Who is the person the check is made out to?

Ready to cash a check? First, you have to endorse it. Depending on what you want to do with the check and how the check is written, this will determine what you write on it and when you sign it. Endorsing a check allows your bank and you, or a third-party, to settle the funds associated with the check.

How to Endorse a Check

There are several ways to endorse a check, and how you endorse a check depends on what you want done with the money and how the check needs to be filled out.

1. Confirm the information of the check. It’s important to make sure all the information is correct. The name in the endorsement must match the payee (“Pay to the Order Of…”) name on the front of the check. If someone gives you a check and they’ve spelled your name incorrectly, endorse the back of the check with the incorrect spelling, and then sign your name with the correct spelling on the back of the check. But for future reference, the date, amount, and signature should all be accurate.
2. Identify who should endorse the check. If a check is made out to multiple people (i.e. multiple payees), look for “and” or “or” in the pay-to line. If the check is made out to “John and Jane Smith,” then John and Jane must both endorse the check. If the check is made out to “John or Jane Smith,” then John OR Jane can endorse the check. This is commonly seen when people give a check inside a wedding card. Check the pay-to line to make sure you’re endorsing the check correctly.
3. Endorse/sign the check on the back of the check. There may be a simple line or a box that reads: “Endorse Here.” There’s usually another line that says, “Do not write, stamp, or sign below this line.” The endorsement area is typically about 1.5” long and covers the breadth of the check.

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.

The most secure way to endorse a check is to:

• Write: For Deposit Only to Account Number XXXXXXXXXX
• Sign your name below that, but still within the endorsement area of the check

This method specifically instructs the bank that the check should be deposited into the account identified in the endorsement. 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.

Keep in mind that the check writer may see a copy of the check through their bank. They typically get to see the front and back of the check. If you’re uncomfortable with someone else seeing your bank account number, you can write, “For Deposit Only” and then sign the check.

This is a less secure option than including the account number, but most banks will follow the instructions and only accept the check for deposit. Please keep in mind that most banks will print the account number on the back of the check during processing. Chances are your bank account will still be visible.

Also, to help protect yourself further from check fraud, wait till you’re at the bank to endorse the check, or if you do a mobile deposit–deposit it right away. This is important to keep in mind because if you lose the check after you endorse it, someone can steal the check and alter the endorsement.

Endorsing a Third-Party Check

If someone pays you with a check and you want to hand that check over to a third person for a payment that you owe them, then you can do this with an endorsement.

Write:

• Pay to the order of [Person’s Name]
• Then sign the check

This is not considered a good practice to do, but it can be done. Some banks will not accept third-party checks due to the risk of fraud and most check-cashing places won’t accept them either.

Blank Endorsement for a Check

This is the least secure way to endorse a check, but it’s the most common. You do a blank endorsement by simply signing your name on the back of the check. Then, when you’re at the bank, you tell the teller if you want to cash it or deposit it.

People will also do a blank endorsement when they’re depositing a check through an ATM or using mobile deposit. If you’re doing a blank endorsement, sign the check just before you deposit the check.

Mobile Endorsement on a Check

Some banks will require you to add “Mobile Deposit” to the endorsement when you deposit a check using your phone. Some banks will accept other endorsement styles for mobile deposit. Check with your bank to find out if they need a special mobile endorsement.

Business Endorsement on a Check

If a check is made payable to a business, then an authorized person must endorse the check on behalf of the business.

• Sign the name of the business as it appears on the pay-to line
• Sign your name
• Write your title with the company (Owner, Accountant, etc.)
• Add any restrictions like “For Deposit Only”

FBO—For the Benefit Of—Endorsement on a Check

Sometimes checks will be payable to a person or company for the benefit of another person.

For example, someone might write a check to an assisted living facility for the benefit of an elderly or special needs family member. The “Pay to the Order Of” line may look like this:

• Assisted Living Facility FBO Jane Smith
• Assisted Living Facility for the Benefit of Jane Smith

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. The custodian endorses the check.

Some banks will require both parties to endorse the check. Consult your bank and the organization receiving the check to find out how to write an FBO check for them. This can get tricky if the bank requires both signatures and the person receiving the benefit of the check is incapacitated and cannot endorse it.

Do I always have to endorse a check?

Some banks will accept a check with no endorsement. There might be a dollar amount limit to this service or a hold on the funds for longer than normal, but some banks will do it.

