Scenario:

My father passed in September of '01 (non 9-11 related). I have been through Probate court and have the papers showing that I am the Administrator of the Estate. I sent these papers along with a letter requesting that my father's checking account be closed. The bank sent me the check, but it is made out to "The Estate of -my father's name-". My bank will not cash it or deposit it. They told me I needed to get a special tax id # (they said it isn't my SSN or my father's SSN).

What is the procedure(s) I need to do in order to deposit this check/cash it/get this resolved?

To obtain a tax ID # for the estate, you need to complete the SS-4 form(click link and print).
Once you have the Tax ID # (usually you can call IRS, they will give you one over the phone, then you can mail the form to them), you can open an account in the "Estate of John Doe". Once the account is established, you can disburse the funds in accordance with the will or if there is no will, as state law dictates. The account may come in handy, as other checks payable to the estate may come in.
You did not say what state you are from, perhaps if you post it, then another person from that state can respond with state-pertinent materal for you.
Good luck.

I am in Georgia, sorry I didn't post that and was not logged in when I posted the question.

So is that the ONLY thing I can do, is obtain the estate tax id # ? Can the issuing bank just open the account under "the estate of .."? or will I still need it regardless of what bank I take it to?

Thank you for your help

Under current Patriot Act regulations, you must have a TIN to open an account.

Thank you very much. I have printed out the form and will fill it out and call the IRS office as soon as possible and see what comes of that.

Thank you again and I'll post the outcome here, hopefully I won't have any more problems.

Thanks

I am sure you will be fine. Good luck!