Short answer: to endorse a check, turn it over and sign in the “Endorse here” area at the top of the back, using the name on the “Pay to the order of” line. To deposit it safely, write “For deposit only” above your signature (a restrictive endorsement). For mobile deposit, add “For mobile deposit only at [your bank]” if your bank asks. To sign it over, write “Pay to the order of [new name]” and sign under it. Facts checked November 11, 2026.
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On this page
The 4 ways to endorse a check
| Endorsement | What you write | Use it when | Risk if lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank | Just your signature | Cashing the check at the teller window | High: anyone holding it may cash it |
| Restrictive | “For deposit only” + signature (+ account number if your bank wants it) | Depositing at a branch, ATM or by mail | Low: funds can only go into an account |
| Mobile deposit | Signature + “For mobile deposit only at [bank name]” (or tick the box if printed) | Depositing with your bank’s app | Low |
| Special (third party) | “Pay to the order of [name]” + your signature | Signing the check over to someone else | Medium; many banks refuse third-party checks |
Where to sign on the back
Sign on the back of the check in the “Endorse here” area,, usually marked by a few lines at the top edge. Keep your writing above the “Do not write, stamp or sign below this line” notice; the rest of the back is reserved for the banks that process the check.
Sign the name exactly as it is written on the front. If the payee name is misspelled, sign the misspelled version first, then your correct name below it.
Endorsing for deposit or mobile deposit
Checks Unlimited’s guide to endorsing a check says that to deposit a check into your own account, write “For deposit only” under “Endorse here”, then sign below it and add your account number. That tells the teller or your bank’s app the money can go only into that account.
For mobile deposit, its video guide says to sign the back and write “For mobile deposit at [your financial institution’s name]” below your signature, or tick a printed mobile-deposit box and add the bank name and date. Then follow your app’s photo steps, write “mobile deposit” and the date on the front, keep the paper check until the deposit fully clears and follow your bank’s hold time (many banks suggest about 5 to 14 days), and then destroy it.
If you deposit many checks, a “For deposit only” stamp does the restrictive endorsement in one press; fill out a deposit slip for branch deposits.
How to sign a check over to someone
- On the back, in the endorsement area, write “Pay to the order of” and the new person’s full name.
- Sign your name underneath, as it appears on the front.
- Hand the check to that person, who endorses it again to cash or deposit it.
Call the other person’s bank first: many banks refuse or put holds on third-party checks, so cashing it yourself and paying them is often easier.
Checks made out to two people
If the payee line says “John and Jane Doe”, both people usually have to endorse. If it says “John or Jane Doe”, either one may endorse. If you want to cash a check without a bank account, the person named must sign at the teller window and show photo ID; check-cashing stores and some grocery stores do this for a fee.
Checks and deposit supplies: prices
If you write as many checks as you receive, here is what a box of plain blue personal checks costs on each printer’s own site today:
| Checks | Checks per box | 1 box | 2 boxes | 4 boxes | Duplicates (1 / 2 / 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checks Unlimited Blue Classic | 80 | $23.49 | $38.99 | $72.29 | $29.49 / $48.99 / $90.49 |
| Checks Unlimited High Security Parchment | 80 | $28.49 | $49.59 | $87.69 | $34.49 / $59.79 / $106.19 |
| Carousel Checks basic blue (VAL-001) | 100 | $20.00 | $39.50 | $79.00 | $22.00 / $44.00 / $88.00 |
| Walmart Checks Blue Secure | 100 | $12.75 | $25.49 | $50.99 | $14.46 / $28.92 / $57.85 |
Prices checked November 11, 2026 on each seller’s own product page, before shipping and taxes. Checks Unlimited says its product prices include handling fees and sells 80 checks per box; Walmart Checks lists free standard shipping and 100 checks per pack; Carousel sells 100 checks per box. Prices change, so confirm them at checkout.
How to endorse a check: frequently asked questions
Where do you endorse a check?
On the back, in the “Endorse here” area at the top. Sign above the line that says not to write below it, and sign using the name on the front of the check.
What do you write on the back of a check for mobile deposit?
Sign the back and write “For mobile deposit only at [your bank’s name]” below your signature, or tick the mobile deposit box if your check has one. Some banks also ask for your account number.
Is “For deposit only” safer?
Yes. “For deposit only” is a restrictive endorsement that limits the check to deposit into an account, rather than being cashed, which helps if it is lost or stolen after you sign.
Can I sign a check over to someone else?
Yes, by writing “Pay to the order of [their name]” and signing under it, but many banks refuse third-party checks, so ask the bank before you rely on it.
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Checks Unlimited prices checked November 11, 2026, before shipping. Affiliate link: GetBankChecks.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Related guides
- Where to order checks
- How to write a check to yourself
- How to cash a check
- How to deposit a check
- How long is a check good for?
- How to write a check
- How to void a check
- For deposit only stamps
- Deposit slips
- Signature stamps
- Check registers
- Cheapest checks 2026
Affiliate disclosure: GetBankChecks.com is an independent guide, not a check printer or a bank. Some links are affiliate links, and we earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and designs change, so check them on the merchant’s site before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal or banking advice; your bank’s rules apply.