How can I cash a large check without fees?

To cash a large check without fees, deposit it at your own bank/credit union for free, cash it at the writer's bank (often free for non-customers too), or use the issuing bank's app/branch, but for a large check, opening a free checking account is best, as retailers & apps charge fees for instant access, though government checks are easier to cash.


What is the best way to cash a large check?

  • Cash the check at a financial institution where you are a customer, e.g. you may have a savings account.
  • Cash the check at a branch of the bank on which the check is drawn. You will probably be subject to a service fee.
  • Cash the check at a WalMart Money Center or at a check cashing service.


Can I cash a $20,000 check at Walmart?

Walmart MoneyCenter Services

Consumers can pay bills in Walmart stores with over 20,000 billers available. Customers can cash personal checks up to $200 and all other checks up to $5,000 for instant cash or have the amount added to a Walmart MoneyCard. Order customizable checks online or in-store.


Will a bank cash a $50,000 check?

The check is too large: Smaller branches of national banks and credit unions may not have sufficient cash on hand to cash a large check. For example, if a bank only keeps $50,000 on hand per day, it may not be able to part with a significant portion of that in a single transaction.

How to avoid fees when cashing a check?

Deposit the Check at Your Own Bank

You can take the check to your own bank and deposit it into your account, which may help you avoid fees.


How to cash a large check without a bank account?



Where can you cash a check with no fee?

Banks and credit unions generally allow you to cash a check for free if you're an existing customer. As an account holder, you can typically cash or deposit a check in person at a branch, at an ATM, or through the bank's mobile app.

Can I cash a $10,000 check at my bank?

Yes, you can usually cash a $10,000 check at your bank, especially if you're a customer, but expect potential holds or holds on funds, and the bank will report the large transaction to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) via a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) as required by law, though this is routine for legitimate funds and not usually a problem. It's wise to call your bank first to confirm their specific requirements for large amounts and to let them know you're coming, as they might need time to get enough cash or verify the funds. 

What is the largest check a bank will cash?

You can generally cash a very large check at a bank, as there's no strict legal maximum limit, but amounts over $10,000 trigger mandatory reporting (Currency Transaction Reports) to the government for anti-money laundering, and banks often place holds or require specific verification, especially if you're not a regular customer. Your ability to cash a huge check depends heavily on your relationship with the bank, account history, and the bank's specific policies, so calling ahead is best. 


How long does a $50,000 check take to clear?

A $50k check usually takes 2 to 5 business days to fully clear, with large amounts often triggering extended holds, though the first $225 must be available next business day. Expect holds up to 5 business days for amounts over ~$5,525, depending on your bank's policy and your account's history; government/cashier's checks clear faster. 

Can I withdraw $20,000 in cash from my bank?

Yes, you can generally withdraw $20,000 from a bank, but you'll need to do it in person at a teller, as ATM limits are much lower, and you should give your bank a heads-up (advance notice), especially if it's a large sum, as they may need to order the cash and will report it to the government via a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for amounts over $10,000, which is standard for tracking large cash flows. 

Will Walmart cash a $30,000 check?

As of 2018, we have a check cashing limit of $5,000, although we increase this limit to $7,500 from January to April of each year. Our check cashing fees are $4 for any checks up to $1,000. For checks between $1,001 and $5,000, the fee is $8. Two-Party Personal Checks are limited to $200 and have a max fee of $6.


Does PayPal cash checks instantly?

Yes, PayPal can cash checks quickly (often in minutes) using its "Cash a Check" feature in the app, but it typically involves paying a fee for the instant service; otherwise, you can get the funds in about 10 days for free after verification, with the process taking seconds to hours for initial review. 

Can a bank refuse to cash a large check?

Banks often refuse to do so if an account doesn't exist, you're missing proper ID, you're trying to cash business checks, the amount is too large, or the check is either stale or post-dated. Being prepared before you head to the bank can help you prevent issues and ensure a smooth check-cashing experience.

Will a bank cash a $100,000 check?

Generally, there's no set maximum limit for cashing checks. However, banks are required to report transactions over $10,000 to the government, as part of measures against money laundering.


Do banks flag large check deposits?

Yes, banks are legally required to flag and report any check or cash deposit over $10,000 (and related smaller deposits that add up) to the IRS by filing a Currency Transaction Report (CTR), but this is standard procedure for tracking potential money laundering and tax evasion, not an accusation of wrongdoing for legitimate funds. While a large check deposit might trigger a temporary hold for verification, transparency with your bank helps avoid issues, as the process is for financial safety and compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act. 

How long does it take for a $70,000 check to clear?

A $70,000 check will likely take 2 to 7 business days to fully clear, as large amounts trigger exceptions, but the first $225 is available next day; expect a bank hold on the large remaining balance while they verify funds, with government/cashier's checks clearing faster than personal checks, and new accounts or those with overdrafts facing longer delays. 

What is the downside of a cashier's check?

Cons of Cashier's Checks

The bank may charge a fee to issue the check, often $5 to $15, depending on the bank. May need to visit the bank in person to deposit a cashier's check. Cashier's checks can be fraudulent and used by scammers to fake high-value transactions.


What is the easiest way to cash a large check?

Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check) Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.) Cash the check at a check-cashing store. Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account.

Will a bank cash a $30,000 check?

Yes, you can cash a $30,000 check at a bank, but expect holds, verification, and potential reporting to the IRS (due to the >$10k amount). The bank will verify funds, might place a hold on the funds (especially for large sums), and will file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) with the IRS, but it's often easiest at the issuing bank with proper ID, potentially for a fee. 

How big of a check can you cash without reporting to the IRS?

Note that under a separate reporting requirement, banks and other financial institutions report cash purchases of cashier's checks, treasurer's checks and/or bank checks, bank drafts, traveler's checks and money orders with a face value of more than $10,000 by filing currency transaction reports.


What is the IRS $10,000 rule?

Generally, any person in a trade or business who receives more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or related transactions must complete a Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business PDF.

Will a bank cash a $20,000 check?

While you can deposit checks over $10,000 at any bank or ATM, cashing this requires the bank to report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a rule for all cash transactions over $10,000. If you need a substantial check, you may also want to consider cashier's checks that the bank guarantees.

Does IRS get notified of large check deposits?

The law also includes investment securities, Castaneda says. For individual cashier's checks, money orders or traveler's checks that exceed $10,000, the institution that issues the check is required to report the transaction to the government. The bank where an individual deposits the check doesn't need to.