Is this okay for check gift?

Question

I made the check out to, "Mr. and Mrs. John Jones." Is that okay? I don't want them to have a problem cashing or depositing it. I don't want to do cash and I don't like the idea of just putting his name or her name alone. Thanks.

Answer 1

That's fine.  You can even put BOTH their first names (John and Jane Smith).  As long as they both endorse the back, the banks shouldn't have an issue with it.

Answer 2

The easiest way for them to cash it is if you put just one of their names. If you put "Mr. and Mrs. John Jones" some banks won't let the check be cashed until the bride's name is legally changed to Mrs. Jones, because they will both need to endorse the check with the correct names. Stupid, I know, but if you really want to make it simple for them just put one of their names.

Answer 3

I would make it out to John and Betty (Smith) Jones.  That way they should be able to cash it with no problems. Or John Jones and Betty Smith Jones

Answer 4

That sounds good.

I usually do Jane and John Smith

but the times I know she's not changing her name I do:

Jane Doe or John Smith

Answer 5

Call them and ask them! Or you could make it out to her alone, you know how we ladies love our money, and put both of thier names on the envelope

Answer 6

It depends. Do they have a joint checking account? Is she taking his last name? Is she a feminist at all - because some women will get REALLY pi$$ed off if you refer to them by their husband's first and last name like that.

You might want to ask casually if she is taking his name or something.

I usually make my checks out to:

John and Jill Smith

or, to make it easier, use her maiden name so they have no trouble at the bank:

John Smith and Jill Jones

or whatever her name is. I would never refer to the woman as her husband's first and last name. Outside of when some people announce it like that at the wedding or reception, it is the ONLY time I've ever heard or seen it done. And many people have done away with it as being arcane and disrespectful to the wife.

I don't think the bank will be much of a problem. But referring to the wife like that could upset her.

Answer 7

No, its a huge issue for banks if they havent changed their names or joined accounts yet. I went through that hassle, please dont do this to the bride and groom.

Just make it out in the guys name. Or give them straight up cash.

They will know it is for both of them.

Answer 8

It really depends on how their bank account is set up.  You are probably safer to put it to one of them only, I don't think you can make a check out to two people, only to an individual or a company.

Answer 9

If address the check to both of them, make sure they know that they will both have to sign the back in order to cash or deposit the check. As long as both signatures are on it, they should be ok.

Answer 10

Fill the check out to the groom but put both of their names on an envelope and put the check inside it.

The bride will not have her name changed over to Mrs. Jones for several weeks and the check may not be able to be cashed until then.  Some of your super strict banks might even demand they have a joint account to cash it and you never know what their finances are.

Answer 11

As long as both parties endorse the check on the back, there should be no problem depositing it in one of their accounts.  However, in order to cash it, they will both need to show their driver's license, which could prove problematic for the Mrs. if she hasn't updated her DL with her new last name- she may have to bring a copy of the marriage certificate for verification.

Answer 12

our bank didn't have a problem depositing the checks that were made out to us as mr and mrs smith.  we didn't even have to sign them all...the bank stamped them and deposited them into our account, which my name was added to as soon as we got married!  a lot of people make a bigger deal out of it than it realy is.  it's not a problem.  my sister also works at a bank, and it's not an issue with her bank either.  banks know that people get married.