Endorsing a check means signing the back so you can deposit or cash it. Doing it correctly, and knowing which type of endorsement to use, protects the money if the check is lost or stolen before you deposit it.
What you'll need
- The check
- A pen
Step by step
- Find the endorsement areaFlip the check over and look for the short section of lines at one end, often marked endorse here or with a note not to write below a certain line.
- Choose the endorsement typeA blank endorsement is just your signature and lets anyone cash it. A restrictive endorsement adds for deposit only, which limits it to being deposited into your account.
- Sign exactly as writtenSign your name as it appears on the front pay-to line. If it is misspelled, sign it the misspelled way and then sign again correctly underneath.
- Add account details if depositingFor a mailed or mobile deposit, write for deposit only and your account number under your signature to make sure it goes only to your account.
- Deposit or cash promptlyBring or upload the endorsed check right away. An unsigned check will not be accepted, and an endorsed check that is lost is easier to misuse.
Handy tips
- For mobile deposits, many banks now ask you to also write for mobile deposit only or check a box, so follow your bank's on-screen instructions.
- Stay within the small endorsement box; writing in the wrong area can cause processing problems.
- Wait to endorse until you are ready to deposit, especially for a blank endorsement.
Heads up
- A blank endorsement (just your signature) makes the check cashable by anyone who holds it, so only sign it that way at the moment you deposit or cash it.
- For a check made out to two people, check whether it says and or or; and usually means both people must endorse it.
FAQ
Which side of the check do I sign?
Endorse the back of the check in the marked endorsement area, not the front. The front is where the person who wrote the check signs.
What does for deposit only mean?
It is a restrictive endorsement. Writing for deposit only with your account number limits the check to being deposited into that account, which is safer than a blank signature.
A check has my name spelled wrong. What do I do?
Sign it once the way it is misspelled, then sign again with your correct name underneath. Your bank can usually still process it.