William Lipovsky
Several major U.S. banks accept third-party checks and cash them for account holders. In some cases, these banks will also cash third-party checks 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.
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.
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.
Our article has step-by-step instructions for how to endorse a third-party check, as well as where to cash a third-party check.
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.
Comparison Table
See the table below for a quick comparison of the fees for cashing a third-party check at the banks and credit unions that cash them, then select any establishment or scroll for more information.
| Establishment | Bank or credit union? | Fees (non-account holders) |
|---|---|---|
| PNC Bank | Bank | $2 for checks over $25 |
| Citibank | Bank | Free for checks drawn on Citibank |
| HSBC | Bank | None for checks drawn on HSBC; varies otherwise |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | Credit union | None |
| U.S. Bank | Bank | Not available |
| TD Bank | Bank | $10 |
| Truist Bank | Bank | $7 for checks over $50 |
| Chase Bank | Bank | $8 for checks over $50 |
| Bank of America | Bank | $8 for checks over $50 |
| M&T Bank | Bank | 2% of the check amount ($3 minimum) |
| First National Bank | Bank | $5 |
| Connexus Credit Union | Credit union | Not available |
The List
Below is the list of banks and credit unions that accept third-party checks, ordered starting with the best overall options:
1. PNC Bank
- Requirements: Generally for third-party checks, both parties to whom the check is issued will need to be present and show a valid photo ID.[1]
- Fee:
- Find a PNC
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.[3]
- Fee:
- Find a Citibank
3. HSBC
- Requirements: Checks may be required to be endorsed by all payable parties; endorsements may also need to be verified and guaranteed.[6]
- Fee:
- Find an HSBC
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.[8]
- Fee:
- Find an NFCU
5. U.S. Bank
- Requirements: Must be a U.S. Bank account holder and present a valid ID in order to cash or deposit a third-party check. It must also be endorsed by both parties.[9][10]
- Fee:
- Account holder: Free[11]
- Non-account holder: N/A
- Find a U.S. Bank
6. TD Bank
- Requirements: Must present two forms of idea; one should be a government-issued photo ID. Checks must be drawn on TD Bank.[12][13]
- Fee:
- Find a TD Bank
7. Truist Bank
- Requirements: Truist may return check unpaid or place a hold on it until verification is complete.[14] Checks must be drawn off of a Truist account; checks are cashed at each bank’s discretion.[15]
- Fee:
- Find a SunTrust Bank
8. 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 charge.[17]
- Fee:
- Find a Chase Bank
9. Bank of America
- Requirements: Approval is at the discretion of the Financial Center manager at each Bank of America location.[18] All payable parties may be required to endorse the check. Verification of endorsements through an endorsement guarantee or personal identification may be required.[19] Deposits must be made in person, not through mobile check deposit.[20]
- 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.
10. 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.[22] All parties must be present with valid IDs.[23]
- Fee:
- Find an M&T Bank
11. First National Bank
- Requirements: Third-party checks must have all payable parties’ signatures and both parties must be present. Both must also present a valid, government-issued ID. The bank may refuse endorsements by people who are not bank customers or alternately require verification for each endorsement.[24]
- Fee:
- Find a First National Bank
12. Connexus Credit Union
- Requirements: Third party-check cashing is only available to members; a valid, government-issued photo ID is required.[25][26]
- Fee:
- Account holder: Free[26]
- Non-account holder: N/A
- Find a Connexus Credit Union
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.
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
