You can deposit your brother's check into your own account, but the bank may require him to sign the back or may refuse it altogether
A check made out to someone else is technically their property. Your bank's policy on third-party checks—checks signed over to you by the original payee—varies widely. Some banks accept them with a signature and ID. Others refuse them entirely, citing fraud risk. A few accept them only if the original payee is present in person. The safest approach is to ask your brother to either deposit it himself, have the check reissued in your name, or contact your bank first to confirm what they will accept.
If your brother wants you to have the money, the cleanest route is usually to have him deposit it into his own account first, then transfer the funds to you electronically or give you cash. This avoids the signature and ID questions altogether and leaves no ambiguity about who owns the money.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks will not accept a check made out to your brother if you try to deposit it in your name, even with his signature on the back.
- If your bank does accept third-party checks, your brother will need to sign the back and you will likely need to show ID and sign below his signature.
- The fastest option is usually to ask your brother to deposit the check himself and then send you the money via transfer, Venmo, or cash.
- Some banks have stopped accepting third-party checks entirely due to fraud concerns, so calling ahead saves a wasted trip.
How third-party check deposits work at most banks
When a check is made out to your brother and he wants you to deposit it, he signs the back and writes "Pay to the order of [your name]" above his signature. You then sign below his name. At the teller window, you show your ID and the teller verifies that the signatures match the names on the check and your ID.
The bank is checking three things: that your brother actually authorized the transfer, that you are who you say you are, and that the check itself is legitimate. Even with all three confirmed, many banks still decline. They see third-party checks as higher fraud risk because they involve an extra person and an extra signature, both of which can be forged.
Why banks refuse third-party checks
Banks stopped accepting third-party checks as standard practice around 2009, after the financial crisis. The reason was simple: fraud. A third-party check can be altered, the signatures can be forged, or the original payee can claim later that they never authorized the transfer. If the check bounces or turns out to be fraudulent, the bank has to chase down two people instead of one.
Large banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo generally do not accept third-party checks at all. Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to accept them, but policies vary by branch and by the amount. A $50 check might be accepted where a $500 check would not.
What to do if your bank refuses the check
If the teller says no, you have a few options. First, ask if your brother can come to the bank with you and deposit it himself. Some banks will accept a third-party check if the original payee is present and shows ID. Second, ask your brother to deposit it into his own account and then send you the money. This takes one or two business days but avoids the third-party issue entirely.
Third, ask the check issuer (your brother's employer, a business, whoever wrote the check) to reissue it in your name instead. This is free and takes a few days. Fourth, if your brother has an account at the same bank, some banks will allow him to sign the check over to you if you both go to the branch together, though this is rare.
Checks made out to "your brother or you"
If the check says "Pay to the order of [Brother's Name] or [Your Name]," either of you can deposit it alone without the other's signature. The "or" means either person has the right to cash it. If it says "and" instead of "or," both of you must sign and both must be present to deposit it.
Read the check carefully. The word matters. An "or" check is straightforward. An "and" check requires coordination and a trip to the bank together.
Mobile deposit and third-party checks
Most banks' mobile deposit apps will not accept a photo of a third-party check. The app scans the check image and flags it as third-party based on the signature line. You can try, but the deposit will almost certainly be rejected. Mobile deposit is designed for checks made out to you, not checks you are signing over from someone else.
If you want to use mobile deposit, the check needs to be in your name only. This is another reason why having your brother deposit it himself and then transfer you the money is often the fastest path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I just sign my brother's name and then my name on the back?
Do not do this. Signing someone else's name is forgery, even if you have permission and even if the money is meant for you. The bank can refuse the deposit, and in rare cases, it could be treated as fraud. Always have your brother sign his own name.
Can my brother write "pay to the order of [my name]" on the check before he gets it?
No. The check is made out to him by the issuer. He cannot change who it is made out to. He can only sign it over to you after he receives it, and only if the bank accepts third-party checks.
Will the bank charge me a fee if I try to deposit a third-party check?
No, but the deposit will likely be rejected. There is no fee for a rejected deposit. If the bank accepts it, there is no extra charge—it processes like any other deposit.
What if the check is from a government agency or a court settlement?
Government checks and settlement checks are often non-negotiable, meaning they cannot be signed over to anyone else. The name on the check must match the person depositing it. Ask your brother to check the back of the check or call the issuer to confirm.
How long does it take if my brother deposits it and then sends me the money?
If your brother deposits the check at his bank, it typically clears in one to two business days. Then he can transfer the money to you via ACH (one to two more business days), Venmo or PayPal (instant to one business day), or give you cash immediately. Total time is usually one to three business days.