How to cash any check in Nigeria (Online mOney Check)

The joy of becoming a Google Adsense Publisher is receiving the check and smile to the bank but if you can not cash this check, then it becomes worthless and useless. Google Adsense, the programme that allow bloggers, webmasters and publishers make money from their blogs and websites, will issue and send a cheque to its publishers every month. However, to get this check,  you must have reached the payout threshold, which is US $100 or €70. If your Adsense earnings is not up to $100 or €70 in a given month, you will not be issued a check for that month but your earnings will be rolled over to the next month.

Therefore, after reaching the payout amount, you will get a cheque for that but unfortunately, the check will be issued in foreign currencies, either in Dollars or Euros, depending on your choice of payment method. Because of this, it becomes a headache for Nigerians to cash this cheque, as it is not issued in Naira. But you can still cash your Google Adsense cheque in Nigerian banks with the help of what is called “Domiciliary Account”.

A Domiciliary Account is a Current Account in foreign currencies. That is, the account only operates in Dollars, Euros, Pounds CFA, etc. You can choose to open a Domiciliary Account in any of this currencies, but it should depends on the payment method you choose in your Google Adsense’s account. Although Google have some other few methods of payment available to some other countries like, Western Union, Electronic Fund Transfer (ETF), Paypal, etc, but only Check is available to Nigerians as at the time of writing this article.

How to open a Domiciliary Account in Nigeria

I will be using Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) as the case study because that is the bank I currently operate a Dom account with. It is quite easy to open a Domiciliary Account with GTBank, especially if you already operate a Savings or Current Accounts with them. All you have to do is, walk into any branch of GTBank Plc, meet the Customer Service Reps and simply tell them you want to open a Domiciliary Account and you should be directed to the person in charge.


As at present, I can not say the exact amount you need to have to get the said account, but I opened mine early this year with $100, that was about N15,000.

Here are other things you will need to open a Domiciliary Account with GTBank or any other banks in Nigeria:

1. A Government issued ID card. This can be your National ID Card, Driver’s Licence, International Passport or your Voter’s ID Card.

2. A passport photograph.

3. A recent utility bill like PHCN bill or Water bill, etc.

4. Two (2) References of which must be a Current Account holder either in GTBank or any other banks in Nigeria. However, I will like to stressed that it is better to get references who has accounts with the same bank you intend to use because the verification process will be faster and easier.

NOTE: The reason I advised you get references from the same bank you intend to use (not compulsory anyways) is that the verification will be faster. The implication is that, if the references you provide are not verified, although, you will be able to deposite your Adsense check but you will not be able to withdraw your money from the account.

You will be given a form called “Foreign Currency Domiciliary Account Opening Form”, complete the form and submit it with the other requirements together with your 2 references.

However, let me highlight the most important aspect of the form:

- Name/Company: The name that should be here must be the same in your Adsense Payee name

- Occupation/Profession/Business: You can write “Google Adsense Publisher” here

- Type of Domiciliary Account: Tick the currency you have on your Adsense account as the Payment Method. In my case, I ticked US Dollars because that is what I have in my Payment Method in my Adsense Account settings.

You can fill the rest field like your current GTB account number, Nationality, Name and Signature. Then submit the form together with the 2 reference forms and other requirements. The reference forms should be signed by your references.

Just as I earlier said, I used GTBank for my Domiciliary Account and that was why I am using the bank as a case study. I am not in any way promoting or mandating you to use GTBank Plc. Other banks in Nigeria also operate this kind of account. Banks like UBA charges about $200 for opening a Dom account, Intercontinental Bank charges $150 while First Bank rate goes as high as about $500. So, the choice is yours to make.

How to Cash and Withdraw Your Money

After you must have reached or exceeded the monthly payout, and there is no hold on your Adsense account, and no fraudulent activities were discovered in your account, you should be issued and sent a check by Google, either through Standard Check Delivery (local postal services – NIPOST – free) or through Secured Express Delivery (DHL – cost €17). This totally depends on the Payment Option you choose in your Adsense account.

If you choose the Standard Check Delivery option, the check will get to you 2-3 weeks from the day of issued but if you choose Secured Express Delivery, you should get your Google Adsense check within 3-5 days.

NOTE 1: If you are using Standard Check Delivery, you should use a P.O Box preferably, but if you do not have one and can not avoid one, do not worry, you can still use your home address. Just make sure your address is descriptive enough.

NOTE 2: If you are using the Secured Express Delivery, only make use of your home address because your check will be delivered to you by a private courier – DHL – this will cost you €17 per check sent.


How to Withdraw Your Money?

Very simple. Just walk into any GTBank and request for Domiciliary Withdrawal Slip, fill it, give it to them and you will be paid, but in Dollars or whatever currency you choose. You can then exchange it to Naira right inside the bank or anywhere else.