Check deposit question

[Purple*Lotus]

I know, I know, I used to work for a bank...  so I should know the answer to my own question, but I don't. 

Apparently, a company I worked for owed me money.  This was years ago, I did not catch it at the time, but they did and they had to pay me back, plus a ton of interest.  Coincidentally, this check ended up being almost to the penny what my tuition for next semester is!  How fortunate am I???

However, the check is in my former last name.  I will go to the bank tomorrow to ask about it, but does anyone know off the top of their heads what I will need in order to deposit it?  Would a copy of my marriage license be enough proof?

In another twist of irony, my divorce should be final soon and I am taking my maiden name back, but according to the paperwork, I only have 60 days to deposit the check so I don't want to wait and miss my time limit.

Thanks for any input!

[zebra15]

Either marriage license, birth certificate, DL, SS card, any of those should be fine,  also if anyone at the bank 'knows' you that should be fine too

[Nitenites]

You need something that shows that both names are you, that the person on the check and the person who holds the account are one and the same. Your marriage certificate would be ideal. (Not sure if they'll take a copy, you may need a *certified* copy.) I'd call and ask at the branch at which you'll deposit it. (Ask to speak to a manager, and write down the name of who you talk to.) 

[texmati]

when I went to cash checks after my wedding, I had a bunch with all sorts of names-- one who had even gotten my *first* name wrong. The teller didn't bat an eye. These were all relatively small amounts though.

Woohoo for found money, though!!!

[nolansmummy]

I never changed my name when i married dh. I get checks from family members all the time with dh's last name. I've never had a problem depositing them.

[CatsCradle]

Originally Posted by nolansmummy 

I never changed my name when i married dh. I get checks from family members all the time with dh's last name. I've never had a problem depositing them.

Same here.  In fact, DD received a birthday check in her name and she isn't even listed on the account, but the bank took it anyway.  Actually, only had trouble one time and then I was dealing directly with a live teller.  No questions have ever been raised when I deposit at the ATM.

[Carson]

To the OP, yep, if you bring a copy of your marriage certificate, you should be good to go. If you don't have the real thing handy, I'd try with a copy first or anything you have on hand.  If you just treat it like a normal transaction (which you have every right to do) honestly the teller may not even notice it.

To the PP and in general information, questions will rarely be raised if you deposit at an ATM.  There is nothing that validates the name on your account vs. what check is in the deposit envelope.  The bank that owns the ATM simply looks at the dollar amount of each check/cash deposited and makes sure the total of the items equals what the ATM says it has received. 

Where an ATM deposit could be disputed is if I write a check to Sara Smith, someone intercepts it and deposits it in an ATM.  When I hear she didn't receive the check, I look at the cancelled check image, which does NOT have sarah's signature on it.  Banks can trace it back to where it was deposited, and ideally, which ATM deposit envelope it came out of and which account it went into.  That is a LOT of work though and I'd love to see it in action (I used to work in retail banking) because it would be quite the fiasco.

[Purple*Lotus]

I ended up taking my marriage certificate with me and it was fine, I just had to sign the old name above the new name.

Yay for my tuition being paid in full with found money.  That is super awesomesauce.  :)