How to cash check that's in my maiden name?

[sarcasticgirl]

Take it to your bank with a copy of your marriage license, just to be on the safe side. 
I've never had an issue but my last name is hyphenated. 

[jeep108]

I would call your bank and see what they want you to do.

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 24, 2013 14:59:58 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

I recently changed home insurance companies. We've had the same insurance the entire time we've been at this house. They mailed me a refund check (my escrow had already paid them for the year), but the check has my name only and it's my maiden name. It's weird because I wasn't originally on the mortgage. Dh bought the house.  Anyway, I signed the back of the check (using my maiden name) and then dh signed underneath that. Dh tried to deposit the check today, but the bank wouldn't let him because they didn't have my name on file. What's the fastest/easiest way to get the check deposited?

Go back to the bank with your marriage license; it will have your maiden and married name on it. That lets the bank know you really are that same person with two different last names.

I had something like this happen, too. I got a check in my maiden name, about 10 years after I got married. My mother wrote the check. Oh, duh. I mean, it's not like she didn't know I was married (she walked me down the aisle).

[ontrack]

Deposit it in the ATM.  I'm serious.  We had a similar problem when we just got married--the cashier wouldn't deposit it.  I put the check in the ATM and didn't have a problem.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

My bank had me sign with my maiden name and underneath that my new name currently on file.

[bean29]

I have a hyphenated last name.  My bank will pretty much accept any last name Maiden, DH's or my Official hypenated name.

My Mom occassionally uses my maiden name so does one of my Older CC's. 

I was also thinking to go back to the ins. co and make them write it out to your correct last name.

[Peace Of Mind]

I would sign it:

Wrongside Smith(old name) Jones(new name)

It's worked for me doing that in the past.  But you might as well bring your marriage docs when you go back just in case.   

I also add:  For Deposit only Acct. #123456789. 

Now don't be trying to steal money from me now that you all have my real account #! 

[milee]

Ontrack is right with the ATM suggestion.  The ATM will read the digits but not the payee. 

[kindthatjingles]

I just had this.

Sign old name
Then new name underneath it

[busymom]

Weird.  My bank would take it as long as it's a straight deposit.

[TheOtherMe]

I wrote a check to my niece in her maiden name. She had no trouble cashing it.  She still teases me about it.  This was maybe 2 years ago.

[Deleted]

Sept 24, 2013 14:59:58 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

I recently changed home insurance companies. We've had the same insurance the entire time we've been at this house. They mailed me a refund check (my escrow had already paid them for the year), but the check has my name only and it's my maiden name. It's weird because I wasn't originally on the mortgage. Dh bought the house.  Anyway, I signed the back of the check (using my maiden name) and then dh signed underneath that. Dh tried to deposit the check today, but the bank wouldn't let him because they didn't have my name on file. What's the fastest/easiest way to get the check deposited?

Banks are not taking 3rd party checks any longer, which is what this is if it is made out only to you & then DH signed it too.

Do you have a bank account in your name that was originally in your maiden name & then converted to new name?  You can deposit in that bank account & usually no trouble because they have both records.

If your marriage record does not show the maiden name and current name, then it is not going to help you much.

I would call the escrow place and tell them you expect a replacement check within 5 business days and see if they can do it.  It might be the only answer if you don't have documentation showing that both names are the same person.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Go back to the bank with your marriage license; it will have your maiden and married name on it. That lets the bank know you really are that same person with two different last names.

That's what I was going to suggest - a Marriage License will be proof of your identity (maiden name/married name) - also take your driver's license, and if your SSN is still in your maiden name, take that too.

Then you can re-endorse the check (cheque) with your married name.

Deal with the Manager of the bank - not a teller.

[Deleted]

I got married back in 2009, and I am still having trouble getting all the name changes done.  One will pop up in the least expected places.

I sign original name and then married name.  Then your DH should have signed.  Then you should have put "For deposit only."

I got a medallion signature (a higher guarantee than a notary) from Regions based on the fact that the ID hanging on my neck matched my former name and my driver's license matched my new name.

This has to be a small bank or a credit union.  Regions told me no one actually looks at signatures when I said I wanted to put two signatures on the signature card.  They only look if I complain that it is a forgery, etc.  They didn't even want to see my marriage certificate.

The credit union wanted to see the marriage certificate and put it on file.  I had to put both names on the signature card (I was scared I would forget at first and sign the wrong name.)  I think I had to promise them my first grandchild, but they rejected him after they met him. 

[milee]

Yes, you definitely could dig through all your old documents to find some sort of certification, drive to the bank, stand in line then find the right person to plead your case...

or - you could just take a whole 30 seconds and deposit it in the ATM, which doesn't verify the payee. 

