Question = can an individual sign a government check over to another person for the purpose of cashing it? for instance, I have a bank account and my friend does not so she signs it on the back of the check to be payable to me. then I take it to my bank and cash it. is it just up to the bank or does the federal government have rules against it? thanks for your help.

It is up to the bank, they set their own policies regarding cashing third party checks. Some banks may require your friend to come in and show ID, sign the check in front of them and have you sign as well. You would be responsible for returned checks. You would have to check with your bank.

Our bank will normally allow checks to be endorsed over to a third party, but not for any government issued check.