Endorsing a check

If you want to cash or deposit a check, you’ll need to endorse it first. Find out how to endorse a check the right way here.

What does endorse a check mean?

Endorsing a check simply means writing down your account details and signing your name on the back of it. This lets your bank know you want to accept the money held in the check. There should be a box or a line that tells you where to put your endorsement.

There will also be an area that says you shouldn’t write, stamp or mark this area. Make sure you avoid writing anything here.

How to endorse a check

If you want to deposit a check into your account, the safest way to do it is to write:

For Deposit Only to [your name] and add your account number. Then sign underneath.

This is called a restrictive endorsement. When you’ve done this, you should go and cash your check.

What should I do if I make a mistake endorsing a check?

If you mess up – like making a spelling mistake – don’t worry. Cross out the mistake, then add your initials. Try to make a clear line through the mistake, instead of scribbling it out.

Once you’ve done this, you can endorse the check like normal. Make sure you can still see your signature clearly.

What if there are already mistakes on the check?

If there are already mistakes on the check – when the name on the front isn’t right, for example – you can still pay it into your account.

When you’re endorsing the check on the back, you’ll need to spell the name exactly like it’s spelled on the front – even if this is wrong. Then sign the check with the correct spelling of your name.

Why should you endorse a check?

Endorsing a check is how you show the cashier you’re owed the money on the check and want to receive these funds. If you endorse a check, it makes it harder for anyone else to claim it.

Endorsing a check is also important as it can protect you from fraud. If you lose a check, someone else may be able to endorse it in their name and then cash it.

Different types of endorsement

What’s a blank endorsement?

A blank endorsement is a check that’s only been signed on the back. This is the most common way people endorse checks. Any bank or third-party provider should accept a check with a signature on the back.

This method is riskier than a restrictive endorsement as it doesn’t specify what account the funds should be paid into. If you lose a check with a blank endorsement, someone else might be able to deposit it.

What’s restrictive endorsement?

A restrictive endorsement is safer than a blank one. You can do this by adding a line on the back of the check, which confirms that it can only be deposited into your account.

A check with a restrictive endorsement can only be used by you, so there’s less chance of fraud.

What is a check with no endorsement?

A check without an endorsement has no signature on the back. Not all banks, third parties or cashiers will accept a check with no endorsement.

If you don’t want to write your signature on the back of a check, you can instead write “for deposit only”. This should make it harder for someone to cash the check if it is lost.

Who should endorse a check?

The person who receives a check needs to endorse it, rather than the person who makes out the check. The person who has written the check should have signed the front already.

How to endorse a cashier’s check

If you’re endorsing a cashier’s check, all you need to do is sign the back of it and hand it over. A benefit of using a cashier’s check is speed – as the first $5,000 of your funds should be available right away.

How to sign a check over to somebody else

If you’ve received a check and you want to use it to pay someone else, you can endorse the check to them. To do this, write:

Pay to the order of [First and Last Name] on the back, then sign the check underneath.

Not all banks or third-party cashiers will accept checks that are signed over to someone else. It might be simpler to deposit the check first, then write another check for the person you want to pay.

What to do with your check once it’s endorsed

Once you’ve endorsed your check, you can cash it at a variety of places. Checks can be cashed at banks, credit unions, US post offices and Kroger Money Services locations.

Using Money Services at the Kroger Family of Stores will make it easy to . We have convenient locations across the country and offer in-store support to make the process quick and simple.

Ready to endorse a check? Head to your nearest Money Services within the Kroger Family of Stores.