Signing a check isn’t always as straightforward as it looks—especially if, like most of us, you’re much more used to making digital payments through platforms like Remitly these days.
Many people aren’t sure where their signature should go or whether anything special needs to be written on the back. If you’re learning to navigate the US banking system, you’re not used to using checks, or you just want to get your cash quickly, this guide will show you exactly where to sign a check to avoid delays.
Check signing basics
Before you get to signing a check in the US, it helps to understand why you need to put your “John Hancock,” as Americans call your signature, on these money transfer documents.
When you write a check and sign it on the signature line, it indicates that you (the drawer or person who wrote the check) are authorizing the bank to withdraw funds from your account and pay the person or entity named on the “Pay to the order of” line.
The recipient (the payee or person who you’re sending funds to) also needs to sign the check. They do this in the check endorsement box on the back of the slip. This tells the bank that the person who the check is written to agrees to receive the funds and authorizes the bank to process or deposit the check into their account.
On most US checks, you’ll see a section at the back that says “Endorse here” along with a line that instructs you not to write, stamp, or sign below that line.
Where to sign a check
Whether you’re making or accepting a payment, it’s important to put your signature in the right place. Let’s take a look at the rules for where you place your signature, to ensure your payment can be processed without delay.
Signing the front of the check
The signature on the front of the check is how the person or entity making the payment authorizes the transfer of funds from their account to the recipient’s. A check can’t be deposited or cashed if this signature doesn’t appear on the document.
The line where you sign is typically placed in the lower-right corner of most US checks, but it may also be a small box. The standardized placement helps bank employees and ATMs scan and process checks quickly and accurately.
Signing the back of a check
The back of the check is where the payee signs. This signature is called the endorsement. It’s a little different from the front signature, as not all banks require checks to be endorsed before accepting them.
The endorsement area appears on the back of a check. It’s usually marked with a heading saying something like “Endorse here,” along with lines or a box for where your signature should go. As with the front signature, it’s important to sign within the designated area to ensure that your bank’s imaging systems or staff can verify and clear the check easily.
When you turn over a check that’s written to you to endorse it, you should sign your name exactly as it appears in the “Pay to the order of” line on the front. So if you’re receiving a check, make sure your name is spelled correctly.
Why where you sign a check matters
The location of your signature on a check matters a lot. On the front, the payer’s signature gives banks legal permission to move funds from the account that’s linked to the check. When it’s missing or in the wrong spot, the check could be flagged for fraud or simply rejected.
The endorsement signature on the back shows that the person holding the check is the rightful recipient of the funds. Even though it’s not always a requirement, signing in the designated “Endorse here” area is the safest bet.
If you make a mistake and sign in the wrong place, you won’t be able to deposit or cash the check. You’ll have to go back to the person who wrote it to get a new one. Which might cause delays, and could be a bit embarrassing.
Best practices for signing a check
Filling out a check can be stressful if you’re still getting used to the US banking system. Fortunately, whether you’re the one paying or receiving funds, the process is pretty simple when you have a clear roadmap of what to do.
Here are some best practices for signing a check as a payer and payee:
- Check the details
Confirm that the date, payee name, amounts, and all other required fields are filled in and accurate. - Use blue or black ink
Banks use imaging systems that don’t always pick up colored pens, and definitely don’t use pencil, which can easily be erased. - Sign consistently
Match the signature your bank has one file or write your name exactly as it appears on the “Pay to the order of” line. - Stay inside the lines
Sign directly on the signature line on the front of the check or within the bounds of the endorsement box on the back.
Different types of check endorsements
There’s only one way to sign the front of a check, but there are a few different options when it comes to signing on the back. There are different ways to endorse a check, depending on how you plan to deposit, cash, or transfer the payment.
Blank endorsement
A blank endorsement is the simplest way to sign the back of a check: You just write your signature in the “Endorse here” section. At that moment, the check becomes what’s known as a bearer instrument, meaning whoever holds it can present it for payment.
This method is most useful when you’re depositing a check soon after endorsing it. For example, when you’re standing at the teller counter in the bank or just before feeding the check into an ATM.
Although it’s quick and easy, there are some risks. Once the check is endorsed in blank, it’s similar to carrying cash. If you lose it or it gets stolen, someone else can deposit it. This means that it’s best to only use a blank endorsement when you’re about to accept the funds from the payer.
