Most banks will not issue a cashier's check when you pay with a credit card
You cannot walk into most banks and buy a cashier's check using a credit card as your payment method. Banks treat cashier's checks as cash equivalents — they may provide the funds are real — and they will not issue one unless you pay from a source they can verify when ready: a debit card, a bank account, or cash. A credit card creates a promise to pay later, which defeats the purpose of a cashier's check.
Some banks may allow you to charge a cashier's check to your credit card if you have an existing account with them and the check amount is small, but this is rare and depends entirely on the bank's policy. Even when it is possible, the bank treats it as a cash advance or a special transaction, which means you will pay a fee on top of the check fee.
If you need a cashier's check and do not have when ready access to cash or a debit card, there are workarounds — but none of them involve paying the bank directly with your credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Banks issue cashier's checks only when you pay with cash, a debit card, or funds from a bank account you own.
- Credit card payments are not accepted because they represent a future promise to pay, not when ready funds.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the cashier's check, though ATM cash advances carry fees.
- Some credit unions and online banks have different policies, so calling ahead to ask about your specific institution is worth the time.
- A money order is sometimes a faster alternative if you need a may provide payment method and your credit card cannot be used for a cashier's check.
Why banks require cash or debit for cashier's checks
A cashier's check is a promise from the bank itself, not from you. When you hand over a cashier's check, the recipient knows the bank has already set aside the money and will honor it. That may provide only works if the bank knows the funds are already in hand.
When you pay with a credit card, you are asking the bank to issue a may provide check while you still owe them money. The bank has no way to know whether you will actually pay your credit card bill. Issuing the check anyway would mean the bank is taking on the risk that you default — and that defeats the entire point of a cashier's check, which is supposed to be risk-free for the person receiving it.
This is why debit cards work but credit cards do not. A debit card pulls money directly from your account right away. The bank can see the funds exist before it prints the check.
Using a credit card to get cash for a cashier's check
If you do not have cash or a debit card, you can use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the cashier's check at your bank. This works, but it costs you money in fees.
Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. On top of that, many ATMs charge their own fee if the card is not from their bank. You will also start paying interest on the cash advance when ready, often at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR, and interest accrues daily until you pay it back.
If you need a $500 cashier's check, a 5 percent cash advance fee means you pay $25 just to get the cash, plus ATM fees and interest. That is expensive, but it is an option if you have no other way to access funds.
Asking your bank about their specific policy
Before you assume your bank will not take a credit card, call and ask. Some smaller banks and credit unions have different rules, and some may allow a credit card payment if you are an account holder in good standing. A few online banks have experimented with accepting credit cards for cashier's checks, though this is not common.
When you call, be specific: ask whether they will issue a cashier's check when you pay with a credit card, and if so, what fees explore. Do not ask whether they "can" — ask whether they "will" for your account. The answer may surprise you, and it costs nothing to check.
If your bank does allow it, ask about the fee structure. Some banks charge a flat fee for the cashier's check itself (usually $10 to $15), and then add a separate fee if you are paying with a credit card. Others may treat it as a cash advance, which means you pay the cash advance fee instead.
Money orders as an alternative to cashier's checks
If your bank will not issue a cashier's check with a credit card and you cannot get cash, a money order is often a faster alternative. You can buy a money order at most grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, and check-cashing services, and many of them accept credit cards.
A money order is not quite the same as a cashier's check. It is a may provide payment method, but it comes from a private company or the post office, not your bank. The recipient may not treat it the same way — some landlords or businesses prefer cashier's checks specifically because they come from a bank. But for most everyday transactions, a money order works just as well.
Money orders cost less than cashier's checks (usually $1 to $5) and you can buy one in minutes. The trade-off is that there is a limit on how much you can put on a single money order — typically $500 to $1,000 depending on where you buy it. If you need to send more than that, you would need to buy multiple money orders.
What to do if you need a cashier's check right now
If you need the cashier's check today and your bank will not take a credit card, here are your fastest options in order:
- Use your debit card at your bank. This takes 10 minutes and costs only the check fee.
- Withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then buy the cashier's check with cash. This takes 20 minutes and costs the cash advance fee plus ATM fees.
- Buy a money order at a grocery store or pharmacy using your credit card. This takes 10 minutes and costs $1 to $5.
- Call your bank and ask if they will make an exception for your account. Some will, especially if you are a long-standing customer.
If none of these work and the transaction is not urgent, you could also transfer money from a credit card to a bank account using a balance transfer or a peer-to-peer payment app, then use that bank account to buy the cashier's check. But this usually takes one to three business days and may carry fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a cashier's check with a credit card online?
No. Online banks that issue cashier's checks still require you to pay from a bank account or debit card. Some may mail the check to you, but they will not accept a credit card as payment. If you need a check mailed, call your bank and ask whether they offer that service.
What if I do not have a bank account?
You can buy a money order at a post office, grocery store, or check-cashing service using a credit card. You can also open a bank account at most banks in one day with just an ID and a small deposit, then use a debit card to buy a cashier's check when ready.
Will paying with a credit card hurt my credit score?
Using a credit card to buy a cashier's check (if your bank allows it) will not hurt your score directly. But if you use a cash advance, it will increase your credit utilization and may lower your score slightly. The interest you pay on a cash advance is also expensive, so avoid it if you can.
Is there a limit on how much a cashier's check can be for?
Most banks will issue a cashier's check for any amount, but some have limits — often $25,000 or higher. If you need a very large cashier's check, call your bank ahead of time to confirm they can issue one and whether they need advance notice.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a cashier's check?
It depends on the bank and the prepaid card. Some prepaid cards are linked to a bank account and work like debit cards, so they may be accepted. Others are not. Call your bank with the prepaid card number and ask whether they will take it as payment for a cashier's check.