ACCEPTANCE OF CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS - 8023

State money received for deposit will be endorsed per the instructions in SAM sections 8034.1, 8034.2, and 8034.5 as applicable. For items that are deposited remotely, the endorsement is electronically affixed to the back of the image. Physical endorsements are not required.

As a general principle, agencies/departments will accept personal checks to provide convenience to the public. See Government Code section 6157. However, agencies/departments may require payment by cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or money order when:

• Service or materials that cannot be withdrawn if the check is dishonored and the person or firm is not well known.
• The payer previously gave the agency/department a check that was dishonored by the bank.
• The check is drawn on a financial institution outside the state.

Agencies/departments accepting personal checks for services or materials that cannot be withdrawn will assure that enough information is available, either on the check or from available records, to enable tracing the person who presents the check if it is dishonored by the bank. Supplemental information, such as residence or business address, driver's license number, etc., will be essential in locating such individuals.