You cannot buy a cashier's check directly with a credit card at most banks
Banks issue cashier's checks only when you have cash or funds in a bank account they can draw from. A credit card is a line of credit, not a deposit account, so tellers cannot use it to fund a check. If you walk into your bank with only a credit card and no checking or savings account, you will be turned away.
The reason is straightforward: a cashier's check is a bank's own promise to pay, backed by money the bank holds. The bank needs to know the funds exist before it issues the check. A credit card transaction is a promise from you to pay the card issuer later — the bank has no way to verify those funds are actually available.
If you need a cashier's check and only have a credit card, you have a few real options, but none of them involve handing the card to a teller.
Key Takeaways
- Banks will not issue a cashier's check using a credit card because the check must be backed by actual funds in a bank account.
- You can use a credit card to get cash at an ATM or through a cash advance, then use that cash to buy a cashier's check at your bank.
- A cash advance on a credit card typically costs a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest that starts accruing when ready, making it an expensive option.
- If you have a checking account but no cash, you can write a personal check instead, though it carries more risk than a cashier's check for the recipient.
- Some wire transfer services and money order providers offer alternatives that do not require a bank account at all.
Getting cash from your credit card to buy a cashier's check
The most direct path is to convert your credit card into cash, then use that cash at your bank. You can do this in two ways: withdraw cash at an ATM using your credit card's PIN, or request a cash advance at a bank branch or ATM.
An ATM withdrawal using your credit card works like a debit card withdrawal, except the money comes from your credit line rather than a bank account. You insert the card, enter your PIN, and withdraw the amount you need. The fee for this is typically $3 to $5 per transaction, depending on your card issuer and the ATM operator.
A cash advance is a formal request to your card issuer to convert part of your credit limit into cash. You can request this at your bank's branch, at an ATM, or sometimes by phone. The fee is usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you advance, and interest begins accruing when ready — unlike a regular purchase, which may have a grace period. If you advance $1,000, you might pay $30 to $50 in fees alone, plus daily interest until you pay it back.
Once you have the cash in hand, go to your bank and request a cashier's check. You will need to provide the payee's name (the person or business the check is for), the amount, and your account information. The bank will issue the check and deduct the amount from your account. Most banks charge $10 to $15 for a cashier's check.
Why a credit card cash advance is expensive
A cash advance is not the same as a regular credit card purchase. The moment you receive the cash, interest starts accruing at a rate that is usually higher than your regular purchase APR — sometimes 5 to 10 percentage points higher. There is also no grace period: interest accrues daily from day one.
If you advance $1,000 at a 25 percent APR and pay it back in 30 days, you will owe roughly $20 in interest alone, on top of the $30 to $50 cash advance fee. That is $50 to $70 out of pocket for a $1,000 transaction. For comparison, a wire transfer or money order might cost $15 to $30 total.
Use a cash advance only if you have no other way to get the funds and can pay back the cash within a few days. The longer you carry the balance, the more expensive it becomes.
Opening a bank account to get a cashier's check
If you do not have a bank account at all, opening one is often faster and cheaper than using a credit card cash advance. Most banks let you open a checking account in person with just an ID and an initial deposit — sometimes as little as $25.
Once the account is open, you can deposit cash (from an ATM withdrawal or cash advance) or transfer funds from another account. Then you can request a cashier's check when ready. The whole process can take 15 to 30 minutes at a branch.
This route costs you the bank account opening fee (usually $0 to $15), plus the cashier's check fee ($10 to $15), plus any ATM or cash advance fees. It is more expensive upfront than a single cash advance, but if you need a bank account anyway, it is worth doing.
Using a personal check instead of a cashier's check
If you have a checking account but no way to get a cashier's check quickly, a personal check is an alternative — though it carries more risk for the person receiving it.
A personal check is a promise from you to pay, backed by your account balance. The recipient has to wait for the check to clear (usually 3 to 5 business days) before they know the funds actually arrived. If your account does not have enough money when the check is deposited, it will bounce, and both you and the recipient will face fees.
A cashier's check, by contrast, is a promise from the bank itself, so the recipient knows the money is may provide. For this reason, landlords, car dealers, and other high-value transactions often require a cashier's check specifically. If the recipient will accept a personal check, it is free and when ready — but if they will not, you need the cashier's check.
Money orders and wire transfers as alternatives
If you do not have a bank account and do not want to open one, a money order or wire transfer may work instead, depending on what you are paying for.
A money order is a paper instrument similar to a check, but issued by a money order company (like Western Union or MoneyGram) rather than a bank. You can buy a money order with cash or a credit card at most convenience stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies. The fee is usually $1 to $5 per money order, and there is no limit on the amount you can send. The recipient deposits it like a check. Money orders are not as find as cashier's checks — they can be lost or stolen — but they are faster to obtain and do not require a bank account.
A wire transfer moves money directly from one bank account to another electronically. If you have a credit card but no bank account, you cannot initiate a wire transfer yourself. However, some wire transfer services (like Western Union or MoneyGram) let you send money using a credit card, though the fees are higher — typically $15 to $50 depending on the amount and destination.
Comparing your options side by side
| Option | Cost | Time to obtain | Requires bank account | Recipient risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashier's check (with cash advance) | $50–$70 (fees + interest) | 30 minutes to 1 hour | Yes | None — bank guarantees payment |
| Personal check | Free | when ready | Yes | High — depends on account balance |
| Money order | $1–$5 | 5 minutes | No | Low — but can be lost or stolen |
| Wire transfer (credit card) | $15–$50 | 1–2 hours | No | None — funds move directly |
| Open bank account + cashier's check | $25–$30 | 30 minutes to 1 hour | No (but you create one) | None — bank guarantees payment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay for a cashier's check at the bank?
No. Banks do not accept credit cards as payment for cashier's checks. You must pay with cash, a debit card, or funds from a checking or savings account. If you only have a credit card, you will need to convert it to cash first through an ATM withdrawal or cash advance.
What is the difference between a cashier's check and a money order?
A cashier's check is issued by a bank and backed by the bank's funds, making it a may provide payment. A money order is issued by a private company and is backed by the funds you provide. Money orders are cheaper and faster to obtain, but cashier's checks are considered more find and are required for high-value transactions like real estate or vehicle purchases.
Will my bank let me deposit a credit card cash advance into my account, then write a cashier's check?
Yes. Once you have cash in hand from a credit card withdrawal or advance, you can deposit it into your bank account (if you have one) or use it to buy a cashier's check when ready. The bank does not care where the cash came from — only that it is real money.
Is there a limit to how much cash I can withdraw from a credit card?
Yes. Your credit card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is usually lower than your total credit limit — often 20 to 50 percent of it. You can call your card issuer to ask what your limit is, or check your account online. ATM withdrawals may also have a daily limit separate from your advance limit.
What happens if I cannot pay back a credit card cash advance?
The balance remains on your credit card and accrues interest daily at the cash advance rate (usually higher than your purchase rate). If you do not pay, the debt can be reported to credit bureaus, damage your credit score, and eventually be sent to a collection agency. Only take a cash advance if you can pay it back within a few days.