starting at 1% of the check amount plus $1 for payroll checks, recurring government checks, or PLS money orders up to $1,000; greater amounts and other check types will vary based on check type, amount, and other risk factors.^[23][24]
• Find a PLS Check Cashing

3. Check Into Cash

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Varies by location; contact your nearest store for details.^[25]
• Fees: Vary by location^[25]
• Find a Check Into Cash

4. Advance Financial

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Payroll, personal, government, and insurance checks^[26]
• Fees:
  • Personal checks and money orders: 10% ($5 minimum)
  • Payroll checks: 1% to 2.99% ($3 minimum)
  • Government checks: 1% to 2.99% ($2 minimum)
  • Other checks: 1% to 5% ($5 minimum)^[27]
• Find an Advance Financial

5. The Check Cashing Store

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Payroll, government, small business, personal, insurance, and money orders^[28][29]
• Fees: Vary by location and check amount^[28][29]
• Find a Check Cashing Store

6. Money Mart

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Payroll, personal, small business, government, insurance checks, and money order^[30][31]
• Fees: Vary by location and check amount^[30][31]
• Find a Money Mart

Retail Stores

1. Food Lion

• Types of post-dated checks cashed: Government, rebate, U.S. traveler’s, and tax refund up to $500, as well as payroll checks up to $1,000^[32][33]
• Fees: Vary by state^[32][33]
• Find a Food Lion

Places That Don’t Cash Post-Dated Checks

While most banks and credit unions will cash post-dated checks, many stores will not — we list these establishments below.

Banks

We located just one regional bank that did not cash post-dated checks:

Santander Bank

• Policy: Does not cash post-dated checks. However, if you have an account, you can deposit post-dated checks and they will clear on the posted date.^[34]
• Fees: Free for account holders^[34]

Stores

The following stores have verified — through calls to customer service — that while they provide check cashing services, they do not cash post-dated checks:

• Albertsons
• Giant Eagle
• Giant Food
• Hannaford
• Kmart
• Kroger
• Meijer
• Publix
• Safeway
• Shaw’s
• Walmart
• WinCo Foods