How to Endorse a Check (Including to Someone Else and for Mobile Deposit)
Before you can deposit or cash a check made out to you, you usually have to endorse it — sign it on the back. It takes ten seconds, but where you sign and what you write next to your name decide who can use the money. Here's how to endorse a check the right way, including for mobile deposit, to someone else, and for a minor.
Quick answer: turn the check over and sign your name in the "endorse here" area at the top of the back, exactly as it appears on the front. To deposit it safely, write "For Deposit Only" above your signature. For mobile deposit, many banks ask you to write "For Mobile Deposit Only at [Bank Name]" and tick the mobile deposit box if your check has one.
What does it mean to endorse a check?
Endorsing a check means signing the back of it. Your signature tells the bank that you, the payee, agree to deposit or cash it. Without an endorsement, most banks won't accept a check — whether you bring it to a teller, use an ATM or deposit it in an app.
The endorsement goes on the back, in the space marked "endorse here" (usually the top section near one end). Don't write below the line that says "do not write, stamp or sign below this line" — that part is reserved for the banks that process the check.
3 ways to endorse a check
| What you write | When to use it | Risk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank endorsement | Only your signature | Right before you cash or deposit it at a teller | High — anyone holding it can cash it |
| Restrictive endorsement | "For Deposit Only" + your signature (optionally your account number) | Deposits, mailing a check to your bank, mobile deposit | Low — money can only go into an account |
| Special (third-party) endorsement | "Pay to the order of [name]" + your signature | Signing a check over to someone else | Medium — not every bank accepts it |
How to endorse a check step by step
- Flip the check over and find the "endorse here" lines at the top of the back.
- Use a blue or black pen. Don't use pencil or gel ink that can smudge.
- Write any instruction first — "For Deposit Only" or "For Mobile Deposit Only at [Bank Name]".
- Sign your name the way it's written on the "Pay to the order of" line on the front.
- Stay inside the endorsement area and don't write below the line.
- Deposit it right away, especially if you used a blank endorsement.
If your name is misspelled on the front, sign it the way it's misspelled and then sign it again correctly below. Most banks accept this.
How to endorse a check for mobile deposit
Many banks require a restrictive endorsement for checks deposited in their app. The most common wording is:
For Mobile Deposit Only at [Bank Name]
[Your signature]
Some newer checks have a small box on the back that says "Check here if mobile deposit" — tick it as well. Each bank has its own rules, and the app may reject a check that isn't endorsed the way it expects, so check the wording in your app's deposit screen or help section.
After the deposit goes through, write "Mobile deposit" and the date on the front, and keep the paper check in a safe place for as long as your bank recommends (often a couple of weeks) before you shred it. Don't deposit it again somewhere else.
How to endorse a check to someone else
Signing a check over to another person is called a special or third-party endorsement:
- Write "Pay to the order of [their full name]" on the back.
- Sign your name below it.
- The other person endorses it again under your signature when they deposit it.
Banks don't have to accept third-party checks, and many don't — or they ask both of you to come to the branch with ID. Before you sign a check over, ask the other person's bank whether it will take it. If it won't, the simplest option is to deposit the check yourself and send the money with a bank transfer.
Checks made out to two people
- "Maria Garcia AND David Chen" — both people usually have to endorse it.
- "Maria Garcia OR David Chen" — either person can usually endorse it alone.
- "Maria Garcia / David Chen" with no "and" or "or" — banks often treat it like "or", but some ask for both signatures.
How to endorse a check for a minor
When a check is made out to a child, a parent or guardian can usually endorse it for them. A common format is the child's name, then "by [parent's name], parent" and the parent's signature. The check typically has to go into an account the child is on, such as a custodial or joint account. Ask your bank first — the rules differ.
Common endorsement mistakes
- Signing too early. A check with only a signature can be cashed by anyone who finds it.
- Writing below the line. It can get in the way of the bank's processing stamps.
- Forgetting the mobile deposit wording. The app may reject the check, or the bank may return it later.
- Endorsing a check that isn't yours. Only the payee (or someone they legally authorize) can endorse a check.
Endorsing vs voiding a check
Endorsing happens on the back of a check you received, so you can deposit it. Voiding happens on the front of your own blank check, so it can't be used for payment — usually to set up direct deposit. If your employer is asking for a voided check, see how to void a check. No checkbook? You can generate a voided check online with VoidFast — for example for Bank of America or Capital One.
Writing a check yourself instead? Here's how to write a check step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you endorse a check?
On the back, in the "endorse here" area at the top. Don't write below the line reserved for the bank.
Do I have to endorse a check to deposit it?
In most cases, yes. Banks usually require the payee's endorsement, and mobile deposit apps almost always do.
What do I write when endorsing a check for mobile deposit?
Usually "For Mobile Deposit Only at [Bank Name]" followed by your signature, and a tick in the mobile deposit box if your check has one. Check your bank's app for the exact wording.
Can I endorse a check to someone else?
Yes, by writing "Pay to the order of [name]" and signing below it. But many banks don't accept third-party checks, so ask first.
What is the safest way to endorse a check?
A restrictive endorsement: "For Deposit Only" above your signature. That way, the money can only be deposited into an account.
What if my name is spelled wrong on the check?
Endorse it with the misspelled name, then sign your correct name underneath.