Where do you endorse a check?
Endorse on the back, at the trailing edge, which is the short end behind the payee line on the front. Most checks print a box or lines there with a warning such as do not write, stamp or sign below this line. Keep everything inside that area. The space below is reserved for bank processing stamps and image data, and writing there can delay the deposit.
Sign your name as it appears on the payee line. If the check misspells your name, many banks accept an endorsement with the name as written followed by your correct signature. Ask your bank if you are unsure.
What are the three types of endorsement?
The Uniform Commercial Code recognizes different endorsements that change what can happen to the check after you sign it.
| Type | What you write | Effect | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank | Your signature only | Check becomes payable to whoever holds it | Only at the teller window, right before depositing |
| Restrictive | For deposit only, then your signature | Check should only be deposited to your account | Deposits by mail, ATM, drop box or app |
| Special | Pay to the order of a named person, then your signature | Only the named person can negotiate it | Signing a check over to someone else |
A blank endorsement turns the check into something like cash: under the UCC it becomes payable to bearer and can be negotiated by possession alone. If you lose it after signing, anyone who finds it may be able to cash it. That is why the restrictive form is the safe default.
How do you write a restrictive endorsement?
Write For deposit only on the first line, then your signature below it. Adding your account number is common and helps the bank route the deposit, though some people prefer to leave it off in case the check is lost. Here is a typical personal example:
- For deposit only
- Account 1234567890
- Jordan Ellis
Under the UCC, a For deposit only or For collection endorsement mainly works by making certain parties liable if they pay the money to anyone other than you. It is strong protection against someone cashing a stolen check, not an absolute lock, so still deposit promptly.
How do you endorse a check for mobile deposit?
Many banks require specific mobile wording, often For mobile deposit only, sometimes followed by the bank name, plus your signature. Many banking apps also ask you to tick a box confirming the endorsement. Use exactly the wording in your bank's app or deposit agreement, because an image without it may be rejected.
There is a regulatory reason behind this. A 2018 change to the Federal Reserve's Regulation CC created an indemnity for banks when the same check is deposited twice, once by image and once on paper. A bank that accepts the paper check cannot claim that indemnity if the check bore a restrictive endorsement inconsistent with the way it was deposited. So a For mobile deposit only endorsement helps protect you and your bank from a later paper deposit of the same check. Our guide to mobile check deposit covers limits, holds and what to do with the paper afterward.
How does a business endorse checks made out to the company?
A check payable to a business belongs to the business and should be deposited into the business account. Most businesses use a deposit stamp rather than a handwritten endorsement. A typical stamp reads:
- For deposit only
- Harbor Bakery LLC
- Account 000123456789
- First Community Bank
Many banks do not require a signature under a business deposit stamp, but rules vary, so confirm with your bank. Never deposit a check payable to your business into a personal account; the bank may refuse it, and it muddles your books and any liability protection the business structure provides.
Can you sign a check over to someone else?
Yes, with a special endorsement: write Pay to the order of followed by the new person's name, then sign below. The new payee then endorses and deposits it. In practice, many banks and check cashers are reluctant to accept these third party checks, and some refuse them outright. Call the other person's bank before relying on it.
A safer route in most cases is to deposit the check into your own account, wait until the funds are final, and then pay the other person by transfer or a new check of your own. It takes a few days longer, but it avoids a refused deposit and leaves a clear record of who received what.
What if a check is made out to two people?
Read the payee line carefully. A check to Alex and Sam Rivera generally needs both endorsements. A check to Alex or Sam Rivera can usually be endorsed by either one. If the payees are listed ambiguously, UCC 3-110 treats the check as payable to either one, but many banks still ask for both signatures, so ask before depositing, especially for large insurance or tax refund checks.
What endorsement mistakes should you avoid?
- Signing a blank endorsement and then mailing or carrying the check
- Writing below the endorsement area
- Using a nickname that does not match the payee line
- Forgetting the mobile wording your bank requires
- Depositing a business check into a personal account
- Depositing the same check twice by app and at a branch
Once the check is deposited by image, keep the paper until the deposit has posted and any hold has ended, then shred it. If you are the one writing checks, our step by step guide on how to write a check covers the front, and our guide to how long a check is good for explains what happens when a check sits too long before deposit. Businesses that write their own checks can order business checks in wallet, laser or three to a page formats.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to endorse a check to deposit it?
Usually yes, especially for mobile and ATM deposits. Some banks accept an unsigned check for deposit at the teller window into the payee's own account, but the rules vary. Endorsing with For deposit only and your signature is the simplest way to avoid a rejected deposit.
What does For mobile deposit only mean on a check?
It is a restrictive endorsement showing the check was deposited by image. Many banks require it, and under Regulation CC it can prevent another bank that later accepts the same paper check from claiming indemnity. Use the exact wording your bank asks for, sometimes including the bank name.
Can I endorse a check with my business stamp only?
Many banks accept a business deposit stamp showing For deposit only, the business name and account number without a signature, but not all do. Check your bank's deposit rules, and keep a manual backup, such as writing the same details by hand, for the day the stamp is missing.
What happens if I write below the endorsement line?
The deposit may be delayed or rejected because that area is reserved for bank processing information. If you run out of space, ask a teller for help rather than writing over the lower section. Most checks give enough room for a signature and a short restrictive phrase.
Sources & specification notes
The references below support the relevant technical or product details in this guide. Examples and checklists are not claims of practical testing or universal supplier requirements. Confirm the current specifications for your chosen product before production.
- Cornell LII: UCC 3-205, special, blank and anomalous indorsements ↗
Defines blank and special endorsements and how a blank endorsement makes a check payable to bearer.
- Cornell LII: UCC 3-206, restrictive indorsement ↗
Explains how For deposit only and For collection endorsements create liability for parties that pay others.
- Cornell LII: 12 CFR 229.34, warranties and indemnities ↗
Contains the remote deposit indemnity and the exception for restrictive endorsements inconsistent with the means of deposit.
- Cornell LII: UCC 3-110, identification of person to whom instrument is payable ↗
Sets the and versus or rule for checks payable to two people and the ambiguous case.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Online and mobile banking tips for beginners ↗
Advises keeping a mobile deposited check until it posts, then destroying it.
