Lodging a non-crossed cheque to a different person's account

Escapees

If a child receives a gift from a distant relative in the form of a non-crossed cheque, what are the options if they don't have a bank account?!

I'm guessing setting up a bank account for the child is messy, so can the parents just write their own name on the back of the cheque and lodge it that way, with a view to giving the child the cash equivalent afterwards? Note that the child and parents surname is the same if that helps!

I'm aware banks are a lot stricter nowadays than before, but I'm out of touch really when it comes to old-school cheques!!

Allinall

It's whoever the cheque is made out to that needs to sign the back.

If it was me, I'd just sign the child's name and lodge it to my account.

Escapees

That's what I was thinking alright. Only catch is that it's a four digit amount (a grand), so it might get subject to more scrutiny at the bank?

StormForce13

If you can lodge it through an ATM or an express lodgement box then it probably won't even be scrutinised other than a quick check that that the amount is correct.

the_amazing_raisin

I had to lodge a cheque in my name to my wife's account a while back. The procedure was for me to sign the back of the cheque and then lodge it in the branch using a lodgement slip. I wasn't able to use the lodgement machine

Things are likely trickier when the intended recipient isn't able to sign the cheque. Even if they're able to read and write they can't legally sign anything

I suppose if you bring photos ID plus a copy of the child's birth cert showing your name as parent then they should allow it

As regards what to do, it might be worth looking into setting up a children's savings account. They can be set up in a way that it's in their name but only have access to it when they turn 18

the_amazing_raisin

For what it's worth, Revolut offer children's accounts for children aged 6 and over. The parent needs a paid plus account to fully use the features

Doesn't help for cheques unfortunately but it might be somewhere to put the money they received