A cashier’s check (sometimes called an official check) is drawn on the bank’s own funds after the bank pulls money from your account or takes cash. Landlords, title companies, and some car sellers still ask for one because it is harder to bounce than a personal check. It is not free, and fake cashier’s checks remain a common scam.
Typical fees and timing
| Channel | Typical fee range (illustrative) | Same-day? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branch at Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank | Often $8–$15 | Usually yes if funds available | Bring ID; some banks cap the amount without advance notice |
| Credit union branch | Often $0–$10 for members | Usually yes | Membership rules apply |
| Online / mail official check (Ally and similar) | Fee varies; delivery adds days | No | Plan ahead for closings |
| Non-customer / walk-in | Higher or refused | Varies | Many banks serve customers only |
Fee lines also show up in Checking account fees. Confirm the current fee in the personal schedule or with teller chat before you visit.
When you actually need one
Common legitimate asks:
- Apartment security deposit or first month when the lease says “cashier’s check or money order only.”
- Real estate closing when the title company lists certified funds (amount often exact to the penny).
- Private-party car or boat purchase when the seller will not take a personal check or Zelle for a multi-thousand-dollar payment.
- Court, government, or school payments that reject personal checks.
You usually do not need a cashier’s check for everyday bills, rent that already accepts ACH, or amounts you can safely send by bank wire with a written payoff letter.
Step-by-step order
- Confirm the exact payee name and amount from the landlord, title company, or purchase contract. Misspelled payee lines cause reissue fees.
- Make sure available balance covers amount + fee. Pending deposits may not count; ask about holds on recent mobile deposits.
- Go to a branch or start the online official-check request with government ID. Some banks also ask for the account debit card.
- Watch the teller debit your account before they print. Keep the receipt and check copy.
- Store the check like cash until delivery. If it is lost, ask the bank about an indemnity bond and stop process (can take weeks and may cost extra).
If you are mid bank switch, keep the funding account open until the check clears the purpose you bought it for (Switching banks without missed payments).
Holds and scam warnings
- Depositing a cashier’s check someone gave you can still face holds or later return if it is counterfeit. Banks may give provisional credit, then reverse it.
- Overpayment scams: a buyer “overpays” with a cashier’s check and asks you to wire the difference back. The check later bounces; you are out the wire.
- Phishing: fake bank texts about a cashier’s check problem. Use the number on your card, not the text (Phishing and account takeover).
Prefer ACH, wire with a verified payoff letter, or in-person bank-to-bank methods when the other party is a titled institution. FDIC/NCUA insurance covers deposit accounts, not a lost check in your backpack (FDIC and NCUA insurance in practice).
Worked example
Jordan needs a $2,400 cashier’s check for a lease deposit at a local property manager. At a Bank of America branch, the official-check fee is $15 (illustrative). Jordan’s available balance is $3,100. The teller debits $2,415, prints the check payable exactly as the lease states, and Jordan gets a receipt. Jordan photographs the check front/back before handing it over and keeps the stub for 90 days.
If Jordan’s bank is online-only with mailed official checks, Jordan would order 7–10 days before move-in instead of same-day. Shopping accounts with branch access is part of How to choose a checking account when you often need certified funds.
Checklist
- Get payee name and amount in writing.
- Confirm fee and same-day availability with your bank.
- Verify available balance covers amount + fee.
- Bring ID; keep the receipt and a photo of the check.
- Never wire “change” back on a cashier’s check you deposited from a stranger.
- Ask about reissue steps before you travel with the check.
Educational only. Not banking or legal advice. Fees, holds, and indemnity rules vary by institution.