To feel like an idiot

[MovinOn]

I had to write a cheque today.. easy enough...I don't write many and none since I was married. Then dh got home and said because the cheque book has both names on it needs signing by both of us.

I feel like such an idiot....is he right?

Thing is before we were married the cheque book just had my name on and he had a separate one....with just one name on. When I went in to change my name they sent a new cheque book with both names on it.

I'm going to pop into the bank tomorrow to ask....and hopefully catch the business paid in Monday and hope they haven't cashed it yet

On a domestic joint account either party can sign a cheque.

If its a cheque that needs to be co-signed there'll be 2 lines for signatures on each cheque.
If it can be signed by either person, there'll be just one line for a signature.

Usually

No your DH is wrong. I've got a joint cheque book with my DH with both our names on it and I've only ever signed my name on it when writing a cheque.

I think he's wrong, we have a joint account but cheques can be signed by either of us.

I've got a domestic joint account with DH and it only needs one signature on the cheque.

I'm a signatory on a business account that needs two signatures but that was stated on the mandate we signed when the account was opened.

Thanks. None of the how to write a cheque on he front page says anything about needing 2 signatures.

There is only 1 line.

I am hoping it only needs 1.... I feel like an idiot for being so "oh yes I can do this" and paying it so swiftly... only for someone to say I did it wrong (and why he couldn't mention it last night when I said I was writing the blindy thing is beyond me)

Only business accounts need two signatures

You didn't do it wrong

Some accounts need two signatures (business cheques for example) but domestic joint accounts nearly always only need an 'either or survivor' signature on cheques.

You did it right OP

Thing is it wasn't opened as a joint account. It was originally mine and dh added to it later on so we could link all the household accounts to do online banking. ..so no idea what the t&c said about signing them. For years we had separate books with single names and wrote cheques then using just 1 signature. .. why did the bank have to put both names on when I only wanted my name changing to my married name.

You only need one signature

It depends on the mandate. It can be what is know n as 'either/or' (single signature) or joint signature.

Do you both eg sign direct debit mandates? Do you both have your own bank card? Could you chip and pin in a supermarket? If so you have a sole signature account

Thanks everyone.... you've probably helped me sleep tonight now. (Wouldn't have slept for worrying )

"There is only 1 line."

There you have it then - only one signature needed.

Yes we have our own cards.

only one needs to sign

DH and I have a joint account, but that's a legal fiction, because I'm the only one who remembers the logins and writes the cheques! It's fine...