How to endorse a check comes down to signing the back correctly so your bank can verify your identity and release the funds, whether you are depositing at a branch, an ATM, or through a mobile app.
At a Glance
- A blank endorsement (just your signature) is the least secure option and should be signed only right before depositing.
- A restrictive endorsement, such as "For Deposit Only" plus an account number, limits how the funds can be used.
- Checks made out to two people joined by "and" require both signatures; "or" allows either person to sign alone.
- Mobile deposits typically require an extra line, such as "For mobile deposit only at (bank name)," under federal rules from 2018.
- Business checks need the company name written first, followed by an authorized signer's name and title.
Checking the Check Before You Sign Anything
Before you flip the check over, look at the front. Confirm your name is spelled correctly, the date looks right, and the dollar amount matches what you expected. Many banks will not cash a check that was issued more than six months ago, so an old check sitting in a drawer might get rejected outright. Catching an error now saves a trip back to whoever wrote it.
Where and How to Sign a Check
Turn the check over and look for a section near the top labeled "Endorse Here," usually offering three or so lines. Below that, a larger area will warn "Do Not Write, Stamp, or Sign Below This Line." Sign only in the top section, using ink rather than pencil. If your name is misspelled on the front, write it exactly as misspelled first, then sign your correct name underneath it so the two match up for the bank's records.
Who needs to sign depends on how the check is addressed. If two names appear joined by "and," both people must endorse it, even if the money is headed into a shared account. If the names are joined by "or," either person alone can sign and deposit it. That small word makes a real difference at the teller window, and it is worth specifying when writing a check to a couple, since "John or Jane Smith" avoids the hassle that "John and Jane Smith" can create.
Choosing the Right Endorsement Method for the Situation
Not every check gets signed the same way. The method depends on whether you are depositing it yourself, sending it through a phone app, handing it off to someone else, or cashing it on behalf of a business.
| Endorsement type | How to write it | Best used for | Security level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank | Just your signature | Immediate deposit or cashing at a teller or ATM | Lowest, sign only right before depositing |
| Restrictive (by account) | "For Deposit Only," account number, signature | Ensuring funds go into one specific account | Highest, cash withdrawal is blocked |
| Restrictive (mobile deposit) | Signature plus "For mobile deposit only at (bank name)" | Depositing through a banking app | High, required by federal rules from 2018 |
| Special (third party) | "Pay to the order of (name)," your signature, then recipient's signature | Transferring a check you received to someone else | Moderate, and not accepted by every bank |
| Business | Business name, then authorized signer's name and title | Depositing checks made out to a company | Depends on internal controls and bank policy |
A restrictive endorsement offers the strongest protection because it tells the bank to route the money into one named account only, blocking anyone from cashing it out or depositing it elsewhere. The tradeoff is that whoever wrote the check may later see your account number if they check the canceled check online.
Mobile deposit endorsements exist because of federal rules that took effect in 2018, requiring you to state both your intent to deposit remotely and the name of the institution receiving the check. Skip that line and the app may simply reject the image.
Special endorsements let you hand off a check made out to you, effectively passing the payment along to someone else. You sign your name, write
