Banking Banking Basics

How to Get a Cashier’s Check (and When You Need One)

Cashier's checks are available from most banks and credit unions and offer a secure way to make large purchases.

Edited by Michael Kurko

Updated Feb. 27, 2025

Using checks to make payments isn't as common these days because there are often faster, more convenient options to choose from. But in some situations, you may still need to use a check.

Personal checks are the most familiar way to pay using a check for most of us, but they're not as secure as other options. Cashier's checks are often safer and better for making large purchases, such as buying a car or making real estate transactions, because the issuing bank or credit union backs them.

Here's how to get a cashier's check, when to use one, the pros and cons of this payment method, and alternatives to consider if you decide against it.

What is a cashier's check?

A cashier's check is a secure form of guaranteed payment offered by banks and credit unions to individuals upon request. Unlike a personal check, which draws funds directly from your own checking account, cashier's checks draw from an institution's funds. When you purchase one from a bank, either your own or one you don't have an account with, you provide the money needed to cover the full payment. The institution then adds the money to its own account and guarantees that the check's payment will go through when cashed, writing a check from its account when the time comes.

Because they're guaranteed by financial institutions as well as your own funds, cashier's checks are doubly secured — they can't bounce. As a rule, there's no limit to how much money you can put on a cashier's check.

You can purchase this check with a debit card or direct account transfer; you can not purchase cashier's checks with credit cards. There's typically a fee of around $8 to $15 for each check, but some banks will waive the fee if you have a certain type of checking account with them.

Cashier's check vs. certified check

Cashier's checks differ from certified checks in that cashier's checks are backed by an institution's own funds, while certified checks are a form of personal check backed by your own funds. Certified checks draw directly from the funds in your account but include a guarantee from your financial institution that you have the funds needed and are good for the money. Your bank will look at your account's balance when issuing this check before stamping it with its certification.

As "official checks," both cashier's and certified checks are considered more secure than personal checks. They also have similar fees and can be used interchangeably in many situations that call for guaranteed payment, especially larger purchases.

Cashier's check vs. money order

Unlike cashier's checks, money orders don't come from any bank account, either yours or your bank's. They're still a form of secured payment, but you can purchase one with cash upfront or a debit card transfer. In some cases, you might be able to use a credit card. Money orders are also different from cashier's checks because you don't need to buy them from financial institutions, although you can. Many post offices, grocery and retail stores, and shipping centers also provide money orders and may have lower fees than banks and credit unions.

Money orders do not offer very high limits. Usually, you can only purchase them for up to about $1,000 at a time or $3,000 if you provide ID. They also have lower fees than cashier's checks, often costing around $3 to $5. We recommend them for smaller transactions where you want to add a layer of safety and in situations when you want to pay for something but don't have access to a bank account.

When to use a cashier's check

Cashier's checks are typically best for large purchases and payments that require extra security. Consider using a cashier's check for these types of transactions:

Making a down payment on a house
Paying closing costs on a house
Buying a car, boat, motorcycle, or ATV
Putting down a security deposit for an apartment
Making a bill or debt payment

Editor's note

Cashier's checks are difficult to cancel, so we recommend thinking through your payment options carefully for large and secure purchases and only choosing a cashier's check if you're certain you need it. You should also use extreme caution when handling a cashier's check to make sure you don't lose it.

How to get a cashier's check

The process of getting a cashier's check is typically similar among financial institutions. Here's how to get started:

Visit your bank or credit union in person and let them know you want a cashier's check. Call ahead or check online first to make sure they offer cashier's checks. Some banks will also let you order cashier's checks online.
Pay any required fees for the cashier's check along with the full amount of the check upfront. You can typically make this payment with funds from one of your accounts at the bank or with cash.
Provide the required information to your financial institution. This often includes identification for you as well as information about the recipient of the check. Make sure you know the name of the recipient, as you will need to include it on the check.
Get a receipt for the transaction once your check is printed and filled out, including signatures from employees if needed. A receipt could be helpful for tracking purposes or if the check is lost and you need evidence of the transaction, so this step is very important.

Advantages of cashier's checks

Cashier's checks differ from personal checks in that they are guaranteed by a credit union or bank. For that reason, they are sometimes called bank checks or official checks. Because personal checks are based on the money being available in an individual's bank account, they are generally considered less secure. A personal check could be returned or bounce due to insufficient funds, but you have to pay the full amount of a cashier's check upfront.

Cashier's checks also typically offer security features that generally aren't found on a personal check. This could include a unique watermark that would likely be hard to duplicate and signatures from bank or credit union employees. Some people prefer to use cashier's checks because they are printed with the information of their financial institution in place of their personal information, too.

Due to the added security features, cashier's checks are often used to make large payments and avoid check scams, which are far more common for personal checks. Using a cashier's check is sometimes required or recommended for certain transactions, such as closing costs.

