To endorse a check, sign your name on the back in the endorsement area, which is the lined section near the top usually marked “Endorse here.” That basic signature is all you need for most in-person deposits or when cashing a check at a bank. But depending on how you’re depositing the check or whether you need to transfer it to someone else, the endorsement method changes. Here’s how each type works and when to use it.
Where to Sign
Flip the check over. You’ll see a small section at one end with a line or box and text that says “Endorse here.” Sign your name in that space using blue or black ink, exactly as it appears on the “Pay to” line on the front of the check. Keep your signature and any additional writing within the endorsement area so the bank can process the check cleanly.
Blank Endorsement
A blank endorsement is just your signature on the back of the check with nothing else written. It’s the simplest method, and it works when you’re depositing or cashing a check in person at a bank branch or ATM. The downside is security: if you sign a check this way and then lose it, anyone who picks it up could potentially cash it. For that reason, wait to endorse until you’re at the bank or ready to deposit.
Restrictive Endorsement
A restrictive endorsement adds the words “For deposit only” above your signature. This limits what can be done with the check. If it falls into the wrong hands, it can only be deposited into a bank account, not cashed for currency. This is the safest endorsement for mailing a check to your bank or for any situation where the check might sit around before being deposited.
You can make it even more specific by writing “For deposit only to account #[your account number]” above your signature, which ties the check to your particular account.
Endorsing for Mobile Deposit
Most banks want you to sign the back of the check and write “For Mobile Deposit Only” underneath your signature. Some checks now include a small checkbox on the back that you can mark to indicate the deposit is being made through a banking app. Your bank’s app will typically display specific instructions during the deposit process, so follow those if they differ from the general guidance.
The key detail here is that many banks will reject a mobile deposit if the endorsement doesn’t include that “For Mobile Deposit Only” language. Some banks go further and want you to include the bank’s name, such as “For Mobile Deposit Only at [Bank Name].” Check your app or your bank’s website for their exact requirement before you sign.
Signing a Check Over to Someone Else
If you want to transfer a check you’ve received to another person, you’ll use a special endorsement (sometimes called a full endorsement). This makes the check payable to the new recipient instead of you. The process takes a few steps, and not every bank will accept these “third-party checks,” so some legwork is required before you start writing on the back.
Before You Endorse
Ask the person you’re transferring the check to whether their bank accepts third-party checks. Banks and credit unions are not legally required to honor them, and many don’t. Some banks that do accept them require both you and the new recipient to be present at the branch with government-issued photo IDs. Get this sorted out first so you don’t waste a perfectly good check by endorsing it in a way the receiving bank won’t process.
How to Write the Endorsement
On the back of the check, in the endorsement area, write “Pay to the order of” followed by the new recipient’s full name in clear, legible handwriting. Then sign your name directly below. Your signature authorizes the transfer. Once you hand the check to the new recipient, they can deposit it at their bank, either in person or through mobile deposit if their bank allows it for third-party checks.
If you have the chance to go to the bank together, that’s ideal. It gives the teller added assurance that the transfer is legitimate and avoids potential delays or rejections.
Checks Made Out to Two People
When a check is written to two people joined by “and” (for example, “John and Jane Doe”), the bank will generally require both people to endorse the check before it can be deposited or cashed. If the check uses “or” instead (“John or Jane Doe”), only one person’s signature is needed. When the wording is ambiguous, such as “and/or,” policies vary by bank, so ask your branch how they handle it before depositing.
When Your Name Is Misspelled
If the payee name on the front of the check doesn’t match your actual name, whether it’s a misspelling or a slightly different version of your name, endorse the check twice. First, sign the back using the exact misspelled version that appears on the front. Then sign again directly underneath with the correct spelling of your name. This lets the bank match the endorsement to the check while also verifying your real identity.
Tips for a Clean Endorsement
- Use blue or black ink. Other colors can cause processing issues, especially with mobile deposit scanning.
- Stay in the endorsement area. Writing outside the designated space can lead to the check being returned. The area below the endorsement line is reserved for the bank’s use.
- Don’t endorse early. Wait until you’re ready to deposit or cash the check. An endorsed check is essentially as good as cash if someone else gets hold of it.
- Keep it legible. Especially when writing “Pay to the order of” or “For deposit only,” print clearly so the bank can read it without guessing.