To get a large check to clear faster, deposit it in person with a bank teller before the daily cutoff time, preferably early in the week. For faster, often same-day access, cash the check at the issuing bank (the bank named on the check) or use a check-cashing service.
In-person branch deposits
Depositing a check in person at a bank branch is often the fastest method. If deposited before the bank's cutoff time (which cannot be earlier than 2 p.m. by federal law), the check typically becomes available within 1 to 2 business days.
Personal checks typically clear within two business days. It can take up to seven days for some accounts. Government and cashier's checks and checks from the same bank that holds your account typically take one business day to clear.
Generally, it takes two to five business days to get all the funds from a check into your account. However, some factors might hold up the check-clearing process, like the status of your account or the place where you deposited the check. Find out exactly how long it takes a check to clear.
Large check
Banks can place additional holds on larger checks above $5,525. In these instances, your financial institution may hold the remainder of the check for up to seven days to ensure the transaction is valid and legal.
Note that under a separate reporting requirement, banks and other financial institutions report cash purchases of cashier's checks, treasurer's checks and/or bank checks, bank drafts, traveler's checks and money orders with a face value of more than $10,000 by filing currency transaction reports.
Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check) Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.) Cash the check at a check-cashing store. Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account.
To get Chase to release a check hold, you usually need to contact them directly via the app, phone (number on card), or branch, as holds often happen for verification or account issues like being new/overdrawn; provide any requested info (invoices, ID) and ask politely if they can release it early, especially if you have a good history. Chase might ask for an invoice or proof via encrypted email, so keep your contact info updated and check spam folders.
Cons of cashier's checks include susceptibility to sophisticated fraud (counterfeiting), high fees compared to money orders, cumbersome replacement if lost (requiring bank involvement), potential processing delays for large amounts, and the need to be an existing customer at many banks to purchase one. While secure for the payee, the recipient can still suffer significant loss if they deposit a fraudulent check and disburse funds before the fraud is detected, a common scam tactic.
However, banks do report deposits over $10,000. This is required as part of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Note that this amount is the daily aggregate amount, meaning if you have multiple transactions in a day that add up to $10,000 or more, the financial institution must report it.
The types of checks that clear immediately or very quickly are cashier's checks, certified checks, and government checks, because they are guaranteed by a financial institution or the government, with funds already set aside or provided directly from the institution. A cashier's check, in particular, draws from the bank's funds, while a certified check uses funds already verified and held from the personal account. U.S. Treasury checks, money orders, and checks from your own bank also fall into this category.
Most financial institutions have some form of limits on daily, weekly or monthly deposits. Checks exceeding this limit may need to be deposited in person. It's best to check your institution's limits before attempting a mobile deposit on a large check.
The Expedited Funds Availability Act requires up to the first $275 of a non-"next-day" check(s) to be made available the next day.
With some banks, your paycheck can be available up to two days before your typical payday if your employer uses direct deposit. This early access to your paycheck could help you keep up with bills and avoid late fees, especially on bills due around the time you receive your salary.
You can generally cash very large checks at a bank, but there's no universal limit; it depends on your account history, the bank's policies, and the check type, with amounts over $10,000 triggering mandatory reporting to the IRS. For big checks, expect extra verification, potential holds on funds, and it's best to call the bank first, especially if you don't have an account there or if it's not a cashier's check.
Removing a hold
In many cases, a hold will resolve itself after the standard waiting period of two to five business days. In other instances, you may have to contact your financial institution to pre-approve what they might believe to be a suspicious purchase or ask them to lift a hold you believe was placed in error.
Depositing a large check
If you make an unusually large deposit, your bank may place a hold on bank account funds until they can verify that these funds will clear. The same applies to multiple large deposits made in a short-time period.
How long will the hold on my deposited check be in place? Deposit holds typically range from 2-7 business days, depending on the reason for the hold. For deposits made on weekends, funds are considered deposited on Monday (the first business day), so the hold will go into effect the next business day (Tuesday).
A $2000 check usually clears within 1 to 2 business days, with federal law requiring the first $275 (as of July 2025) to be available by the next business day, and the rest typically following on the second business day, though government/certified checks clear faster and new accounts or repeated overdrafts can cause delays.
Banks often refuse to do so if an account doesn't exist, you're missing proper ID, you're trying to cash business checks, the amount is too large, or the check is either stale or post-dated. Being prepared before you head to the bank can help you prevent issues and ensure a smooth check-cashing experience.
How much does it cost? Walmart charges $4 to cash checks up to $1,000 and a maximum fee of $8 for checks greater than $1,000. In some cases, Walmart cashes two-party personal checks, but these are limited to a maximum amount of $200 and come with a $6 fee.
The IRS "10k rule" primarily refers to the requirement for businesses and financial institutions to report cash transactions over $10,000 by filing Form 8300 (for businesses) or a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) (for banks), under the Bank Secrecy Act. This rule helps combat money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorist financing, requiring reporting for single transactions or related transactions totaling over $10,000 in cash within a year, with penalties for non-compliance.
The short answer is that you can write personal checks for as much as you want if you have the money in your account, and the receiver can accept the amount.
It usually takes about 2 business days for a check to clear, though it may take more or less time depending on the circumstances. Learn more about check-clearing timelines and why delays can occur below.