How To Endorse Checks, Plus When and How To Sign

Writing a FBO check helps to ensure that the funds will be used for a specific purpose, but in this case, the assisted living facility is considered as the custodian of the funds. If you want a basic checking account with no monthly maintenance fee, or an interest-earning checking account, we’ve got the options that are right for you. By endorsing a check, you authorize the bank future value of an ordinary annuity table to collect payment. The bank then has the right to act on your behalf and negotiate the check. If you are looking to endorse a check to someone else then you’ll want to follow the same steps found under the above section, “How to Endorse a Check to a Third Party.” When you get paid via a check, it’s like you’ve received a voucher for the amount outlined on the front of the check.

With mobile banking on the rise, it’s more common than ever to make a mobile check deposit via a banking app. To make this deposit, write “For mobile deposit only,” after your signature. Your bank may also require you to write its name in the endorsement area. Only make a mobile deposit through your bank’s mobile app, and not a third party app, to protect your money. Let’s say you received a check from Alexis, and you owe David money. David doesn’t have a bank account, so the best way to pay him is with cash.

Money for here, there and everywhere

Many bank and credit union ATMs allow customers to deposit checks. Depending on the specific ATM, there may be an envelope you need to use for your deposit. Some banks accept checks without endorsements, but this is rare.

• A bank or credit union may also flag an unendorsed check as fraudulent, which could delay you getting your money.
• The process should be simpler if the plan is to deposit the check as opposed to cashing it.
• You may also include a specific bank account number to ensure the check can only be deposited into a specific account.
• Sending and receiving checks can be a headache and one that’s easy to avoid.

If you do endorse it early, be sure to add a restriction such as “for deposit only” under your signature. In addition to blank endorsement, there are two other major types of check endorsement. If the check doesn’t specify “and” or “or,” but just lists the names, then follow the same instructions you would if the check were written with the word “and.” Sometimes the “Pay to the Order of” line lists multiple people.

When To Endorse a Check

Some banks require that all the payees named on a check endorse it together at the same time, in front of a bank employee. Everyone must show valid identification to prove that they’re permitted to endorse that check. Other banks will accept a check when just one of the payees has an account with them. The person or entity that you choose to sign the check over to will need to ensure that their bank will accept the check, as a bank is not obligated to do so. This should be confirmed before the check is endorsed to avoid causing confusion with multiple signatures.

If the check gets lost or stolen, it’s more difficult for thieves to get your money—they’ll need to alter the endorsement. When someone writes you a check, you typically need to endorse it so that you can cash the check or deposit it. Endorsing a check helps the bank verify you as the recipient and authorizes the bank to make the transaction.

Visit your local bank branch, endorse your check and present it to a bank teller. Then, either let the teller know what you would like to do with the check or fill out a deposit slip. For example, If the check is written out to “Jane and John Doe,” both parties must endorse the check.

By writing your check endorsement this way, you can endorse a check to someone else. But odds are, you will still both need to be present in order for someone else to cash or deposit the check you endorsed to them. But if the check is written out to “Jane Doe or John Smith” then only one of them needs to endorse the check and be present to cash or deposit the check.

What are the 3 types of endorsements?

You should know that not all banks will accept third-party checks due to the high risk of fraud. The bank might also require both parties on the check to be present to cash or deposit the check. As an added precautionary measure you can even include the bank account number of the checking or savings account you want the check to be deposited into. That way there is no doubt for how the bank teller is meant to process the check. There are a number of reasons why people might use a blank endorsement.

However, the bank name I’m being given is a “doing business as” division of another bank. Plus, condominium law in my state does not require that I receive a monthly or even an annual statement showing that my monthly checks are actually being received in Nevada. Whether you want to deposit a check into your checking account or savings account or you want to cash a check, you can do so in person at the bank. A blank endorsement is a simple signature, and does not specify the endorsee.

Confirm the person/entity will accept a signed-over check.

The three ways to process a check are blank, restrictive, and special endorsements. When someone pays you with a check, it’s like handing you cash; but there are few more steps involved. You can take that check to the issuing bank (the bank listed on the front of the check) and cash it or you can take it to your bank and deposit it into your account. When someone pays you with a check, typically you have to sign the back of it before you can deposit it in your account. Signing the back of it is called “endorsing the check.” We have tips on how you can safely endorse a check.

Whether you are taking the check directly to the bank or if a friend is taking the check to your bank for you, we recommend that you use this method as a more secure option. Most checks have a 1.5-inch section on the back for you to write in. Endorse check for deposit only is a type of restrictive endorsement.

Special Endorsement

In the case of a check payable to John Smith (the payee), a blank endorsement would be the signature of John Smith on the back side of the check without any other words above or below his signature. Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers.

ATM

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date. If you don’t include a phrase to this effect, a bank can reject the endorsement attempt. With online transfers becoming increasingly popular, it’s understandable if you don’t know how to cash a check. William has a birthday and his grandma, Anne Doe, writes him a check. She knows William is just a child, so she writes him an FBO check instead of writing the check directly to William.