Seriously, people, I feel like we're in that Austin Powers movie where the son of the bad guy says something like, "Dad, why do you keep putting him in all these elaborate, easy to escape, time consuming ways to kill him?  Let's just shoot him!  Shoot him now.  Pow!  Done."

[Labcat]

Sept 25, 2013 7:40:44 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Sept 25, 2013 7:25:30 GMT -5 milee said:

or - you could just take a whole 30 seconds and deposit it in the ATM, which doesn't verify the payee. 

It's a credit union and not a bank. Do you still think this would work even though I've already signed the check and then dh signed underneath that? You're sure a person doesn't look at the checks after they go into the atm? I'm not even positive the credit union atm accepts checks, but I've never looked for that function.

I worked at a bank and we examined every check that came through the ATM.  If it wasn't right we reversed it and mailed it back to you.  All you should need to do is take it and a copy of you marriage license (and photo ID) and they should deposit it.  If you don't have that you could bring an old SS card.  If the teller isn't confident that they can do it feel free to ask for the manager.  Your issue will not be with the local branch of a bank but their loss prevention at their main processing building.  Now, since you say this is a credit union it may depend on how big it is and where they do the final processing and verification.

[milee]

Sept 25, 2013 7:40:44 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Sept 25, 2013 7:25:30 GMT -5 milee said:

or - you could just take a whole 30 seconds and deposit it in the ATM, which doesn't verify the payee. 

It's a credit union and not a bank. Do you still think this would work even though I've already signed the check and then dh signed underneath that? You're sure a person doesn't look at the checks after they go into the atm? I'm not even positive the credit union atm accepts checks, but I've never looked for that function.

Yes, I do think there's a very high chance it will go through with no problems.  99% of all review is just that it is signed (signed, not who signed it) and that all the required info is there, especially for smaller checks.  I sure as heck would at least try it on before going through all the rest of the hoo ha being described here.  If you're worried, just don't count it in your balance for 2-3 weeks until you're sure that it's not coming back to you.

If it comes back, then you can go through the other steps described.

milee, CPA

[alabamagal]

Well I have never had a problem depositing checks that aren't in my name.  Kind of the opposite problem, I never changed my name when I got married, but my MIL thinks I am just pretending and the my "real" last name is the same as my DH.  So I get a check for my birthday every year that has my first name and DH last name.  I just sign my name and deposit it.  But we do have a joint checking account, so that last name on the check is the same as one on the account.

And I always wondered how well they check anyway.  DH has one of those scribbly signatures that you can no determine what his name is.  I doubt that the bank checks his scribble against the one on file every time he deposits a check.

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2013 7:40:44 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Sept 25, 2013 7:25:30 GMT -5 milee said:

or - you could just take a whole 30 seconds and deposit it in the ATM, which doesn't verify the payee. 

It's a credit union and not a bank. Do you still think this would work even though I've already signed the check and then dh signed underneath that? You're sure a person doesn't look at the checks after they go into the atm? I'm not even positive the credit union atm accepts checks, but I've never looked for that function.

they do look at the checks after they go into the ATM.  I deposited my son's paycheck into my account.  I hadn't signed it and they kicked it back because my name was on the account but I hadn't signed the check. 

[973beachbum]

Sept 24, 2013 14:59:58 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

I recently changed home insurance companies. We've had the same insurance the entire time we've been at this house. They mailed me a refund check (my escrow had already paid them for the year), but the check has my name only and it's my maiden name. It's weird because I wasn't originally on the mortgage. Dh bought the house.  Anyway, I signed the back of the check (using my maiden name) and then dh signed underneath that. Dh tried to deposit the check today, but the bank wouldn't let him because they didn't have my name on file. What's the fastest/easiest way to get the check deposited?

The problem now IMO isn't the name the check was made out to.  If you had just signed the check as it was made out and deposited it they probably would have just deposted it no questions asked.  If they hadn't, you could have easily proved that you changed your name and that the name on the check was your old name.

It is the fact that you had a person not named on the check sign it that is the problem.  While they might not look hard at signatures they do notice if a check has one name it is made out, to and two different names endorsing it.  You could try to talk to the bank manager and see if they would deposit it because they know you but if they don't the only thing left is to call the insurance company and have them send a new check with the correct name on it.

[Deleted]

My bank account is still in my Maiden name (yes, I am THAT lazy!  ). I haven't had any problems depositing checks in my married name (because if I did, I would go and get that updated!  )

[Deleted]

We use the ATM to deposit most checks.  Our tellers are such a PITA.  They won't take anything.  I'm not on DH's main account, so even if I have a deposit slip and his ATM card, I can't deposit DH's checks.  If I have signed something over to him, I have to be there so they can check my ID.  We also have the name problem.  I did't take Dh's last name, but people still write checks to me as if I had.  So to someone who does not exist.

