Can You Send a Cashier’s Check in the Mail?

Yes, you can send a cashier’s check through the mail. A cashier’s check is a secure form of payment, often used for significant transactions where guaranteed funds are necessary. While generally safe, taking specific precautions helps ensure its secure arrival and mitigate potential risks.

Understanding Cashier’s Checks

A cashier’s check is a payment instrument issued and guaranteed by a bank, drawing funds directly from the bank’s own account rather than an individual’s personal account. The bank or credit union signs the check, making it a direct obligation of the financial institution. Funds for a cashier’s check are typically withdrawn from your account or paid in cash at the time of issuance, ensuring the money is available. People often use these checks for large purchases, such as real estate deposits, vehicle acquisitions, or when a seller requires assured funds. You can obtain a cashier’s check from your bank or credit union, usually for a small fee, often ranging from $10 to $15.

Protecting Your Cashier’s Check in the Mail

Mailing any valuable document carries inherent risks, including loss, theft, or potential fraud. Even though cashier’s checks have security features, taking preparatory steps before mailing them adds an important layer of protection. Mail can be susceptible to various forms of fraud, including attempts to intercept or alter documents.

Before placing a cashier’s check in the mail, make clear copies of both the front and back for your personal records. This documentation can prove invaluable if the original check is lost or stolen. Ensuring the recipient’s address is accurate and complete on the envelope helps prevent misdelivery. Using a plain, non-descript envelope, rather than one that might signal valuable contents, can also reduce attention.

Selecting a mailing service with added security features is advisable. Certified Mail provides proof of mailing, electronic delivery verification, and tracking capabilities. For higher security, Registered Mail offers enhanced protection with items handled in sealed containers and restricted access during transit, often including insurance coverage.

Mailing Your Cashier’s Check

Place the check inside the chosen envelope, ensuring it is flat and secure. Clearly write or print the recipient’s full name and address, along with your complete return address, on the envelope.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers several services for sending cashier’s checks. Certified Mail provides a mailing receipt and requires a signature upon delivery. Priority Mail Express offers expedited delivery, typically overnight or within two days, and includes tracking and some insurance coverage. Registered Mail provides the highest level of security for valuable items, with controlled handling and a chain of custody.

After mailing, retain the tracking number provided by the postal service to monitor the check’s delivery status through the USPS website or by phone. If the cashier’s check is lost or stolen in transit, immediately contact the issuing bank to report the loss. The bank will typically require you to complete a “declaration of loss” form. A waiting period, commonly 90 days, often applies before a replacement check can be issued or a refund processed, and an indemnity bond might be required to protect the bank if the original check is later presented.