# How does one endorse a check over to a third party? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 20, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807 "2004-12-20T15:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807/1 "2004-12-20T15:58:36Z")
Pretty self-explanatory. Our recently-ex landlord just gave me a check for our deposit refund, but I need to get the money in to my wife’s account pronto. Is there a way for her to deposit the funds directly in to her account, without me having to deposit it and write her a personal check? Her credit union is now holding personal checks for up to ten days. I’ve heard of “endorsing a check over” to someone, but I’ve never had reason to do it before, and thus have no idea how it’s done. Do I just sign it and hand it over to her? Do I write something special on it? Or what? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807/2 "2004-12-20T16:00:56Z")
Why don’t you take your license, go to the bank where the check was written from, cash it, and deposit it into your wifes account? ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807/3 "2004-12-20T16:09:20Z")
> [@black455](#): > > I’ve heard of “endorsing a check over” to someone, but I’ve never had reason to do it before, and thus have no idea how it’s done. Do I just sign it and hand it over to her? Yes. Gee, I wish all of the questions were this easy! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807/4 "2004-12-20T16:16:51Z")
I presume the check is either made out to both of you, or to you and it’s important that she be the one to process it. There are two ways to handle endorsements of this sort: **Non-restrictive endorsement** – Simply sign it in the appropriate place on the reverse, leaving room for her signature as well. This means that anyone can negotiate it, so after doing so, you need to keep tight control on its whereabouts. **Restrictive endorsement** – On the reverse, write, “Pay to the order of [insert wife’s name as it appears on her checking account]” and your signature. This transfers it over to her, and she can then deal with it as if directly written to her. Note that most banks: (1) will not cash third-party checks, which is what it becomes when endorsed over to your wife – though they will accept it for deposit and collection; (2) will generally make available to you some portion of the value of the check pending collection – usually $100, though I’ve seen that vary – presuming that you have been banking there for a few months. Ask your banker about this. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807/5 "2004-12-20T20:22:10Z")
> [@black455](#): > > I’ve heard of “endorsing a check over” to someone, but I’ve never had reason to do it before, and thus have no idea how it’s done. Do I just sign it and hand it over to her? Do I write something special on it? Or what? > Thanks. Endorse on the back in the normal place: **FOR DEPOSIT ONLY To the account of xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Account # nnnnn nnnnnnn** ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-endorse-a-check-over-to-a-third-party/280807/6 "2004-12-20T20:23:25Z")
> [@black455](#): > > I’ve heard of “endorsing a check over” to someone, but I’ve never had reason to do it before, and thus have no idea how it’s done. Do I just sign it and hand it over to her? Do I write something special on it? Or what? > Thanks. Endorse on the back in the normal place: **FOR DEPOSIT ONLY To the account of xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Account # nnnnn nnnnnnn Sign your name!**