Sonya BatemanSeveral major U.S. banks accept third-party checks and cash them for account holders. In some cases, these banks will also cash a third-party check for non-customers as long as they were the bank that issued the check. Non-account holders may face additional fees, and regulations can vary. You’ll need to show a valid photo ID, and you may need the other signing party present along with you. Below, we detail what you need to know about third-party checks, including the policies at the banks and credit unions that accept them.
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What Is a Third-Party Check?
Most checks are two-party checks — one person or business makes out the check to another person, and that second person cashes or deposits the check. A third-party check involves designating payment to an additional payee (the third party). In order to do this, the original payee must sign the check over to the third person.
A common instance of using a third-party check is for an insurance claim. For example, if you receive an auto insurance check for your car to cover accident repairs, the insurance company will often send a check made out directly to you. You may choose to cash the check directly and use the funds to pay the repair shop — or, you may instead opt to sign the check over to the repair shop that fixed your car, making it a third-party check.
Personal checks, payroll checks, and other types of checks can also become third-party checks if the original payee signs the check over to you. If you have a two-party check, our article provides the list of 20+ places that cash two-party checks.
Requirements For Cashing a Third-Party Check
Third-party checks carry an increased risk of fraud and theft. Because of this, banks and credit unions impose strict requirements for accepting third-party checks, and some will not accept them at all.
Endorsement
Third-party checks must be properly endorsed on the back with signatures from both parties. In most cases, this should be done in front of a bank teller or associate — avoid depositing the check through an ATM or mobile banking app, where it’s likely to be rejected. For step by step instructions on how to endorse a third-party check, as well as a list of other places that accept third-party checks, see our article.
Identification
To cash or deposit a third-party check, you’ll need to show a current, government-issued photo ID. The verification requirements for the check’s payees vary from one bank to the next. For example, some banks may call the check’s original payee to verify identity, while others may waive the second party verification for established account holders. A number of banks require both parties to be present and provide in-person verification. Because of these policy variations, it’s always a good idea to call your bank’s branch and ask what verification is needed to cash a third-party check.
Overall, your best chance of cashing a third-party check is to bring it to either the bank or credit union that originally issued the check or to the bank or credit union where you hold an account.
Banks and Credit Unions That Accept Third-Party Checks
Below is the list of banks and credit unions that accept third-party checks, ordered starting with the best overall options:
1. Bank of America
- Requirements: Both parties must be present with valid photo IDs. Bank of America handles third-party checks on a case-by-case basis at each branch’s Financial Center. It’s up to the discretion of the Financial Center manager whether or not to accept the third-party check.[1]
- Fee:
- Find a Bank of America
For additional information, see our article for a detailed explanation of Bank of America’s third-party check policy.
2. Citibank
- Requirements: Non-customers can only cash checks drawn on Citibank. For Citibank customers, third-party checks can only be cashed up to the available checking account balance (the rest may be deposited). The original payee’s endorsement may require verification.[2]
- Fee:
- Find a Citibank
3. Chase Bank
- Requirements: Non-customers can only cash third-party checks drawn on Chase. Endorsements for both payees must be correctly placed. If the check is not properly endorsed, you may incur a cost, loss, or expense.[3]
- Fee:
- Find a Chase Bank
4. Navy Federal Credit Union
- Requirements: Members must sign third-party checks in the presence of a teller for cash or deposit. Non-members may cash third-party checks drawn on NFCU if both parties are present for in-person verification.[4]
- Fee:
- Find an NFCU
5. HSBC
- Requirements: Non-account holders may only cash personal and business checks drawn on HSBC. Endorsements must be signed exactly as appeared on the check. HSBC may charge your account for items returned due to any reason, including forgery or endorsement irregularity.[5]
- Fee:
- Find an HSBC
6. SunTrust Bank (now Truist)
- Requirements: Endorsements may require verification. Both payees must be present with proper identification.[6]
- Fee:
- Find a SunTrust Bank
7. BB&T (now Truist)
- Requirements: Non-customers may only cash third-party checks drawn on BB&T.[7]
- Fee:
- Find a BB&T
8. TD Bank
- Requirements: Vary by individual situation. TD Bank recommends that you call your local branch ahead of time to discuss what you’ll need to cash a third-party check.[8]
- Fee:
- Find a TD Bank
9. M&T Bank
- Requirements: Non-customers may only cash third-party checks drawn on M&T. Must verify the identity of the original payee and the third party cashing the check in person.[9]
- Fee:
- Find an M&T Bank
10. First National Bank
- Requirements: The bank may refuse endorsements by people who are not bank customers or alternately require verification for each endorsement.[10]
- Fee:
- Find a First National Bank
11. PNC
- Requirements: Non-customers can show a valid photo ID to process a third-party check drawn on a PNC account. PNC also accepts third-party check deposits from account holders as long as the check features the signature of both the account holder and the person to whom the check was originally addressed.[11]
- Fee:
- Find a PNC
12. U.S. Bank
- Requirements: Must be a U.S. Bank account holder and present valid ID in order to cash or deposit a third-party check.[12]
- Fee:
- Find a U.S. Bank
13. Connexus Credit Union
- Requirements: Third-party (final) endorsers may be required to verify or guarantee endorsements in the presence of bank personnel. If you’re cashing a third-party check at Connexus, the teller must witness your signature. Check cashing services are available for Connexus account holders only.[13]
- Fee:
- Find a Connexus Credit Union
Banks and Credit Unions That Don’t Accept Third-Party Checks
The following banks and credit unions don’t cash third-party checks, as confirmed by customer service representatives:
- Alliant Credit Union
- Ally Bank
- Bank of the West
- Charles Schwab Bank
- Citizens Bank
- Discover Bank
- KeyBank
- PenFed Credit Union
- Regions Bank
- Wells Fargo
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