You can deposit someone else's check into your own account, but the check must be endorsed to you or made payable to both of you

A check made out to another person is not automatically yours to cash. The person whose name is on the check (the payee) must sign the back of it and either write your name or sign it over to you before you can deposit it. This is called endorsement. Without it, your bank will reject the deposit.

If the check is made out to two people — "John Smith and Jane Doe" — both must endorse it. If it says "John Smith or Jane Doe," either one can endorse it alone. The difference matters, and your bank will catch it if the endorsement doesn't match what the check says.

Some checks come with restrictions printed on them, like "For deposit only" or "Not negotiable." These limit how the check can be used and may prevent you from cashing it in person at a teller window, though mobile deposit or ATM deposit may still work.

Key Takeaways

  • The person whose name is on the check must sign the back and write your name or sign it over to you before you deposit it.
  • If a check says "and" between two names, both people must sign; if it says "or," either one can sign alone.
  • Your bank may refuse a check if the endorsement doesn't match the payee name, or if the signature on the back doesn't match the signature on file for that person.
  • Some banks have limits on how much you can deposit in a single transaction or how many third-party checks you can deposit in a month.
  • If the check is damaged, altered, or very old (usually more than six months), your bank may reject it regardless of endorsement.

How endorsement works and what to ask for

The person who receives the check should sign their name on the back, in the space provided. Below their signature, they write "Pay to the order of [your name]" or straightforward "Pay to [your name]." Then you sign below that. This creates a chain showing the check moved from the original payee to you.

Some people write "For deposit only" and their name instead, which restricts the check to deposit only — it cannot be cashed at a teller window. This is safer if you're worried about the check being lost or stolen in transit.

Ask the person to do the endorsement in front of you if possible. If they mail it to you, ask them to sign and endorse it before sending it. Do not accept a blank-signed check or ask someone to sign the back without writing your name — banks flag these as suspicious and may refuse them.

What your bank will check before accepting the deposit

When you deposit a third-party check, your bank verifies several things. The endorsement must be in the correct order: the original payee signs first, then writes your name, then you sign. The signature on the back should match the signature the bank has on file for the original payee — though banks vary in how strictly they check this.

The check itself must be legible, undamaged, and not altered. If the amount is written differently in words versus numbers, or if there are cross-outs or corrections, the bank may reject it. The routing number, account number, and check number must all be readable.

Your bank will also check the date. A check is typically valid for six months from the date written on it. After that, it is considered stale-dated and most banks will not accept it, though some may contact the issuing bank to confirm the funds are still available.

Limits your bank may place on third-party deposits

Many banks restrict how much you can deposit in third-party checks or how often you can deposit them. Some allow one third-party check per month; others allow up to three or five. Some have a dollar limit — for example, no more than $500 in third-party checks per deposit or per month.

These limits exist because third-party checks carry higher fraud risk. If the original check bounces or is fraudulent, your bank may hold you responsible for the full amount, even if you deposited it in good faith. Knowing your bank's policy before you try to deposit can save you time and frustration.

Call your bank or check your account agreement to find out what limits explore to you. If you need to deposit a large third-party check, ask whether you can do it in person at a branch rather than through mobile deposit or ATM, as tellers sometimes have more flexibility.

When a bank will refuse a third-party check

Banks are not required to accept third-party checks, and many refuse them outright. Common reasons include: the endorsement is missing or incorrect, the signature on the back does not match the bank's records for the payee, the check is damaged or illegible, the check is stale-dated, or you have already hit your monthly limit for third-party deposits.

If the original payee's signature on the back looks forged or very different from their normal signature, the bank will reject it. This is a fraud prevention measure. If the check has been altered — for example, the amount changed or a name crossed out and rewritten — the bank will refuse it.

Some banks also refuse third-party checks if the original payee is not a customer of that bank, or if the check is from a bank outside the United States. If your bank refuses the deposit, ask them why in writing so you know whether to try again or ask the original payee to cash it themselves and give you the cash instead.

Alternatives if the bank refuses the check

If your bank will not accept the third-party check, the simplest option is to ask the original payee to deposit it into their own account and then transfer the money to you via bank transfer, Venmo, or another payment method. This avoids the endorsement issue entirely.

If the original payee does not have a bank account, they can cash the check at the issuing bank (the bank whose name appears at the bottom of the check) in person with a photo ID. They can then give you the cash. Some check-cashing services will also cash third-party checks, though they charge a fee — usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.

If the check is a paycheck and your employer allows it, you can ask your payroll department to reissue the check in your name instead. This is faster and cleaner than trying to deposit a third-party check.

How mobile deposit and ATM deposit handle third-party checks

Many banks that accept third-party checks in person at a branch will not accept them through mobile deposit or ATM deposit. The reason is straightforward: a teller can verify the endorsement and signatures in real time, but a mobile photo or ATM scan cannot.

If you want to use mobile deposit, call your bank first and ask whether third-party checks are allowed. If they are, take clear photos of both the front and back of the check, making sure the endorsement is fully visible and legible. Some banks require you to include a photo of your ID as well.

ATM deposit is even more restrictive. Most banks do not accept third-party checks at ATMs at all, because the machine cannot verify the endorsement. If you need to deposit a third-party check, plan to do it in person at a branch during business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the check is made out to a business name, not a person?

A check made out to a business name must be deposited into a business account in that business's name. You cannot deposit it into a personal account, even if you own the business. The person authorized to sign for the business must endorse it, and it must go into the correct account type.

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else if they give me permission but don't sign it?

No. Permission is not enough — the payee must actually sign and endorse the check. Without their signature on the back, your bank will reject it. The endorsement is a legal requirement, not a courtesy.

What happens if I deposit a third-party check and it bounces?

Your bank will charge you a fee (usually $25 to $35) and may reverse the deposit from your account. If you already spent the money, you will owe your bank the amount of the check plus the fee. The original payee is responsible for the bounced check, but you may have to pursue them for repayment separately.

Can I deposit a check made out to my business into my personal account?

No. A check made out to a business must go into a business account. Depositing it into a personal account is considered commingling funds and can create tax and legal problems. If you need the money in your personal account, deposit it to the business account first, then transfer it to yourself as a withdrawal or distribution.

Is there a time limit for endorsing a check?

There is no legal time limit for endorsement, but checks are typically valid for six months from the date written. After that, the bank may refuse to honor it. Endorse the check as soon as you receive it and deposit it right away to avoid this problem.