You don’t fill out a cashier’s check—the bank representative does. A cashier’s check isn’t drawn from your account. It’s drawn directly against the bank’s funds. You give money to the bank, and they issue their own check to your recipient.
Since the bank guarantees payment, a cashier’s check is a trusted form of payment for private-party car purchases. They can’t bounce (like personal checks), and unlike wire transfers, they don’t require the seller’s private banking info.
Let’s walk you through getting and using a cashier’s check for your car purchase. We’ll also show you a faster, more convenient way to pay for your next vehicle.
You might not write the cashier’s check, but you do need to collect some information to give to the bank representative. Since bank branches are only open during business hours, don’t show up without the following information:
Smart car buyers avoid rushing to the bank at the last minute. Contact your bank beforehand to verify their check fees and requirements for large transactions. Some banks waive fees for certain account types or may have daily limits on cashier’s check amounts.
Visit a bank branch or credit union (preferably your own) during business hours. You can’t get a cashier’s check online or over the phone.
Here’s what happens at the bank:
Show the teller the seller’s name in writing to avoid spelling errors. Errors will require you to return to the bank and get a new check.
Once you have your cashier’s check, store it in a safe place until you meet with the seller. Unlike personal checks or wire transfers, a cashier’s check contains minimal personal information, but it’s still a guaranteed form of payment that needs to be protected. A more common problem is loss or theft. Canceling and replacing a lost or stolen cashier’s check can take up to 90 days, which will ruin your deal most of the time.
Sellers will verify your cashier’s check before signing over the title. They can do this in two ways:
After verification, you can proceed with the title transfer and vehicle exchange. Cashier’s checks take several days to clear, but they are backed by the bank’s funds. The seller can be confident they’ll receive payment, and you can be confident you’ll get your car. Even better, go with the seller to their bank so they can cash the check before continuing the sale.
Shipping a cashier’s check requires some planning, but you can use a cashier’s check to buy a long-distance car. Since a cashier’s check is as good as cash, you need to treat it with the same level of security.
Use a trackable shipping service that requires a signature. We recommend using Priority Mail Express with insurance. The delivery fee is worth it for the security and tracking features you get.
Never send a cashier’s check without:
Keep your tracking number and insurance documentation. Contact the seller when you ship the check and provide them with the tracking details. Most sellers will wait to cash the check before shipping the vehicle or releasing it to your transport company.
Lag time is one of the reasons cashier’s checks aren’t the best way to pay for long-distance cars. But it’s not the only downside of paying by cashier’s check.
Cashier’s checks are time-tested but have aged as a car payment method. They have some frustrating limitations compared to digital payment solutions.
Cashier’s checks take time and require you to run errands. Both issues slow down your purchase and create friction. Smart buyers and sellers are ditching traditional checks for high-tech payment solutions.
DealNow combines the security of bank-backed payment with the convenience of a mobile app. It’s designed for high-dollar car transactions, eliminating the hassles and risks of traditional payment methods.
Here’s how DealNow outperforms cashier’s checks:
Ready to experience a faster, safer way to pay for your car? Save a tree. Create a DealNow account today.
Contact your bank representative to cancel your cashier’s check. You’ll need to get a replacement check, which typically requires purchasing an indemnity bond and waiting 30–90 business days. During this time, your funds remain frozen. The bank may also charge additional check fees for the replacement.
Non-account holders can purchase cashier’s checks from many traditional banks, but expect higher fees and additional verification steps. However, some banks only issue cashier’s checks to customers. Your best option is to use the financial institution where you have a checking account.
Unlike money order companies that cap transactions at $1,000, most banks don’t set an upper limit on cashier’s checks. Large sums of money may trigger additional security measures or require approval from a bank customer service representative. Some banks also charge higher fees for larger amounts.
Both are bank-backed checks, but they work differently. A certified check is drawn against your personal account with the bank certifying the funds are available and your signature is genuine. A cashier’s check is drawn from the bank’s funds, offering enhanced security since the bank guarantees payment.
You can split a payment across multiple cashier’s checks, but this is needlessly complex and costs more. Each check must be verified, and some sellers may be uncomfortable accepting multiple checks since cashier’s checks can usually be written for any amount.
Banks will verify their own cashier’s checks during banking hours. Most banks won’t verify other institutions’ checks. The safest way to verify a cashier’s check is to meet at the issuing bank during business hours.
Cashier’s checks are guaranteed by a bank’s cash reserves, but the actual transfer between financial institutions isn’t instant. Banks often place holds on large deposits, even for cashier’s checks, and the full amount might not be available for several business days.
Digital payment services such as DealNow offer instant verification and transfer for immediate access to funds without holds or delays.
Each cashier’s check has a unique tracking number that allows banks to trace the entire transaction. This process isn’t instant; it can take several business days and usually requires filing formal paperwork with the financial institution. If a check is lost or stolen, the tracking process becomes more time-consuming and may involve additional fees for cancellation and re-issuance.
Most private sellers accept cash, cashier’s checks, or bank transfers. Some use digital payment platforms, though most have transfer limits too low for car purchases.
DealNow combines the best features of other payment methods:
We also walk both parties through the transaction process to streamline private car transactions.
Physical cash is risky for high-value transactions such as cars. Cash can get lost, destroyed, or stolen. During the exchange, both parties need to count the bills and the seller needs to verify them, which is time-consuming and needs to be done someplace safe.
For standard car purchases, you typically don’t need legal help. If you’re buying a rare or extremely expensive vehicle, ask a tax advisor for assistance with understanding the potential implications, or have legal counsel review the paperwork.
DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transact, all in one app.
