Yes, you can deposit someone else's check into your account, but the check must be endorsed to you
A check written to another person can go into your account if that person signs the back and writes your name. This is called a third-party endorsement. The person whose name is on the front of the check writes "Pay to the order of [your name]" on the back, signs it, and then you sign below that. Your bank will then accept it for deposit.
Not all banks treat third-party checks the same way. Some accept them routinely. Others require the original payee to be present when you deposit, or they refuse them altogether. Call your bank before you try to deposit—a rejected check wastes time and may trigger a fee.
If the check is made out to two people (for example, "John Smith and Jane Doe"), both must endorse it. If it says "or" instead of "and", either one can endorse it alone.
Key Takeaways
- The person whose name appears on the check must sign the back and write your name for you to deposit it into your account.
- Banks have different policies on third-party checks—some accept them, some require the payee to be present, and some refuse them entirely.
- Contact your bank before attempting deposit to confirm whether they accept third-party endorsements and what steps you need to follow.
- If a check is made out to two people joined by "and", both must sign; if joined by "or", either one can sign alone.
- A rejected third-party check may result in a fee and will delay access to the funds.
What happens when you deposit a third-party check
When you hand a third-party check to a teller or deposit it through an ATM or mobile app, the bank verifies the endorsement chain. The teller will look at the front of the check to see whose name it was written to, then check the back to confirm that person signed it and wrote your name. Your signature must come after theirs.
If everything matches, the deposit processes like any other check. The funds are typically held for one to five business days while the check clears from the issuing bank. During that time, the money is not yet yours—if the check bounces, the deposit reverses and you may owe your bank a fee.
If the endorsement is missing, incomplete, or the signatures do not match the names on the check, the bank will reject it. You will need to return it to the original payee and ask them to correct it.
Banks that refuse third-party checks
Many large banks—including Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo—have stopped accepting third-party checks altogether. Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to accept them, but policies vary by location and account type.
The reason banks restrict third-party checks is fraud prevention. A third-party check creates a longer chain of custody, making it harder to trace if something goes wrong. If the original check is forged or the account it was drawn from has insufficient funds, the bank that accepted the third-party deposit may be liable.
Before you ask someone to endorse a check to you, contact your bank directly and ask whether they accept third-party checks. If they do not, you have other options.
Alternatives when your bank will not accept the check
If your bank refuses third-party checks, the original payee can deposit the check into their own account and then transfer the money to you via ACH transfer, wire transfer, or peer payment app. This takes one to three business days but avoids the endorsement issue entirely.
Another option is to ask the person who wrote the check to issue a new check in your name instead. This is the simplest solution if the original payee has not yet deposited the check.
Some check-cashing services and payday lenders will cash third-party checks, though they charge a fee (typically 1 to 5 percent of the check amount). This is useful only if you need the cash immediately and cannot wait for a bank transfer.
How to endorse a check correctly
If you are the original payee and someone is asking you to endorse a check to them, write on the back of the check in the endorsement area (usually a blank strip near the top of the back). Write "Pay to the order of [their full name]", then sign your name directly below. Make sure your signature is legible and matches the signature on file at your bank.
Do not write anything else on the back of the check—no account numbers, no extra notes. Banks scan checks electronically, and extra writing can cause the check to be rejected or delayed.
Once you have endorsed it, hand it directly to the person who will deposit it. Do not mail it or leave it unattended, because an endorsed check is as good as cash to anyone who holds it.
What to do if a third-party check is rejected
If your bank rejects the check, you will receive a notice (usually within one to three business days). The notice will state the reason—most commonly "third-party check not accepted" or "endorsement missing or irregular".
Return the check to the person who endorsed it and ask them to either correct the endorsement or deposit it into their own account and send you the money another way. If the check has already been rejected once, your bank is unlikely to accept it on a second attempt.
Some banks charge a fee for rejected deposits. Check your account statement or call your bank to confirm whether a fee was applied. If you believe the fee was unfair, you can dispute it with your bank's customer service department.
Mobile deposit and third-party checks
Most banks that accept third-party checks through tellers also accept them through mobile deposit (photographing the check with your phone). However, some banks are stricter with mobile deposits and may reject third-party checks even if a teller would accept them.
If you are using mobile deposit, photograph both the front and back of the check clearly so the endorsement is legible. If the image is blurry or the endorsement is hard to read, the bank may reject it. You can always take the check to a branch in person if mobile deposit fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check with someone else's name if they do not sign it?
No. Without an endorsement from the person whose name is on the check, your bank will reject it. The endorsement proves that person authorized you to deposit it. If they refuse to sign it, you cannot deposit it into your account.
What if the check is made out to a business and I work there?
Checks made out to a business must be deposited into the business account, not your personal account. Only the business owner or an authorized signatory can deposit business checks. If you need personal reimbursement, that is a separate transaction between you and the business.
Can I deposit a check if the person who endorsed it is not present?
Yes, in most cases. Once someone has endorsed a check to you, you can deposit it without them being there. However, some banks require the original payee to be present at the time of deposit. Call your bank to confirm their policy before you attempt deposit.
What if the signature on the back does not match the name on the front?
The bank will reject it. The person whose name appears on the front of the check must be the one who signs the back. If the signatures do not match, it raises a fraud concern and the bank will not process it.
Can I deposit a check that is more than six months old?
Technically, checks do not have an expiration date, but banks often refuse to accept checks older than six months. The check is considered "stale-dated" after that point. Ask the person who wrote the check to issue a new one if the original is more than six months old.