Bank takes everything just fine, if I walk 10 feet from the teller and deposit everything into the ATM.  Never had a check returned.

[jeffreymo]

I think with alot of banks they don't care until someone else does care.  I deposited a check the other day that was made out to my wife but had my signature on the back.  The teller didn't blink an eye.

A local weekly paper had an article a few years back where they had staff members pay their utilities by check, but instead of making the check out to the name of the utility they wrote random curse words, cartoon characters, and other derogatories.  Every one of them cleared.  And this was when you still received your stack of cleared checks each month so they had evidence.

[Sam_2.0]

I get this all the time for some reason. I just sign it with my now legal name and deposit at the ATM. Never had an issue. It was such a PITA to get names updated with some companies that I just left it. Four years later and no one has said boo about it.

[Sam_2.0]

Sept 25, 2013 11:19:47 GMT -5 jeffreymo said:

I think with alot of banks they don't care until someone else does care.  I deposited a check the other day that was made out to my wife but had my signature on the back.  The teller didn't blink an eye.

A local weekly paper had an article a few years back where they had staff members pay their utilities by check, but instead of making the check out to the name of the utility they wrote random curse words, cartoon characters, and other derogatories.  Every one of them cleared.  And this was when you still received your stack of cleared checks each month so they had evidence.

Most places have payments go to a PO box straight at the bank. The envelopes are automatically opened and the checks scanned for rtg, acct, and amount. No person ever looks at the checks unless something crucial is missing (signature, amount).

[Cookies Galore]

We will be deposting 27 checks this weekend into my (not joint) checking account that are almost all addressed to "Mr. & Mrs. Not My Last Name." So I have to drag the new husband, our marriage license, and a sick wad of cash and checks to the bank. We should probably be nice and try to get before it gets busy!

[Labcat]

Sept 25, 2013 15:45:26 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

We will be deposting 27 checks this weekend into my (not joint) checking account that are almost all addressed to "Mr. & Mrs. Not My Last Name." So I have to drag the new husband, our marriage license, and a sick wad of cash and checks to the bank. We should probably be nice and try to get before it gets busy!

If I write a check for someone's wedding I always address it to Mr. OR Mrs. Last Name because as a teller I had to reject so many checks for the happy couple because they had not opened a joint bank account.  Checks written out as 'AND' are supposed to go to an account with both names....even when both sign the back.  Sometimes we'd try submitting them for deposit but you take the risk that they get kicked backed to you.

[Chocolate Lover]

The state I live in has my full freaking name on my license. I haven't used my first name EVER and it's on there, because the rule was/is it's put on there the way your birth certificate reads. When I went to change it to my married name, they just stuck my married name on the end. So, for me, BOTH names are on the license. (Maiden/married)  

Meanwhile, my SS card doesn't even have my 1st name on it and neither does half my banking junk. My library card does b/c they go by the license. 

[buystoys]

I just endorse the check "For Deposit Only", sign the name on the front of the check, sign my married name, and deposit it in the ATM.  Haven't had a problem yet, but I've also been with the same bank since before I married.

Now, my NYS driver's license HAS to have my middle initial on it because my SS card has my middle initial.  Right after 9/11, I moved from NJ back to NY.  What a mess!  They gave me a hard time about my identity because none of my bills uses my middle initial, my credit cards don't use my middle initial, but my SS card does.  I was one point short until I let them know I had previously lived in NY and gave them the address.  I thought I would NEVER get out of DVM with a license that day!  I should probably clean that all up since I'm moving to Texas soon....

[Cookies Galore]

Sept 25, 2013 16:12:26 GMT -5 Labcat said:

Sept 25, 2013 15:45:26 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

We will be deposting 27 checks this weekend into my (not joint) checking account that are almost all addressed to "Mr. & Mrs. Not My Last Name." So I have to drag the new husband, our marriage license, and a sick wad of cash and checks to the bank. We should probably be nice and try to get before it gets busy!

If I write a check for someone's wedding I always address it to Mr. OR Mrs. Last Name because as a teller I had to reject so many checks for the happy couple because they had not opened a joint bank account.  Checks written out as 'AND' are supposed to go to an account with both names....even when both sign the back.  Sometimes we'd try submitting them for deposit but you take the risk that they get kicked backed to you.

I spoke with two different people at the bank about this exact scenario because I'm worried about it. We're not opening a joint account anytime soon and the wedding money is going to be sent to a Vanguard account. I refuse to open an account just to close it. Blargh. Why do people write to checks to the married name when it's not an instantaneous change? I'm not changing my name, but even if I were it's not like I walk down the aisle my name is automatically legally something else. It's still my maiden name!