You can deposit someone else's check, but the check must be signed over to you first
A check made out to someone else cannot go directly into your account. The person whose name is on the check must sign it over to you — a process called endorsement — before you can deposit it. This is a legal requirement, not a bank policy. The bank needs proof that the original payee authorized the transfer to you.
The most common situation is when a family member receives a check meant for a shared expense, or when someone pays you back by giving you a check made out to them instead of to you. In either case, the solution is the same: they sign the back, you deposit it.
Key Takeaways
- The person named on the check must sign the back and write your name, then you sign below their signature before depositing.
- Some banks require the original payee to be present when you deposit the check, or to have a separate account at that bank.
- A check can only be endorsed to one other person — you cannot take a check endorsed to you and endorse it to someone else.
- If the check is made out to multiple people with "and" between the names, all of them must sign it; if it says "or," usually one signature is enough.
- Mobile deposit (taking a photo to deposit through an app) may not work for endorsed checks at all banks, so ask first or deposit in person.
How to endorse a check to you
The person whose name is on the check should turn it over and look at the back. There is usually a blank line or a box labeled "Endorse here." They write their signature on that line. Below their signature, they write "Pay to the order of [your name]" or straightforward "Pay to [your name]."
Once they have done that, you sign below their endorsement. Your signature goes on the same back of the check, below theirs. Then you can deposit it into your account. The check now shows a chain: it was made out to them, they endorsed it to you, and you are depositing it.
Keep the check in good condition — do not fold it or write over the signatures. Banks scan these checks, and if the endorsement is unclear, the deposit may be rejected.
Bank rules about who can deposit an endorsed check
Most banks will accept an endorsed check from you, but some have additional requirements. A few banks require the original payee to be present in person when you deposit it, even though they have already signed it over. Others require that the original payee also have an account at that same bank.
Before you ask someone to endorse a check to you, call your bank or check their website to see what they require. A five-minute call can save you a trip to the branch with a check that the bank will not accept. If your bank has strict rules, you can ask the original payee to deposit it into their own account and then send you the money through a transfer or another method instead.
Checks made out to two or more people
If a check says "John Smith and Jane Doe," both people must sign it. The word "and" means both names are required to cash or deposit the check. If it says "John Smith or Jane Doe," usually only one signature is needed, though some banks ask for both to be safe.
If you are one of the people named on the check and the other person wants to endorse their share to you, they still need to sign the back. The rule is the same: whoever is named on the front must authorize the transfer by signing the back.
What happens if you deposit a check without proper endorsement
If you try to deposit a check made out to someone else without their signature on the back, the bank will reject it. The teller will explain that the check needs to be endorsed and send it back to you. You will then have to get the original payee to sign it and try again.
If someone deposits a check in your name without your permission, that is fraud, and you should report it to your bank when ready. Your bank can reverse the deposit and investigate. Do not sign a blank check or a check made out to you and then hand it to someone else without knowing exactly what they plan to do with it.
Mobile deposit and endorsed checks
Many banks let you deposit checks by taking a photo through their mobile app. However, some banks do not accept mobile deposits of endorsed checks — they require you to bring the physical check to a branch or ATM instead. This is because the bank wants to verify the endorsement in person and keep the original check on file.
If you are planning to deposit an endorsed check, ask your bank whether mobile deposit works for it. If not, plan to visit a branch or an ATM during business hours. Do not assume that because you can mobile deposit your own checks, you can mobile deposit an endorsed one.
Checks that cannot be endorsed
Some checks are marked "non-negotiable" or "for deposit only." These checks cannot be endorsed to someone else — they can only be deposited into the account of the person named on the check. If you receive a check with these words printed on it, the original payee must deposit it themselves.
Government checks, including tax refunds and benefit payments, often have restrictions on who can deposit them. If the check is made out to you by name, only you can deposit it. If it is made out to you and another person (such as a parent and a minor child), both names may be required. Check the rules for that specific type of check before asking someone to endorse it to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I endorse a check that someone already endorsed to me to a third person?
No. A check can only be endorsed once. Once someone endorses it to you, you cannot endorse it to someone else. You must deposit it into your own account or ask the original payee to handle it differently.
What if the person who needs to endorse the check lives far away?
They can sign the back of the check and mail it to you, or they can deposit it into their own account and send you the money through a bank transfer, payment app, or check. Mailing a signed check is generally safe, but a direct transfer is faster and leaves a clearer record.
Do I need to write anything on the check besides signatures?
The original payee should write "Pay to the order of [your name]" below their signature. You then sign below that. Some banks accept just signatures without the written instruction, but writing it out is clearer and reduces the chance of rejection.
What if my bank rejects the endorsed check?
Ask the teller why it was rejected. Common reasons are unclear endorsement, a missing signature, or the bank's policy against endorsed checks. Once you know the reason, you can either fix it (get a clearer signature, add the missing name) or use a different method to transfer the money.