William Lipovsky
Below, I list the places where you can cash a starter check, including banks, credit unions, and check cashing stores, complete with each option’s fees and requirements.
I also explain what to know about starter checks and answer common questions about cashing them.
What I Recommend
Your best option for cashing a starter check will be your own bank since there is no fee.[1]
Keep in mind, though, that most banks only give cash up to the amount you have in your bank account. If the amount of the check exceeds your balance, the bank will likely deposit the rest into your account.[1]
The next best thing is to cash a starter check at the issuing bank. Some banks don’t charge fees when non-members cash one of their checks and those that do generally charge less than check cashing stores.[1]
Comparison Table
You can use this table to compare fees for each bank, credit union, and check cashing store.
Note that fees listed for banks and credit unions are only for non-account holders.
You can also tap on each business name to go directly to more detailed information about its policy.
| Business | Fees |
|---|---|
| Bank of America | $8 for checks greater than $50 or non-Bank of America checks |
| BMO Harris Bank | None for checks less than $50; $10 for checks greater than $50 |
| Chase Bank | None |
| Citibank | None |
| Citizens Bank | $7 |
| Connexus Credit Union | None |
| Fifth Third Bank | 2%; $5 minimum |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | None |
| Old National Bank | None |
| PenFed Credit Union | None |
| PNC Bank | None for checks less than $25; 2% for checks greater than $25 |
| Regions Bank | 6% |
| TD Bank | $10 |
| Truist Bank | $8 |
| U.S. Bank | $7 |
| Wells Fargo | None |
| Advance Financial | 1% to 5%; $5 minimum |
| Amscot | 9.9%; $3 minimum |
| Money Mart | Vary by state |
The List
The following places cash starter checks. I’ve divided the list into sections for banks/credit unions and check cashing stores so you can more easily find the option that works best for your check.
I confirmed this information by contacting customer service representatives and each business’s online policy documentation.
Banks and Credit Unions
Note that the fees listed below are for non-account holders. Check cashing services are free if you’re a member.
Bank of America
- Fees: None for Bank of America checks under $50; $8 for Bank of America checks over $50 and for all other starter checks[2][3]
- Requirements: Two forms of ID (one can be a debit card from another institution)[2]
- Find a location
BMO Harris Bank
- Fees: None for checks under $50; $10 for checks over $50[4][5]
- Requirements: Two forms of ID; check must be drawn on BMO Harris Bank; non-customers can generally only cash checks up to $3,000, though this is at the discretion of each bank’s manager.[4]
- Find a location
Chase Bank
- Fees: None[6]
- Requirements: You must be a Chase account holder and present a valid ID;[6] find out more about check cashing at Chase Bank.
- Find a location
Citibank
- Fees: None[7][1]
- Requirements: Valid government-issued ID; non-members can only cash checks drawn on Citibank up to $5,000;[7][1] find out more about Citibank check cashing.
- Find a location
Citizens Bank
- Fees: $7[8]
- Requirements: Valid ID; non-account holders can only cash Citizens Bank starter checks.[8]
- Find a location
Connexus Credit Union
- Fees: None[9]
- Requirements: Valid ID; non-customers can only cash Connexus Credit Union starter checks.[9]
- Find a location
Fifth Third Bank
- Fees: 2% of the check with a $5 minimum[10]
- Requirements: Government-issued ID; checks not drawn on Fifth Third Bank must pass its verification system.[10]
- Find a location
Navy Federal Credit Union
- Fees: None[11]
- Requirements: Valid ID; non-members can only cash Navy Federal Credit Union starter checks.[11]
- Find a location
Old National Bank
- Fees: None[12]
- Requirements: Two forms of ID (one can be a bill); must be drawn on Old National Bank for non-customers; limits for non-customers are at the discretion of each branch, but Old National Bank doesn’t typically cash large checks.[12]
- Find a location
PenFed Credit Union
- Fees: None[13]
- Requirements: Valid ID; PenFed Credit Union will only cash checks for account holders.[13]
- Find a location
PNC Bank
- Fees: No charge for checks less than $25; 2% of the check amount for checks greater than $25 ($2 minimum)[14][15]
- Requirements: Two forms of ID (one can be a debit or credit card); non-customers can only cash starter checks drawn on PNC Bank.[16]
- Find a location
Regions Bank
- Fees: 6% of the check[17]
- Requirements: Valid photo ID; starter checks must pass its third-party verification system.[17]
- Find a location
TD Bank
- Fees: $10[18]
- Requirements: Government-issued photo ID; non-customers can only cash checks drawn on TD Bank and must provide two forms of ID.[19][18]
- Find a location
Truist Bank
- Fees: $8[20]
- Requirements: Valid photo ID; checks must be drawn on Truist Bank for non-customers.[20]
- Find a location
U.S. Bank
- Fees: $7[21]
- Requirements: Valid ID; non-account holders can only cash checks drawn on U.S. Bank.[21]
- Find a location
Wells Fargo
- Fees: None[22]
- Requirements: Valid photo ID;[22] find out more about Wells Fargo check cashing.
- Find a location
Check Cashing Stores
Keep in mind that at all of the following check cashing stores, checks typically must pass verification before cashing.
If the store can’t verify the check and funds availability, it won’t be able to cash it.
Advance Financial
- Fees: 1% to 5% or a minimum of $5, whichever is larger[23]
- Requirements: Valid government-issued ID[23]
- Find a location
Money Mart
- Fees: Vary by state[24]
- Requirements: Government-issued photo ID[24]
- Find a location
Amscot
- Fees: 9.9% of the check with a $3 minimum fee[25][26]
- Requirements: Valid ID;[25][27] note that Amscot is located in Florida only.[28]
- Find a location
Tip: Starter checks expire in the same time frame as regular personal checks, which is typically six months after the owner dates it.[12][29][30] To avoid an expired check, keep it somewhere where you’ll see it often or set a reminder for yourself if you don’t plan to cash it right away.
Places Where You Can’t Cash a Starter Check
The following places generally don’t cash starter checks.
However, policies may vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check with your local store if you prefer to cash checks at one of these businesses.
FAQ
Yes, temporary checks, starter checks, and counter checks are all the same thing.[21]
Starter checks generally have the bank’s routing number and the account number printed on the front just like a normal check, but may not include the account holder’s personal information.[4]
Generally, you can’t cash a starter check if the check writer has insufficient funds. Most check cashing businesses have verification systems to prevent you from cashing or depositing a bad check.[35][25][10] If you deposit a bad starter check, the bank or credit union can reverse the refunds and remove them from your account.[10][17][36]
In Summary
Due to the indication of a lack of financial history, some places that cash checks won’t cash starter checks.
However, you can usually cash starter checks at your own bank or the issuing bank. Keep in mind that the issuing bank may charge non-customers a fee.
You can also cash starter checks at some check cashing stores, though these stores often charge larger fees than banks and credit unions.
Feel free to share comments or questions regarding cashing starter checks in the comments section below. You can also relate how things went for you if you think it could be helpful to others.
