Family member cant cash insurance check need advice.

Question

My brother in law received an 401k settlement for my deceased sister in law. He is a citizen of another counrty and applied for citizenship 9 months ago but has not recieved citizenship yet. She died 4 months ago and they still owe money for funeral expenses. He can not cash the check b/c he does not have two forms of ID. The only ID he has is an expired one from his home country. How can he get two forms of ID? How can he cash the check? It expires in 20 days so they will have to reissue if he does not cash it by then. Also the check is 30k so i think that is another reason the local banks have been hesitant to deal with him.

He does not have a bank account. I asked my credit union if they would cash it and they said he need two forms of ID. Is this required even if he signs it over to me? The banks the family has spoken to made it sound like nothing could be done unless he has additional ID.

Answer 1

I am in total agreement with MBRCATZ1.  Tell him to go back to his home country to have the check cashed.  BTW, this question has nothing to do with insurance and shouldn't be listed here. You should ask the banking section on this.  

Answer 2

He should have a passport, which even though it expires, is absolute identification.  You don't need TWO forms, if one of them is a passport.  

He is going to need a social security number.  He is going to need a bank account.  This transaction WILL be reported, as it's for over $10,000.  If he's been here for a while, well, he SHOULD have a social security number, because he SHOULD have been paying taxes, even if he isn't a citizen!!

If he signs the check over to you, you will have to deposit it - you won't be able to cash it, unless you have at least that much in your bank account.  And for a check in that amount, I think they're still going to want to see his passport.