Both account holders can sign checks, but the bank decides the rule
On a joint checking account, both owners have the legal right to sign checks and withdraw money. The bank does not stop one owner from signing just because the other owner did not. However, the account agreement you signed when you opened the account may require both signatures on every check, or it may allow either person to sign alone. You need to know which rule applies to your account before you write a check.
Most joint accounts default to "either/or" signing — meaning one person can sign a check without the other person's permission or knowledge. Some accounts, especially business joint accounts or accounts set up specifically for oversight, require both signatures on every check. A few accounts split the difference: they allow either person to sign checks up to a certain dollar amount, but require both signatures for larger amounts.
The only way to know your account's rule is to check your account agreement or call the bank directly. Do not assume based on how the account was opened or who deposited the money first.
Key Takeaways
- Your account agreement, not the law, determines whether one person or both people must sign a check on a joint account.
- Most banks allow either account holder to sign checks alone, but some accounts require both signatures on every check.
- You can contact your bank to change the signing rule if both account holders agree.
- If you suspect someone signed a check without your knowledge, report it to the bank within 30 days to dispute the transaction.
- A check signed by only one person on a "both signatures required" account may be rejected by the bank or the recipient.
How to find out what your account requires
Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person with your account number. Ask specifically: "Does my account require both signatures on checks, or can either account holder sign alone?" Write down the answer and ask them to note it in your account file.
If you have your account agreement at home, look for the section titled "Signing Authority" or "Check Signing Requirements." It will state whether checks require one signature or two. If you cannot find the agreement, the bank can email or mail you a copy.
Some banks also show this information in their online banking portal under account settings or account details. Log in and look for a section about authorized signers or signing rules.
What happens if one person signs when both are required
If your account requires both signatures and someone deposits or cashes a check signed by only one person, the bank may reject it. The check will bounce, and the person who tried to cash it will be notified. If the check was already deposited into another account, the receiving bank may reverse the deposit once it discovers the missing signature.
The person who received the bounced check may charge you a returned-check fee, and your bank will charge you a fee as well. If this happens repeatedly, the bank may close the account.
If you intentionally signed a check on an account that requires both signatures, you are responsible for any fees or consequences. The other account holder is not liable for your violation of the account agreement.
Changing the signing rule on your account
If both account holders want to change from "either/or" signing to "both signatures required," or vice versa, you can request this change at any time. Both people must go to the bank together, or both must sign a written authorization form that the bank provides. Some banks allow you to request the change online if both account holders log in and confirm.
The change usually takes effect within one to three business days. The bank will send a confirmation letter to both account holders showing the new signing rule.
If only one account holder wants to change the rule and the other does not agree, the bank cannot make the change without both people's consent. You would need to close the joint account and open separate accounts instead.
Disputes over unauthorized checks
If one account holder signs a check without the other's permission on an account that allows either person to sign, the second person cannot dispute it as fraud — because both people have the legal right to sign. However, if the account requires both signatures and one person signed alone, the other account holder can report it as unauthorized.
To dispute an unauthorized check, contact your bank within 30 days of the transaction appearing on your statement. Provide the check number, date, amount, and the name of the person or business it was written to. The bank will investigate and may reverse the transaction if it finds the signature was forged or the check was signed in violation of your account agreement.
If more than 30 days have passed, the bank is not required to reverse the transaction under federal law, though some banks may still help. The longer you wait, the harder it is to recover the money.
Joint accounts and personal liability
Both account holders are responsible for all checks written on the account, regardless of who signed them. If a check bounces or is disputed, the bank can pursue either person for the debt. If one account holder writes a check for a personal expense and does not have enough money to cover it, the other account holder's money in the account is at risk.
This is why some couples or business partners choose to require both signatures — it prevents one person from draining the account or writing large checks without the other person's knowledge. If you share an account with someone you do not fully trust, ask the bank to change the signing rule to "both signatures required."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop the other person from signing checks on our joint account?
Only if you change the account agreement to require both signatures on every check. If your account currently allows either person to sign alone, you cannot unilaterally prevent the other person from signing. You would need to close the joint account or have both people agree to change the signing rule.
What if my spouse forged my signature on a check?
If your account allows either person to sign alone, the bank will not treat a forged signature as fraud because your spouse has the legal right to sign anyway. If your account requires both signatures, report the forged check to the bank within 30 days and they will investigate. If the signature is proven to be forged, the bank will reverse the transaction.
Do I need both people present to open a joint account with a "both signatures required" rule?
Most banks require both account holders to be present or to sign the account agreement together. Some banks allow one person to open the account and add the second person later, then both can request the signing rule change. Ask your bank what their process is before you open the account.
If I sign a check on a joint account, can the other person sue me?
If your account allows either person to sign alone, no — you have the legal right to sign. If your account requires both signatures and you signed alone, the other person could sue you for breach of the account agreement or for misuse of joint funds, depending on what the check was for and your state's laws.
What if the bank lets someone sign a check when both signatures are required?
The bank made an error, but you may still be responsible for the check. Contact the bank immediately and ask them to reverse the transaction. If they refuse, you can file a complaint with your state's banking regulator or pursue a claim against the bank for negligence, though this is difficult to prove.