You can deposit your friend's check into your own account, but the check must be made payable to you or signed over to you first
A check made out to your friend cannot go directly into your account — the bank will reject it because the name on the check does not match the account holder. However, your friend can sign the back of the check and write your name on it, which is called endorsing the check to you. Once endorsed, you can deposit it into your account. Some banks accept this without question. Others have stopped accepting third-party checks (checks signed over from one person to another) because of fraud concerns, so you should call your bank first to ask whether they will take it.
The safest and most straightforward option is to have your friend deposit the check into their own account first, then transfer the money to you through their bank's app or website. This takes a few minutes and avoids any confusion about whose check it is.
Key Takeaways
- A check made out to your friend cannot be deposited into your account unless your friend endorses it to you by signing the back and writing your name.
- Many banks no longer accept third-party checks because of fraud risk, so call your bank before attempting to deposit an endorsed check.
- The easiest method is to have your friend deposit the check into their own account and then send you the money through a bank transfer or payment app.
- If you do endorse a check to someone else, sign your name on the back and write "Pay to the order of [their name]" above your signature.
How check endorsement works
When you sign the back of a check, you are endorsing it. The back of the check has a line or box marked "Endorse here" — that is where you sign. If you want to give the check to someone else instead of cashing it yourself, you write "Pay to the order of [their name]" on the back, then sign your name below that. Your friend can then take that check to their bank and deposit it.
The person whose name appears on the front of the check (the payee) must be the one to sign the back. If your friend receives a check made out to them, only your friend can endorse it to you. You cannot sign the back of a check made out to someone else — that would be forging their signature, which is illegal.
Why some banks refuse third-party checks
Banks stopped accepting third-party checks at many institutions because they create fraud risk. When a check passes through multiple people, it becomes harder to track who is responsible if the check bounces, if it is a forgery, or if there is a dispute about the money. A bounced check means there was not enough money in the account when the bank tried to cash it, and the bank may charge fees to both the person who wrote the check and the person who tried to deposit it.
Even if your bank does accept third-party checks, the teller may ask questions about your relationship to the person who wrote the check, or they may put a hold on the deposit while they verify it is legitimate. A hold means the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it yet — holds typically last three to five business days, though they can be longer.
What to do before you try to deposit an endorsed check
Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person and ask whether they accept third-party checks. You can find the customer service number on your bank card or on the bank's website. Tell them you want to deposit a check that has been endorsed to you, and ask what documents or information they will need. Some banks ask to see a photo ID from both you and the person who endorsed the check. Others may refuse outright.
If your bank does not accept third-party checks, do not waste time trying — the teller will turn it down at the counter. Instead, ask your friend to deposit the check into their own account and send you the money another way. Most banks offer free transfers between accounts, and payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App make it straightforward to move money between friends in minutes.
Using mobile deposit instead of going to a branch
Many banks let you deposit checks by taking a photo with your phone through their mobile app. If you want to deposit an endorsed check this way, take a photo of the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The app will ask whose account the check is being deposited into — make sure you select your own account. Mobile deposit has the same rules as in-person deposit: your bank either accepts third-party checks or it does not.
Mobile deposit is faster than going to a branch, but it does not solve the problem if your bank refuses third-party checks. Check your bank's app or website to see whether third-party checks are mentioned in their deposit policy.
When a check is made out to two people
Sometimes a check is written to two people — for example, "Pay to the order of John Smith and Jane Doe." Both people must sign the back of the check before it can be deposited. If the check says "and," both signatures are required. If it says "or," usually only one person needs to sign, but you should call your bank to confirm because the rule varies by bank.
If you and your friend are both on the check and you want to deposit it into your account, your friend must sign the back and endorse it to you, and you must also sign. This gets complicated quickly, which is another reason why having your friend deposit the check into their own account first is usually simpler.
What happens if the check bounces
If you deposit an endorsed check and it bounces, your bank will charge you a fee — typically $25 to $35 — and the money will be removed from your account. You will then owe your friend the amount of the check, because from your bank's perspective, the deposit never happened. Your friend also owes the person who wrote the check, because their account did not have enough money to cover it.
This is one reason banks are cautious about third-party checks. If you are depositing a check from someone you do not know well, or if you are unsure whether the check is good, ask your friend to deposit it into their own account first. Once the check clears — usually within three to five business days — they can send you the money with confidence that it will not bounce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check made out to my friend if they are not present?
No. Your friend must sign the back of the check themselves. You cannot sign their name or forge their signature. If your friend is not available to endorse the check, ask them to deposit it into their own account and send you the money instead.
What if my bank accepts the check but it bounces later?
Your bank will remove the money from your account and charge you a fee. You will owe your friend the amount of the check. Contact your friend right away so you can work out how to repay them. Your friend may also face fees from their bank for writing a check without sufficient funds.
Is it illegal to deposit someone else's endorsed check?
No, it is legal if the check has been properly endorsed to you by the person whose name is on it. It becomes illegal only if you forge someone's signature or deposit a check that was not endorsed to you.
Do I need to tell my bank I am depositing an endorsed check?
You do not need to tell them in advance, but calling ahead to confirm they accept third-party checks saves you a trip to the branch. If you are depositing through a mobile app, the app will ask whose account it is going into — select your own account and proceed normally.
Can I endorse a check to someone else and have them deposit it?
Yes, if your bank accepts third-party checks. Sign the back of the check, write "Pay to the order of [their name]," and give it to them. They can then deposit it into their account, but they should call their bank first to confirm the bank accepts third-party checks.