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You can usually just deposit checks endorsing the back of the check and then visiting a brick-and-mortar bank or using your bank’s website or mobile app. But what if you want to deposit a check for someone else?
To do this, you’ll need additional information, such as the account number the check is being deposited to. Some bank policies don’t allow you to deposit checks for someone else at all, and you could face overdraft fees if the check bounces. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team explain how you may be able to deposit a check for someone else, as well as possible alternatives.
Can You Deposit a Check for Someone Else?
In general, if your bank allows it, you can deposit a check for someone else. The process varies depending on your situation. Below are common scenarios where a third-party check deposit may be necessary.
| Scenario | Can You Deposit the Check? |
|---|---|
| A family member receives a check but can’t travel to the bank and doesn’t have an online banking account or the mobile app. They ask you to go to their bank to deposit the check into their account. | Yes. Because you’re depositing a payee’s check into their bank account, this should be a fairly simple process. |
| A check is made out to your business partner, but they want you to deposit it into your personal account for business expenses. | Maybe. You could face difficulty — or be denied — if you try to deposit a check that’s written out to a different recipient into your bank account. |
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You should contact your bank beforehand to ask if it allows third-party check deposits. We reached out to two popular banks, Discover and Chase, to learn their check deposit rules.
Depositing a check written out to someone else into their bank account:
- Chase allows you to deposit a check written out to someone else into their bank account as long as you have their account number. You can do this in any Chase bank branch.
- Because Discover doesn’t have physical branches, you can’t go in to deposit a check into someone else’s account.
Depositing a check written out to someone else in your bank account:
- Chase doesn’t allow you to deposit a check written out to someone else into your account.
- Discover only allows this if the original payee is added as a temporary joint owner of your bank account.
How To Deposit a Check for Someone Else
The steps for depositing a check over for someone else vary depending on whose account the check is going into.
If the check is going into the payee’s account:
- Have the payee write “For deposit only to: Their account number” on the back of the check in the endorsem*nt area.
- Have the payee sign under the section above.
The check is written out to the payee, but you’re depositing it into your account:
- Have the original payee write “Pay to the order of: Your Name” on the back, along with their signature.
- Remember, not all banks allow this type of deposit. Call your bank to confirm if it allows third-party checks.
To make the process seamless, fill out a deposit slip, which can be found at most credit union or bank branches. Deposit slips help banks keep track of the funds that are deposited and ensure all are accounted for.
Write your name, your bank account number and the deposit amount on the deposit slip. Once you complete the deposit slip, hand it and the endorsed check to the bank teller.
The number of days it may take for you to see the funds in your account depends on the amount of the deposit, the type of check and the bank’s policies. You could get the funds from a certified check or another account at your bank the next business day, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). But if a check amount is over $200, it could take up to two business days to receive the full deposit amount.
>> Related: Read more about how to deposit a check
Potential Risks and Restrictions
Depositing a check is usually a seamless, secure process at any financial institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). However, there are potential complications when it comes to depositing a check for someone else.
The main reason banks have restrictions on depositing third-party checks is fraud. Deposit and check fraud increased 5% between the first half of 2022 and the first half of 2023, according to NICE, a firm that provides customer-experience services.
Some banks may require the payee to be present to deposit a check written out to them into your bank account. Realistically, you should only deposit checks for payers you know and trust. If the check is fraudulent, it will bounce and you could face fees.
>> Related: Learn more about the FDIC and NCUA
Alternatives to Depositing a Check for Someone Else
While depositing a payee’s check into their bank account is fairly simple, you may want to consider easier alternatives if you’re trying to deposit someone else’s check into your bank account.
There are electronic solutions, such as having the payee complete a mobile check deposit through their banking app and then transfer the money to you via Zelle, Venmo or PayPal. Transferring funds through peer-to-peer payment apps is easy and quick. However, some apps charge fees for expedited transactions. For example, Venmo charges 1.75% of the transfer amount for instant transactions (with a minimum of 25 cents and a maximum of $25).
>> Related: How to Use Zelle
FAQ: Can I Deposit a Check for Someone Else?
No, there typically aren’t fees associated with depositing a check for someone else. The only time you could face fees is if the check bounces. A check could bounce if it’s fraudulent or wasn’t properly endorsed or if the bank doesn’t allow third-party deposits.
No, you can’t deposit a third-party check at an ATM. You’ll need to visit a financial institution to deposit it.
No, not all banks allow third-party deposits. Restrictions vary depending on the bank’s policies and whose account you’re trying to deposit into. For example, Chase doesn’t allow you to deposit a check written out to someone else in your account.
*Data accurate at time of publication
Sources:
NICE (2023), Delving Deeper: 2023 Fraud Insights Second Edition
PayPal, Cashing Third-Party Checks, Explained
PNC Financial Services, How To Endorse a Check
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, How Quickly Can I Get Money After I Deposit a Check Into My Checking Account? What Is a Deposit Hold?
Rates (2023, August 18), Venmo Transfer Fees: A Complete Overview
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].
