Sign here please! Before a check can be cashed or deposited, it must be properly stamped by the receiving party. Knowing how to endorse – endorse – a check correctly is an essential piece of banking knowledge that ensures your money goes where it needs to go.
Sign Only
Flip the received check and find the set of equally spaced gray lines. Whatever you do with this check, it will be writing on these lines – many checks will warn “do not write, stamp or sign below this line ” to help you comply with this policy.
Sign on one of the gray lines. Jot down your signature ostentatiously and in full. You can use this space in many ways, but to simply deposit or cash the check, the least you will need to do is sign your signature.
Make sure the name you sign with is the one on the check. If the front of the check specifies a credit for “James “, do not sign “Mino “. If the name on a check is incorrect (for example, Sara Bianchi, while your real name is Sarah Bianchi), sign the check as indicated on the front, then write the correct spelling below.
Make sure all information on the front of the check is filled in correctly. The person who gave you the check must have written down your name, signature, date and amount of the check (in words and also in numbers). Without all this information, the bank cannot pay the check.
Bring the check to your bank to cash or deposit it. Bring the check you received to one of the cashiers and ask them to deposit it in one of your accounts or simply exchange it for cash.
Many banks now have ATMs that allow checks to be deposited through an automated system.
Endorse a Deposit Only Check
Flip the check over and sign it on the top line of approval, as usual. You may need to sign more tightly to save space to write down the rest of the information.
Write “For deposit only “ under your signature. This is useful when you want to make your check safer. That way, if you lose control or need someone else to deposit it on your behalf, no one but you will be able to use the funds.
On the next line write the name of your bank. This will ensure that the check can only be used at that bank.
On the third line write your account number. Make sure you write down the account number you want the check to be deposited into.
Endorse a Check to Transfer It
Signature on the top line. Again, save some space if possible as you will be writing more.
Write “Pay by order of ” in the second line. If you’ve received a check and want to give it to someone else, you can transfer it so that the person can deposit it in their account instead of yours.
Write the name of the person you transfer the check to in the third line. This way you pass the check to the payee whose name you write.
Have the person you are going to give the check to put their signature on the last line.
If necessary, go to the bank with the other person. Prudent banks may require your presence before depositing the check in favor of the person you endorsed it.
Endorse Work Checks
Back up the check with company information. Write on the gray lines on the back of the check.
On the first line, write your business name. For example, write “Giovanni’s Hardware Store”. Use this method when a check is issued not to you personally, but to your business.
On the next line, write your name and title. For example: “Giovanni Rossi, Owner”.
Optionally, type “Deposit only ” with your bank and account number on the remaining lines. Business checks can be approved for filing as personal checks only.
Insurance Checks
Have every party in the game sign the check. This applies to checks made out to an individual, party or other financial institution. For example: “Pay to: Tizio, Caio & Banca XYZ “.
Request that a representative of the financial institution endorse the check. He will most likely write additional information or stamp the check under his own signature.
