You can deposit someone else's check into your account, but the check must be endorsed to you or made payable to both of you
A check made out to another person can go into your account only if that person signs the back of it and writes your name, or if the check is already made out to both of you. This is called a third-party endorsement, and it works at most banks, though some have restrictions or charge a fee. If the check is made out only to the other person and they do not endorse it to you, your bank will reject it.
The person whose name is on the check must sign the back and typically write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. You then sign below that. Some banks will accept this; others will not, depending on their fraud policies. A few banks have stopped accepting third-party checks altogether because of the risk of fraud or disputes.
The safest option is to have the check writer deposit it into their own account and then send you the money through a transfer, ACH payment, or peer transfer app. This avoids the endorsement question entirely and leaves a clear record of who sent what.
Key Takeaways
- A check made out to someone else can be deposited into your account only if that person endorses it to you by signing the back and writing your name.
- Many banks accept third-party endorsed checks, but some refuse them or charge a fee, so call your bank first to confirm their policy.
- If the check is made out to both you and the other person, either of you can deposit it without endorsement, though both signatures may be required to withdraw the funds.
- The check writer can avoid the endorsement process entirely by depositing the check themselves and sending you money through a bank transfer, ACH, or payment app instead.
- Depositing a check that is not made out to you and is not endorsed to you is considered fraud and will be rejected by the bank.
How third-party endorsement works
The person whose name appears on the check (the payee) must write on the back: "Pay to the order of [your name]" and sign below it. You then sign your name below theirs. This creates a chain showing the check was intentionally transferred to you. When you deposit it, your bank sees two signatures and knows the original payee approved the transfer.
The endorsement must be on the back of the check in the designated signature area, usually a white box or line. If the person signs but does not write your name, or writes your name but does not sign, the endorsement is incomplete and the bank will reject it.
Some banks require you to write your account number on the back as well, so keep that in mind when you hand the check to the other person. Ask your bank what they need before the endorsement happens, because you cannot add it later without the original payee's signature.
Which banks accept third-party checks and which do not
Most large national banks—including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank—accept third-party endorsed checks, though policies vary by branch and account type. Credit unions often accept them as well. However, some banks have stopped accepting them entirely due to fraud concerns, and a few accept them only under certain conditions, such as when the third party is a spouse or family member.
Online banks and smaller regional banks are more likely to refuse third-party checks. If you use an online-only bank, call customer service before attempting to deposit an endorsed check—they may not have the infrastructure to verify the endorsement or may have a blanket policy against them.
Even if your bank accepts third-party checks, they may charge a fee or place a hold on the deposit while they verify the endorsement. Some banks will hold the funds for up to 10 business days. Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch to ask about their specific policy before you attempt the deposit.
What happens if the check is made out to both of you
If the check reads "Pay to the order of [Your Name] and [Other Person's Name]," either of you can deposit it into your own account without the other person's signature. The check does not need to be endorsed because it is already payable to both parties.
However, some banks require both people to sign the back of the check before depositing it, even though the check is made out to both names. This is a bank-specific rule, so ask before you deposit. If your bank requires both signatures and only one person deposits it, the bank may reject it or place a hold while they contact the other person.
If you deposit a check made out to both of you into your account, the funds go into your account only. The other person does not automatically have access to the money. If you later need to withdraw or transfer those funds and the other person's name is on the check, some banks may require both signatures to release the money—again, this depends on the bank's policy.
Risks and fraud concerns
Banks are cautious about third-party checks because they create opportunities for fraud. If someone endorses a check to you without authorization, or if you deposit a check that was not actually endorsed to you, the bank can reverse the deposit and hold you responsible for the amount. The original check writer can also dispute the check if they did not authorize the endorsement.
If the check bounces or is fraudulent, your bank will debit your account for the full amount, even if you have already spent the money. You could end up with a negative balance and overdraft fees. The person who wrote the check may also pursue legal action if the check was forged or stolen.
For this reason, only deposit checks that you have personally watched the payee endorse, or that you have received directly from the check writer. Do not deposit a check that someone handed to you without explanation, or one that was endorsed to you by someone other than the original payee.
Alternatives to third-party checks
The simplest way to move money from one person to another is to skip the check entirely. The check writer can deposit the check into their own account and then send you the money through a bank transfer, ACH payment, or peer transfer app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App. This takes one to three business days and leaves a clear digital record of who sent what and when.
If the check writer does not have a bank account, they can cash the check at a check-cashing service or at the bank that issued it (usually for free if they have an ID). They can then give you cash or send you money through a payment app.
If the check is a paycheck and the employer allows it, the check writer can ask their employer to split the direct deposit between two accounts, or to deposit the full amount into your account instead. This avoids the check altogether and is the fastest option if it is available.
What to do if your bank refuses the check
If your bank will not accept the third-party endorsed check, ask the teller or customer service representative why. Some banks will accept checks endorsed to you but not checks endorsed to you by a third party, or they may have a dollar limit on third-party checks.
If the refusal is because of the bank's policy, you have a few options: ask the original payee to deposit the check into their own account and send you the money instead; visit a different bank branch to see if they have a different policy; or ask the check writer to contact their bank and request that the check be reissued in your name only.
If the check is time-sensitive (such as a tax refund or insurance payment), contact the issuer and ask for a replacement check made out to you, or ask if they can send the money by ACH or check to a different address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else if they do not sign it?
No. If the check is made out only to the other person and they do not endorse it to you, your bank will reject it. The person whose name is on the check must sign the back and write your name for the deposit to go through. Depositing an unsigned check or one not endorsed to you is considered fraud.
What if the person who endorsed the check to me disputes it later?
If the original payee claims they did not authorize the endorsement, the bank can reverse the deposit and debit your account. You could end up responsible for the full amount, plus overdraft fees if your account goes negative. This is why it is important to only accept checks from people you trust and to watch them endorse it if possible.
Do I need to tell my bank I am depositing someone else's check?
You do not need to announce it, but if the teller asks, be honest about it. Some banks ask routine questions about deposits to verify they are not fraudulent. If you lie and the bank later discovers the check was not properly endorsed or was fraudulent, they can close your account and report you to ChexSystems, which affects your ability to open accounts at other banks.
Can I deposit a check made out to my business into my personal account?
No. A check made out to your business name must be deposited into a business account, even if you own the business. Depositing a business check into a personal account is considered commingling funds and can create tax and legal problems. If you need the money in your personal account, deposit it into the business account first and then transfer it to your personal account.
What if the check is made out to a nickname or shortened version of my name?
If the check is made out to a name that is close to yours but not exactly your legal name (such as "Bob" instead of "Robert"), most banks will still accept it as long as you sign the back with the name on the check. However, some banks may reject it or ask for additional identification to confirm the name matches your account. Call your bank first if you are unsure.