To endorse a check for a minor, print the child’s name on the back exactly as it appears on the “Pay to the Order of” line, sign your own name underneath with the word “Parent” or “Guardian,” and add “For Deposit Only” followed by the account number. That third line is a restrictive endorsement, and it keeps the check from being cashed at a counter by directing the funds straight into the account.1Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What Does It Mean for a Check to Be Indorsed “For Deposit Only”?
A minor generally cannot handle a negotiable instrument on their own, so a parent or guardian signs as a representative. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a person who signs on behalf of someone else binds the represented person as if they had signed directly, provided the signature is authorized.2Legal Information Institute. UCC 3-402 Signature by Representative For a parent endorsing their own child’s check, that authorization comes from the parent-child relationship itself.
The Three Lines on the Back of the Check
On the endorsement area on the back of the check, write:
- Line 1: the minor’s name, printed exactly as it appears on the front of the check.
- Line 2: “By [Your Full Name], Parent” or “By [Your Full Name], Guardian.”
- Line 3: “For Deposit Only” and the account number.
Use dark ink. Keep the writing inside the endorsement box so a mobile-deposit camera or an ATM scanner can read it.
When the Check Is Marked “FBO”
Some checks, particularly from insurance companies and government agencies, are made payable using an “FBO” (For Benefit Of) format, such as “John Smith FBO Jane Smith, a minor.” In that case, the adult named before “FBO” simply signs their own name on the back. The FBO wording already tells the bank that the adult is receiving the funds on the child’s behalf, so you do not need to sign as a representative in the way you would for a check made out directly to the child.
If the Child Is Old Enough to Sign
Many banks prefer the child to sign first when they are able to write their name. In that case the child signs on the top line and the parent signs directly below with “Parent” or “Guardian” next to their signature. For a young child who cannot sign, the parent handles all three lines using the format above.
One Extra Line for Mobile Deposits
If you are depositing through your bank’s app, add a line under your signature such as “For Mobile Deposit Only at [Bank Name].” The exact wording is set by the bank; some print it in their app instructions or provide a checkbox on the check image. Skip it and the deposit can be rejected.
Mobile deposits also carry daily and monthly dollar limits, which vary by bank and by how long the account has been open. Typical daily limits at major banks run from roughly $1,000 to $5,000 on standard accounts, though some online banks allow more. A check that exceeds your limit has to go to a branch or ATM. When you photograph the check, put it on a flat, dark surface with good light and make sure all four corners show in the frame.
What to Bring When You Deposit It
Banks verify the adult’s identity and the relationship to the child before accepting the deposit. Requirements vary, but plan on the following:
- For you: a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport.
- For the child: an original birth certificate or Social Security card. Older teenagers with a state-issued ID or student photo ID may be able to use that instead, depending on the bank.
- If you are not the parent: the court order appointing you as legal guardian, along with the Letters of Guardianship issued by the court clerk. Those documents prove you have legal authority over the child’s finances.
At a teller window, bring originals rather than copies. For mobile or ATM deposits, the bank may not ask up front, but it can request the same documents later if a question comes up during processing, so keep them accessible.
A teller deposit is the safest choice the first time you deposit a check for a minor. The teller can look at the endorsement and your documents on the spot and tell you if anything needs to be fixed before you leave.
If the Bank Rejects the Deposit
Rejections are common, usually because the endorsement wording does not match the bank’s internal policy or because a document is missing. A rejected check is returned to you, not voided, so you can correct the problem and try again.
- Missing “Parent” or “Guardian” notation: re-endorse with the designation below your signature, or ask the bank if you can add and initial it.
- Child’s name misspelled on the endorsement: the endorsement has to match the payee line exactly. If the check itself misspells the child’s name, endorse it as written and then also endorse with the correct spelling.
- No mobile-deposit restriction: add the bank’s specific “For Mobile Deposit Only” wording and resubmit the photos.
- Guardianship papers not on file: bring the original court order and Letters of Guardianship into a branch so the bank can copy them for its records.
If you are not sure what your bank wants, call or stop in before you endorse anything. Tellers will tell you the exact format they expect, which matters when a check has an expiration date, as many insurance settlement checks do.
Settlement, Insurance, and Multi-Party Checks
Some checks need more than a proper endorsement before a bank will take them.
Legal settlements paid to a minor usually require court approval before the funds can be distributed. The dollar amount that triggers court oversight varies widely by state, from as low as $7,500 in some states to $25,000 or more in others, and a few states require approval regardless of amount. If a court has approved the settlement, the bank will likely ask for a certified copy of the order before accepting the deposit. Settlement funds often have to go into a custodial account or a blocked account (one that cannot be tapped without a further court order) rather than a regular savings account, depending on what the court’s order says and what your state requires for a minor’s property.
Multi-party checks, common with insurance payouts, need endorsements from every person or entity named on the front. A check listing the minor, a parent, and an insurance company needs all three signatures on the back. One missing endorsement will cause a rejection.
If the child receives Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid, depositing settlement funds into an account in the child’s name can push the child’s countable resources over the program’s asset limit and put those benefits at risk. In that situation the check should be endorsed to a properly established special needs trust by its legal name, for example, “Pay to the order of The Jane Smith Special Needs Trust,” and the trustee, not the parent, signs on behalf of the trust. Depositing into a personal or custodial account instead can trigger a loss of benefits that is hard to reverse.