Is is ok to cash my husband's paycheck without his signature on the back?

Question

I have always had him sign it. Would it be ok if I just signed it? We have a joint checking account.

I am depositing it, moron! I have enough nice shoes!

Answer 1

Banks hardly even look at signatures any more. I endorse my husband's checks all the time and it's never been an issue. But I don't "cash" them. I just deposit them.

If you're a joint holder on the account, you can legally endorse the check for deposit purposes only, but you won't immediate cash for it unless you already have cash in the account.

To get the cash immediately, then yes, HE would need to sign it, show ID, and go to the bank that is shown on the face of the check.

But you can endorse it for deposit purposes. Then it will still have to clear (a couple of days wait) before you can withdraw that cash.

You can withdraw other cash in your account though, since it's a joint account.

Banks don't really rely on signatures as much any more for deposits because many people use signature stamps or scribble their signatures. Since it's a deposit and they hold it for clearance purposes anyway, and as long as it's going into the account for the person it is made out to, they couldn't care less if you signed it Daffy Duck.

I've even accidentally deposited checks made out to my husband without a signature altogether. And the bank teller just told me to sign it, since I'm a joint account holder. So it's not illegal... FOR DEPOSIT purposes.

CASHING it for immediate cash is a different matter though.

Answer 2

This question reminds me of all the times I signed his check before direct deposit.
I always bought his cigarettes and used a personal check. One day I either refused to fetch or something happened and he had to get his cigarettes from the local store. They would not cash the check. I felt so bad because he earned the money! They even called me so the check could clear. He thought it was slightly funny...Then

I was at a neighboring town small branch of our bank and made out the deposit slip and signed his name and mine on the back. The one teller started to give me trouble and I just fired it right back politely. The other teller was howling with laughter as the discussion went on...I explained to her that it goes in the same account and to please please deposit it! It got deposited.
With atms and direct deposit you make the decision...

Answer 3

Technically, no.
You can probably get by with it, though (we've done it before).
One way out is to just put "For Deposit Only" on the signature line. They will usually (or our bank always lets us do this) deposit it. If it's his paycheck, going into HIS account, then it's OK. I don't know if that's accepted bank protocol, but our bank does this.
Another thing you can do is just fill out the deposit slip, forge his signature, and deposit it. I've forged my wife's signature to do paperwork for her lots of times. I can forge hers easily but she can't forge mine. If you arrive with the check already signed the teller will never know and it will never be questioned. If there's not foul play and it's just going into your checking then no one will complain or check. I'm sure it's a crime, but no one's even going to check it out. They might question it if they suspect foul play, but if it's his check going into his account they'll never check that out.
We've never done this before, but I had a friend where she would sign HER name on HIS check and deposit it in THEIR joint account and they always let her do this. Why, I don't know, that just seems messed up, but they did it every week for years.

Answer 4

if you are depositing it then just write "for deposit only" on the back of it. if your at a bank and you have a joint bank account then just sign your name, its not like hes going to press charges or anything. but if you want to cash it at a check cashing place then you need his signature

Answer 5

If you have the joint account, and want to deposit the check, then it's perfectly legal to endorse the check with your name.
It is not legal, however, to endorse the check with your name to cash it. Your name isn't on the paycheck, I'm sure.
If you choose to forge your husband's name, you certainly shouldn't do it in front of the teller. If it's an emergency, and your husband agrees to you signing for him, then that's spousal privelage, I suppose.

Answer 6

Unless he has signed a power of attorney, it is illegal for anyone other than the payee to endorse the check.

Responding to your 'Additional Information: Your question asked about CASHING the check. Calling someone a 'Moron' for not reading your mind about DEPOSITING the check is uncalled for.

Answer 7

No he still needs to endorse it over to you regardless that u both have a joint checking account ..hope it helps

Answer 8

If it is for a deposit, you can just write "For Deposit Only Acct#XXXXXXXXXXXXX" and that is fine.

However if it is for cash that can be a problem. The bank may not catch it, but it is forgery. no problem if you and your husband are on good terms. But if he has a problem with it, or you start to have relationship problems, you are setting yourself up for situsations you don't want.

Answer 9

I agree that bunnyhol83 is being a bunghole. First she says she wants to cash the check, then she says she wants to deposit it. Then she insults people when they are confused by her poor terminology.

Answer 10

its 100%illegel to cash a check with out proper signature...