You can deposit someone else's check in your account, but only if they sign the back first
A check made out to another person is not yours to deposit. The bank will reject it, or if it does go through, the account holder can dispute it later and the money will be pulled back. The legal way to handle this is endorsement: the person whose name is on the check signs the back, then you sign below their signature. This is called a third-party check, and it tells the bank that the original payee has authorized you to deposit it on their behalf.
Many banks now refuse third-party checks entirely, treating them as a fraud risk. Before you ask someone to sign the back of a check, call your bank and ask whether they accept them. If they do not, you have other options—but endorsement is the only legal way to use the check as written.
Key Takeaways
- The person whose name appears on the check must sign the back before you can deposit it; your signature alone will not make it valid.
- Many banks no longer accept third-party checks because the risk of fraud is high and disputes are difficult to resolve.
- If your bank refuses the check, the person who received it can deposit it into their own account and transfer the money to you electronically instead.
- Depositing a check without the payee's endorsement, or forging their signature, is check fraud and can result in criminal charges.
How third-party check endorsement works
The person whose name is printed on the check (the payee) turns the check over and signs their name on the back. Below that signature, you write your name and sign. Some banks also require the payee to write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. When you deposit it, you are presenting proof that the payee authorized the transfer.
The bank will verify both signatures against the account records of the person who wrote the check. If the signatures do not match what the bank has on file, the deposit will be rejected. If the check clears but later the original payee or the check writer disputes it, the bank can reverse the transaction and the money comes out of your account.
Why banks are rejecting third-party checks
Third-party checks create a chain of liability that banks find expensive to manage. If a check is forged, disputed, or stolen, the bank has to trace it through two accounts instead of one. The payee might claim they never signed it, or they might sign it and later say they were coerced. The check writer might claim the check was altered. Each dispute requires investigation and can tie up money for weeks.
Because of this risk, major banks including Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo have stopped accepting third-party checks altogether. Smaller banks and credit unions vary in their policies. Some accept them only from existing customers, or only up to a certain dollar amount, or only if both parties are present at the branch. Call your bank before you attempt to deposit one.
What to do if your bank will not accept the check
The simplest solution is for the payee to deposit the check into their own account and then send you the money electronically. This takes one to two business days and leaves a clear record of the transfer. They can use their bank's online transfer system, a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal, or an ACH transfer if they have your routing and account number.
If the payee is not available or unwilling to do this, they can also cash the check at their bank and give you the cash, or they can ask the check writer to issue a new check made out to you instead. The check writer may charge a fee to reissue, or they may do it at no cost—that depends on the relationship and the reason for the original check.
Mobile deposit and remote check capture
Some banks allow you to photograph a check and deposit it through their mobile app without going to a branch. However, this does not change the endorsement requirement. The check must still be signed by the payee on the back, and you must still sign below. The bank's system will ask you to photograph both sides of the check, including the endorsed back.
Mobile deposit does not bypass the bank's third-party check policy. If your bank does not accept third-party checks at the branch, they will not accept them through the app either. The photo just makes the process faster—it does not make an unauthorized check valid.
What happens if you deposit a check without proper endorsement
If you deposit a check without the payee's signature on the back, the bank will likely reject it at the point of deposit. The teller or the automated system will flag it as unsigned and return it to you. You can then ask the payee to sign it and try again.
If the check does go through without a proper signature—which can happen with mobile deposit or at a bank with weak verification—the check writer or the payee can dispute it later. The bank will reverse the deposit and the money will be removed from your account, even if you have already spent it. You will then owe your bank the amount of the check, and your account may go negative.
Forging the payee's signature or depositing a check you know you are not authorized to deposit is check fraud, a criminal offense. Depending on the amount and your state, it can result in fines, restitution, and jail time. Do not attempt this.
Checks made out to multiple people
If a check says "Pay to the order of [Name A] and [Name B]", both people must sign the back before either one can deposit it. If it says "or" instead of "and", either person can deposit it alone. The wording matters, and you should read the check carefully before asking anyone to sign.
If you are one of the two payees and the other person is unavailable or unwilling to sign, you cannot deposit the check without them. Your options are to wait for them to sign, ask the check writer to issue two separate checks, or ask the check writer to reissue a check made out to you alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit my spouse's check in my account?
Only if your spouse signs the back first. Even though you are married and may share finances, the check is legally theirs until they endorse it to you. Many banks will accept a spouse's endorsement more readily than a stranger's, but the signature is still required. Some banks allow spouses to be added as authorized signers on each other's accounts, which makes depositing checks easier—ask your bank about this option.
What if the person who received the check is deceased?
You cannot deposit a check made out to a deceased person, even if you are their heir or executor. The check belongs to their estate. Contact the bank that issued the check and explain the situation. They will tell you whether the check can be reissued to the estate or to you as the authorized representative. This usually requires a death certificate and proof of your authority.
Can I deposit a check made out to my business if I'm the owner?
If the check is made out to your business name and you have a business account, deposit it into that account. If the check is made out to your business but you only have a personal account, you will need to either open a business account or have the check reissued in your personal name. Depositing a business check into a personal account can create tax and accounting problems.
What if I lost the check and need to deposit it later?
A lost check cannot be deposited. Ask the person who received it to contact the check writer and request a replacement. The check writer will usually issue a new check, though they may ask for proof that the original was lost. Some check writers charge a fee for replacements. Do not attempt to deposit a check you find or receive from someone other than the original payee.
Does the payee's bank have to accept the check if they sign it?
No. Even with a proper endorsement, your bank can still refuse to accept a third-party check based on their own policy. The endorsement makes it legal, but it does not force the bank to process it. That is why calling your bank first is important—you need to know their specific rules before asking someone to sign.