In this article, we’re answering “Can you cash a check at an ATM?” The short answer is “yes”. But, there are some nuances that you should be aware of.
Importantly, if you are a foreign non-resident who has met the stipulations of opening in the US, you may face additional hurdles when attempting to use ATMs internationally.
In this article, we’re going to share everything you need to know to navigate cashing checks at ATMs and we will also be answering common questions we receive on the topic.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- Can You Cash a Check at an ATM?
- What Do I Need to Cash a Check?
- How Do I Deposit a Check?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Open Accounts With Banks in the USA?
Can You Cash a Check at an ATM?
Yes, you can cash a check at an ATM by depositing it after check endorsement. That said, each bank sets its own check-cashing policies. This can impact the timing, process, and restrictions related to ATM check cashing and check verification.
For example, while most banks will allow for an ATM deposit, cash withdrawal immediately after depositing a check is not always possible. So, it’s important that you weigh banking convenience against the availability of the funds. In many instances, you might find that check cashing isn’t as convenient as the other deposit options.
It’s also important to note that certain financial institutions allow individuals to cash checks at their ATMs even if they don’t have an account at the bank. While this may appear like an attempt to expand ATM availability by extending their banking services to others, ATM transactions like this can incur high ATM fees.
Before diving in any further, if this is your first time visiting GlobalBanks, don’t forget to download your FREE US Banking Starter Guide. It’s designed to help non-residents with opening bank accounts at top financial institutions in the US.
What Do I Need to Cash a Check?
What you need to cash a check will also vary depending on the option you choose. That said, in most cases, valid government-issued identification of the person cashing the check is required.
Additionally, you will need the physical check with the correct information to present to the bank, and if you are cashing a check on behalf of someone else, you will need to ensure that the check is correctly endorsed.
Alternatively, if you plan on depositing the check instead of cashing it, you will have a wider range of options available to you. However, in the case of making a deposit, you will also need to have the information for the account where you want the funds deposited. Likewise, the specific requirements and verification methods will vary depending on the method you choose. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how to deposit a check.
How Do I Deposit a Check?
You have a number of different options to choose from to deposit a check, including visiting a branch in person yourself, endorsing the check and someone else taking it to a branch, depositing via a mobile application, depositing via an ATM, and even depositing via third party fintech applications.
There are different steps you will need to follow, depending on the method you plan to use to deposit a check. However, in all cases, you will need to sign the back of the check and submit it to a financial institution.
With this in mind, here is a closer look at the specific options available to you when depositing a check.
- Visit a branch and deposit the check in person
- Endorse the check and send someone else to deposit it for you
- Deposit the check via your bank’s ATM
- Deposit the check via a different bank’s ATM
- Electronically deposit the check via your bank’s mobile application
- Deposit the check using a third-party fintech application
The availability of these options will depend on your bank, the value of the check, and the accounts you have available to you. Likewise, in certain instances, longer holds may be applied to the check using one of the above methods over the others. So, if you need short-term access to the money tied to the check, you should confirm the hold periods for each of the above options before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are three of the most common questions we receive from people looking into if you can cash a check at an ATM. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How Do ATMs Verify Checks?
ATMs verify checks in two different ways. The first method involves manually verifying the check details on the next available business day. The second method involves capturing an image of the check, which can automatically verify the check details for the depositor. Not surprisingly, manual verification is common with older ATM machines that are being phased out. On the other hand, image verification is common with new ATM machines being introduced by most major banks.
Can I Cash a Check at an ATM If I Don’t Bank There?
Whether you can cash a check at an ATM if you don’t have a bank account there ultimately depends on the bank. For example, certain banks will allow individuals who do not have accounts at their financial institution to cash checks. However, there are typically restrictions that apply, so this option is not available to everyone.
Can I Cash a Check at Chase ATM Within an Account?
Yes, you can cash a check into your account using a Chase ATM if you have a bank account at Chase. Alternatively, if you have an account at another bank, you can use an ATM managed by your bank in order to cash a check.
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