Restrictive endorsement
A restrictive endorsement adds a layer of protection to the check cashing process by limiting how the check can be used once it leaves your hands. Instead of a simple signature, you’ll write a short instruction (usually “For deposit only”) and your account number on the back of the check, in addition to your signature.
This extra bit of information tells the bank that the check can’t be cashed or signed over to someone else, and can only be deposited into the specific account you’ve detailed above your signature in the endorsement area.
Restrictive endorsements are ideal when you have a check that you’re not going to deposit immediately. For example, if you’re mailing it to your bank, using a mobile deposit, or depositing it via an ATM.
It’s also a good choice if you’re handling a high-value check. By clearly limiting what can happen to it, you reduce the risk of fraud and ensure that the funds end up exactly where you want them to go.
Special endorsement
Special endorsements allow you to transfer a check that was made out to you to someone else. Basically, these types of endorsements let you pay a third party.
To do this, you’ll need to write “Pay to the order of…” and the new recipient’s name above your signature in the endorsement area on the back of the check. Legally, this transfers your rights as the payee to the new recipient, making them the person who’s authorized to deposit or cash the check.
Although this can be convenient, banks are not obligated to accept checks with special endorsements. Most institutions impose extra requirements (e.g. having both parties present at the branch with their IDs) before these checks can be deposited because of the opportunities they present for fraud.
So before you write “Pay to the order of,” consider confirming with the recipient’s bank that they accept third-party checks and any extra conditions they might apply if they do.
Endorsements for mobile check deposits
Mobile banking apps have changed how we deposit checks, and the endorsement requirements reflect that. With mobile check deposits, you’ll usually take pictures of the front and back of your check to action the deposit.
Many banks require you to sign the check and add wording like “For mobile deposit only” in the endorsement area to do this. Adding this wording helps ensure the paper check can’t be redeposited somewhere else if it lands in an unauthorized person’s hands.
As you’re submitting photos of the check to deposit it, clarity is super-important. Place the check on a plain-colored, flat surface in good light, ensuring that your endorsement text and signature are clearly readable. This helps ensure the bank can easily confirm the check is intended for your account and mobile deposit.
Keep in mind that banks may limit which types of checks qualify for mobile deposit. For example, often they won’t let you use this method for specially endorsed or high-value checks.
Security tips for signing and endorsing checks
Checks carry sensitive information about both the payer and the payee, so a little extra care goes a long way to keeping both parties protected from fraud.
- Sign in ink to ensure your signature can’t be easily erased or altered.
- Never sign blank checks.
- Only endorse the check when you’re ready to deposit it.
- Avoid blank endorsements unless you’re standing in front of the bank teller.
- Don’t include any personal details that you don’t strictly need to validate the check.
- Shred unused or voided checks before throwing them away.
- Monitor your account after writing or depositing a check to confirm action has been taken.
Take control of how you send and receive payments today
Knowing exactly what a proper check looks like and all the signatures it needs makes sending and receiving payments with this paper-based method much less stressful.
It may seem old-fashioned if you’re not from the US, but it’s still very common there, so knowing how to do this right helps you protect your money, prevents processing delays, and keeps your payment moving smoothly through the banking system.
FAQs
Can I sign a check anywhere on the back?
No, your signature should go in the designated endorsement area on the back of the check. It’s usually marked with “Endorse here.” If you sign outside of that area, the deposit might be delayed or the check rejected by your bank.
What if I make a mistake when signing my check?
Most banks will require the check writer to submit a new check if there’s a mistake on the front. Payees can usually re-endorse a check in the endorsement box if they make a mistake. In either case, you should never try to alter the check.
Do I need to sign a check for mobile deposit?
You definitely need to sign a check for a mobile deposit. Many banks also ask that you include something like “For mobile deposit only” so that the paper original can’t be redeposited using another method later on.
Can someone else sign my check for me?
Generally only the payer and the name payee sign the check. If you have a special endorsement or third-party check, don’t need to sign it. But there are other requirements that banks sometimes put in place.
What happens if I don’t sign a check before depositing it?
A check that isn’t signed on the front by the payer can’t be deposited. However, you might be able to deposit a check that hasn’t been endorsed because not all banks require an endorsement for checks to be deposited.