Where can I cash an american check in Canada?

Question

Where can I cash an american check in Canada?

Answer 1

I am from the US and whenever my family sends checks up here for my son's birthday we just take them to the bank and deposit them.  No problem.

The only thing that might give you any problem is that some banks run a holding period on foreign funds.  This means that you might have to wait up to 30 days before you can access the funds.

Answer 2

I don't mean to sound sarcastic... But have you tried a bank?  They may call them Banc's up there...but you should be able to cash a check.

Answer 3

If you have an ATM card for your checking account, it will work up in Canada.

My ATM card has a $300/day limit at home but when I use it in Canada I've gotten $500 before, so they apparently don't have the same limits either.

Answer 4

Canadian branch of an American bank.

Answer 5

Notwithstanding all the previous answers, you may very well have a problem cashing an American "CHEQUE" (you might as well spell it properly if you're coming to Canada).  Somebody said to go to a Canadian branch of an American bank.  There ain't no such thing.   You MIGHT be able to deposit the cheque to your account through an ATM but if it were me I'd check with a teller at the bank first.  Most banks will not cash a cheque for you unless #1, you have an account with them and/or #2, the cheque is drawn on an account from that bank.   If it were me, I'd tuck the cheque into my wallet until I got home to the states and cash my 'check' at home.

Answer 6

You can try a bank for sure, there is another service available called MoneyMart, they may ask for a small fee but I believe they can cash checks.

As for Kimberlee, your dumb comment shows only how educated you are.

Answer 7

It's not likely you can CASH an American cheque unless  you have an established account at a Canadian Bank already. As has already been pointed out by knh959, there are no branches of American Banks in Canada. And even if you do have a Canadian bank account, you will need to have an excellent rapport with that bank based on what you have on deposit already.  If you open an account using a cheque for the opening transaction, you will have to wait for that cheque to clear the originating bank - that can be anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month, more likely a month.

You do not tell us what the circumstances are or it would be easier to give you direct information. If you are American travelling in Canada, it is a whole lot easier to use an ATM card and forget cheques altogether. I have travelled all over three continents and never used anything but my ATM card and a few traveller's cheques. Jcsthree mentions a large difference in the amount of the limit. I rather suspect the reason he got so much was due to exchange rates and not the limits allowed. Presently the American and Canadian dollar are close to par - 1.00 USD = 1.01712 CAD at the time of writing  so that there will be very little difference.

Of course, if these are traveller's cheques, if they are from a reliable outfit such as American Express, well those you can cash at a bank and some hotels and travel related businesses accept them.