You can deposit someone else's check into your account, but the check must be made payable to you or have their written permission on the back
Banks will not process a check made out to another person unless that person has endorsed it to you. An endorsement is a signature on the back of the check, usually followed by "Pay to the order of" and your name. Without this, the check will be rejected at deposit.
If the check is made out to you and another person together—"John Smith and Jane Doe"—both of you typically need to sign the back. If it says "or" instead of "and", either one of you can deposit it alone. The exact rule depends on your bank's policy and your state's law, so ask your bank before you deposit.
Third-party checks (checks made to someone else that they sign over to you) are increasingly difficult to deposit. Many banks stopped accepting them after 2010, and those that do often charge a fee or require the original payee to be present at the bank with you. Some banks will not accept them at all, regardless of the endorsement.
Key Takeaways
- A check made out to someone else requires their signature on the back, usually written as "Pay to the order of [your name]" followed by their signature.
- Checks made to two people joined by "and" need both signatures; checks joined by "or" need only one.
- Many banks no longer accept third-party checks, and those that do may charge a fee or require the original payee to appear in person.
- Mobile deposit and ATM deposit are less likely to accept third-party checks than in-person deposit at a branch.
- If a check is made out to you, you can deposit it yourself without anyone else's involvement.
How endorsement works and what your bank will accept
When someone endorses a check to you, they write on the back of the check in the endorsement area (usually a blank line near the top of the back). The standard format is "Pay to the order of [your name]" followed by their signature. Some people straightforward sign their name and write your name above it; banks vary on whether they accept this simpler version.
The person endorsing the check is guaranteeing to the bank that they received it legitimately and are passing it to you. This is why banks want to see their actual signature, not just a printed name or initials. If the check later bounces or turns out to be fraudulent, the bank can hold the endorser responsible.
Before you ask someone to endorse a check to you, contact your bank and ask whether they accept third-party checks at all. Many do not. If they do, ask whether you can deposit it remotely (through a mobile app or ATM) or whether you must bring it to a branch in person. Some banks require the original payee to be present with you when you deposit.
When checks are made out to two people
If a check says "John Smith and Jane Doe", both people must sign the back before it can be deposited. The bank will reject it if only one person signs. This rule exists because both names on the check mean both people have a claim to the money.
If a check says "John Smith or Jane Doe", either person can deposit it alone. The word "or" means either person has the right to the full amount. If you are unsure whether the check says "and" or "or", look closely—the difference is small but the rule is strict.
If you and another person both need to sign but only one of you can get to the bank, some banks will let you sign a power of attorney form that authorizes the other person to deposit on your behalf. This is not standard practice, so ask your bank whether they offer it.
Why banks reject third-party checks and what to do instead
After 2010, fraud involving third-party checks increased, and most banks tightened their policies. A third-party check is riskier for the bank because if it bounces or is counterfeit, the bank has to trace the problem through two people instead of one. Many banks decided the cost of processing them was not worth the risk.
If your bank does not accept third-party checks, you have other options. The person who received the check can deposit it into their own account and then send you the money through a bank transfer, a wire transfer, or a payment app like Venmo or PayPal. This is slower than a single deposit but it avoids the endorsement problem entirely.
Another option is for the original payee to cash the check at the bank that issued it (the bank name is printed on the check) and give you the cash. Banks will cash checks for the person named on them even if that person does not have an account there, though they may charge a fee.
Mobile deposit and ATM deposit with third-party checks
If you are thinking of depositing a third-party check through your bank's mobile app or an ATM, call your bank first. Most banks do not accept third-party checks through these channels, even if they accept them at a branch. The reason is that mobile and ATM deposits are harder for the bank to verify, and they cannot easily confirm that the endorser is who they say they are.
If your bank does allow third-party mobile or ATM deposit, the endorsement rules are the same—the original payee must sign the back. But the bank may also require you to sign below their signature, and you may need to include a note with your account number.
If you try to deposit a third-party check through mobile or ATM and it is rejected, take it to a branch in person. A teller can tell you whether the bank will accept it and what steps you need to take.
Checks made out to you: no endorsement needed
If a check is made out to your name, you do not need anyone else's permission or signature to deposit it. You can deposit it through mobile, ATM, or a branch. You will need to sign the back of the check yourself, but that is your own endorsement, not someone else's.
If your name appears on the check but it is spelled differently than it appears on your bank account (for example, "Robert" on the check but "Bob" on your account), some banks may ask you to sign both versions on the back. Call your bank if you are unsure whether the spelling difference will cause a problem.
What happens if you deposit a check you are not supposed to
If you deposit a check that is not made out to you and it does not have a valid endorsement, the bank will reject it. The check will be returned to the person who deposited it, usually within one to three business days. No money will move to your account.
If you forge an endorsement or deposit a check in someone else's name without their permission, that is check fraud, which is a crime. Banks have fraud detection systems and they report suspicious deposits to law enforcement. Even if the check clears initially, the bank can reverse the deposit later and pursue criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check made out to my business if I own the business?
If the check is made out to your business name and you are a sole proprietor, you can usually deposit it into your personal account if you sign the back. If your business is an LLC, corporation, or partnership, you will need to deposit it into a business account in the business's name. Ask your bank what documents they need to verify your ownership.
What if someone signs the back of a check but does not write "Pay to the order of" and my name?
A signature alone on the back is a blank endorsement. Some banks accept it; others do not. A blank endorsement is also riskier because anyone who has the check can deposit it. Ask the person to write "Pay to the order of [your name]" and sign again to be safe.
Can I deposit a check made out to someone else if they give me permission verbally?
No. The bank needs to see their written signature on the back of the check. A verbal permission is not proof that the endorsement is real. The person must physically sign the check themselves.
Do I need to tell my bank I am depositing someone else's endorsed check?
You do not need to announce it, but if the bank asks, tell them the truth. Banks sometimes flag third-party deposits as part of their fraud checks. If you are honest about what the check is, the bank is more likely to process it.
What if the check is post-dated (dated in the future)?
Banks can legally deposit post-dated checks when ready, even though the date on the check is in the future. The endorsement rules are the same whether the check is post-dated or not. If you want to wait until the date on the check, ask the person who gave it to you to hold it until then.