To get a certified check you need to visit your bank branch and ask for instructions. After following the instructions and verifying the fund your bank will certify the check.
Do you need to pay someone with a certified check but do not know how to get a certified check?
Well, worry no more. In this post, I will provide detailed guidelines on how to get a certified check. Moreover, I will also add fees, additional requirements and answer all the related queries. So, stay with me.
Find out Are certified checks safe.
Can I Get A Certified Check From Any Bank
Most banks offer certified checks to their customers only. So, in most cases, you can not get a certified check from any bank you do not have an account with. Moreover, not all bank branches provide certified checks.
Certified checks are one of the safest forms of personal or business checks. Banks offer this service for a fee to their customers having the bank checkbook. Banks take the check amount from your bank account and keep it separately before certifying a check.
So, a bank you do not have an account does not have access to your account fund. On the other hand, as you are not their customer, you do not have their check. As a result, it’s hard a bank you don’t have an account with to issue you a certified check.
However, a selected number of banks offer check certification services to non-customers if the customer pays via cash. But it’s rare. So, most banks will offer only a cashier’s check to non-customers. But can I get a certified check at the post office?
Can I Get a Certified Check at The Post Office?
No, you can not get a certified check at the post office. But you can send certified checks to someone via postal services.
Post offices are not financial institutions. Though they offer money orders. However, they do not provide certified checks and cashier’s checks. So, you can only purchase a money order from post offices not certified checks.
However, you can use postal services to send a cashier’s check or certified checks. But it’s not completely safe.
Now we know where can you get a certified check. So, now let’s look at how to get a certified check.
How To Get A Certified Check
Getting a certified check can be pretty straightforward if you have a bank account. Here is how to get a certified check
- First, find out whether your bank offers certified checks or not. If they don’t offer one get a cashier’s check instead.
- Then keep enough balance in your account to cover the check fund. Remember the check fund will be frozen So, it’s better to keep a bit more money than the check fund for emergencies.
- After that visit your nearest bank branch with your checkbook.
- Go to the bank teller and ask for instructions on how to fill in the check properly.
- Follow the instructions properly and hand over the check to the bank teller.
- Then let the bank teller check the fund.
- After checking everything the bank teller will certify the check.
- Lastly, pay the fees and get a receipt. Keep the receipt with you until the check gets cleared.
However, the process and policies might vary depending on your bank. Some banks can even ask for your ID and SSN before certifying the check. So, contact your bank beforehand and find out the requirements before going there.
But what if you don’t have a bank account?
How To Get A Certified Check Without A Bank Account
Getting a certified check without a bank can be tough. But still, it might be possible with a little persistence. Here is how you can get a certified check without a bank account
- Contact all the banks and credit unions in your area and find out which banks offer certified checks.
- Find out the requirements.
- Get the equivalent cash of the check amount and go to the bank branch.
- Ask for instructions to fill up a check and follow it.
- Then show your ID and pay the check amount along with the fee.
- The bank teller will certify the check and provide you a receipt.
In case you don’t find a bank that offers certified checks to non-customers then you can get a cashier’s check from any bank. Because most banks offer it to non-customers and they are quite similar to certified checks.
You can also try opening a bank account to get a certified check. However, it will be time-consuming and most banks won’t even issue certified checks to new customers. But Can you get a certified check online?
How To Get A Certified Check Online
Unfortunately, you can not get a certified check online. You must visit a bank branch to get one.
Certified checks are safe because the payment is insured by a bank. However, if the check gets lost, there is nothing to do to cancel it, and it will require 90 days to get a refund. As a result, no banks offer it online. Because if you order them online the check must be sent by mail. There is a possibility of getting lost.
Moreover, the certified check is just a check from your own checkbook, payment certified by your bank. So, in the case of online orders, you first need to write a check, send it to the bank, then the bank verifies it, certifies it, and sends it back. All of this will take a lot of time and not be feasible at all.
As a result, no banks offer online certified checks. If you want an online solution for sending payments instantly then you can use mobile money apps instead of certified checks.
How Much Does it Cost To Get a Certified Check?
The fees for getting certified checks vary from bank to bank. Usually, the fee ranges between $8-$15.
Most banks charge additional fees for certifying a check even if you are a customer. Different banks have different policies regarding this. But the fees should not be more than $15. However, it can increase depending on your location.
Moreover, fees will be much higher if you are a non-customer and somehow convince the bank to issue you a certified check. On the other hand, there are also cancelation fees in case you need to cancel a certified check.
By now we have found out how to get a certified check or money order. Now, let’s look at some of the related queries.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to this topic.
How Long Does it Take To Get a Certified Check?
It Should not take more than an hour to get a certified check at any bank branch. However, if you go to the bank on a busy day then it might take more.
Can I Return a Certified Check?
Yes, you can return a certified check and get a refund as long as the check is in your possession. However, if you have lost it then you might need to wait for at least 90 days to get a refund.
How do I Get a Certified Check Without Going to the Bank?
There is no way of getting a certified check without going to the bank. You need to be physically present at a bank branch to get one.
In Summary
Getting a certified check with a bank account is quite simple. All you need to do is go to the bank branch with your checkbook. However, if you do not have a bank account then it can be quite difficult. So, in case you do not have a bank account then look for an alternative source of payment such as a cashier’s check or money order.