Disadvantages of cashier's checks

One of the main disadvantages of cashier's checks is inconvenience. You'll often need to visit a physical bank branch to get one, and they can be very tedious to replace or stop payment on. You'll also need to pay a fee of up to $15 when issued, which might not seem like a big deal for transactions of thousands of dollars but can be frustrating for smaller payments.

Certified checks are one of the most secure payment methods there is, but they're not immune to scams. Fraudulent cashier's checks are generally only an issue if you're the one a check is made out to, so you should be on the lookout for signs that your check might be fake if you ever receive one. The FDIC provides tips for spotting counterfeit checks.

Alternatives to cashier's checks

Cashier's checks might be the right payment option in certain situations, but they don't make sense for every type of transaction. Here are some alternative forms of payments ‌we suggest.

Certified checks

As covered, certified checks are similar to cashier's checks because you can use them for large purchases that require more security than a personal check provides. The additional security provided by a certified check could include a stamp or mark from the financial institution that verifies your signature and that you have enough money in your account to cover the check.

Certified checks are typically more secure for the recipient than personal checks because of this verification process, and they're generally thought to be just as safe or nearly as safe as certified checks. Compared with a cashier's check, however, a certified check might not have a secure watermark or bank employee signatures. Certified checks are also drawn against the funds in your account and not paid for upfront like a cashier's check.

Money orders

Money orders are another way to transfer money between parties, and they can be purchased at locations other than your bank or credit union. Although personal checks can bounce if you don't have sufficient funds, you pay for a money order in advance.

Consider a money order instead of a cashier's check in these situations:

You don't have another way to send money to someone.
You don't want to send a check with your printed personal information.
You're not comfortable carrying that much cash.
A vendor requires payment with a money order.

Pro tip

Money orders can be subject to fraud. Because of this and the fact that a store instead of a bank can back them, some people won't accept money orders as a form of payment. Check ahead of time with the payee if you're considering this payment method, and only purchase these from companies or institutions you trust.

Wire transfer

A wire transfer is a method of electronically transferring funds between banks. This could involve sending money domestically or internationally. International wire transfers are sometimes called "remittance transfers."

When you wire money, no physical check is exchanged. This could be important if you want to avoid having cash or a check stolen. In most cases, wire transfers can often be processed quickly and are used to transfer large amounts of money.

However, there's often a cost for getting this speed and convenience. It's not uncommon for wire transfers to cost upwards of $20 to $30 or more. An international wire transfer is likely to cost more but can be a more convenient way to exchange funds for foreign currency.

To send a wire transfer, you will need to visit a local branch of your financial institution or initiate a transfer online. Certain non-bank money transfer services might also be able to wire money to a payee.

You'll need the following information to make a wire transfer:

Your recipient's name and address
The name of your recipient's bank
Your recipient's bank account number and routing number
SWIFT or BIC code for your recipient's bank (for international transfers)
A valid U.S. mobile phone number

Payment apps

Payment apps are commonly used to make payments to friends, family, and acquaintances. This could include paying your portion of dinner, paying rent, or sending money as a gift. These types of apps work on most smartphones and handle only electronic payments.

Popular payment apps include Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and others. They're often free to download and use, though you might have fees on some apps if you use a credit card as a payment method.

Most payment apps require you to link a bank account or debit card as your source of funds. Payments between apps are often instantaneous, but transferring a balance from your app account to your bank account could take a few business days. Some apps offer instant bank transfers for a fee.

For two of the most popular financial payment apps, check out our comparison of Cash App vs. Venmo.

FAQs

How much does a cashier's check cost?

It depends on the financial institution, but it's not uncommon for a cashier's check to cost between $8 to $15. This fee may vary depending on whether you buy the cashier's check online or in a bank branch. In some cases, a bank or credit union might waive the fee for cashier's checks if you hold a specific type of account with them.

Do cashier's checks clear immediately?

It's possible that a cashier's check could clear more quickly than other types of checks, but it depends on the bank or credit union. Some financial institutions have policies in place regarding large deposits that could delay the check clearing for a few business days. In general, you can expect funds from a cashier's check to be available the same or next business day.

What happens if I lose a cashier's check?

If you purchase a cashier's check and then lose it, your bank or credit union may require you to obtain an indemnity bond if you want another cashier's check. This acts as an insurance policy for the bank so it doesn't have to pay for two cashier's checks if you find the original one.

Bottom line

Cashier's checks aren't typically used on a daily basis and are often reserved for making large purchases. But because they offer security features and are backed by banks and credit unions, they are a preferred payment option in some situations.

Most checking accounts offer cashier's checks and the other payment options mentioned above, but for different fees. If you're not happy with what your bank offers, check out our list of the best checking accounts to find one that offers the services you need.

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