You’ll need to verify your identity when you deposit the check. Keep in mind that certain types of checks may require an endorsement even if your bank doesn’t.

What does it mean to endorse a check?

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.

Either way, you’re authorizing the bank to convert the check into cash on your behalf. Endorsing a check by signing the back of it is a security step that simultaneously helps to verify you as the proper recipient of the funds and authorizes the bank to complete the transaction.

The information provided in this document is intended solely for general informational purposes and is provided with the understanding that neither Huntington, its affiliates nor any other party is engaging in rendering financial, legal, technical or other professional advice or services, or endorsing any third-party product or service. Any use of this information should be done only in consultation with a qualified and licensed professional who can take into account all relevant factors and desired outcomes in the context of the facts surrounding your particular circumstances. The information in this document was developed with reasonable care and attention. However, it is possible that some of the information is incomplete, incorrect, or inapplicable to particular circumstances or conditions. NEITHER HUNTINGTON NOR ITS AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES (DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR OTHERWISE) RESULTING FROM USING, RELYING ON OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT EVEN IF HUNTINGTON AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF OR FORESEEN THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES.

A check's format can be confusing if you're new to writing checks. It includes pre-printed information that's important to understand, as well as blank spaces where you should fill in the name of the person or organization you're paying, the amount you're paying, your signature, and more.

But once you understand the different parts of a check, you’ll feel confident completing, receiving, and depositing paper checks.

• A check includes pre-printed information as well as blank sections that you need to carefully fill in.
• Understanding check format helps you set up direct deposit instructions, make sure that checks you receive are filled in properly, and order new checks.
• There are about 12 parts of a check that include your personal information, bank information, the name of the payee, the amount of the check, and your signature.

In addition to being necessary for writing a check yourself, understanding the parts of a check helps you:

Reference the diagrams of a completed check at the top of this story and a blank check below as you read through a detailed explanation of each component.

Each of the below sections corresponds to an important aspect of this blank check. Scroll down for both the name and purpose of each one. Some aspects of a check are self-explanatory, such as the date. Others have interesting quirks that are unique to check writing, such as writing out dollar amounts with words.

1. Personal information: Provides details about the account owner, who is the one paying money.
2. Payee line: Designates who can receive the money.
3. Dollar box: Displays the value of the check in numerical format.
4. Amount of your check: This is written out in a section using words instead of numbers.
5. Memo line: A space for any notes about the purpose of the check.
6. Date line: Serves as a timestamp for the check.
7. Signature line: Verifies that the account owner has approved the payment.
8. Your bank’s contact information and/or logo: This is usually printed on the check.
9. Your bank's American Bankers Association (ABA) routing number: This tells banks where to find the funds for the check.
10. Your account number: This is the identifier that lets the recipient know where the money for the check will come from.
11. The check number: This appears in two places and is a security measure to identify each payment and prevent fraud.
12. Your bank’s fractional ABA number: This contains the same information as the ABA in section nine, but it's often presented in another format in the upper right corner of the check, as well.

The back of a check, which isn't pictured here, includes a space for endorsements. A check is supposed to be endorsed, or signed by the recipient before it is deposited or cashed.

The upper-left corner of a check typically shows personal identifying information about the account owner, and it is almost always pre-printed on checks.

This section generally includes:

• Your name
• A home address
• Your phone number

This information is usually either the contact information associated with the bank account or the contact information you choose to have printed when you order checks from your bank.

If you're concerned about privacy, you can limit the amount of information on your checks or take steps such as using a post office box instead of your home address.

It's not uncommon for retailers to require certain details to accept a check. They may handwrite your phone number on the check, for example. This makes it easier for them to protect themselves in case of check fraud.

In this section, you specify who will receive funds from your checking account. Write the name of the person or organization that you wish to pay, also known as the payee. Only the payee is allowed to deposit the check, cash it, or endorse it to someone else.

Use the recipient's full name, rather than a nickname, to avoid any confusion or difficulty for the person depositing the check.

If you don't want to name a specific person or organization, it is possible to pay your check to the order of "Cash." However, this is risky because anybody can cash the check, not just your intended payee.

Write the amount of your check in numerical format (for example, "1,250.00" instead of "one thousand two hundred fifty") in the dollar box.

For security, you want to make it as difficult as possible for someone to alter the number you write in this box.

• Write the numbers as far to the left as possible.
• Clearly enter a decimal and any numbers after the decimal.
• Include ".00" for round dollar amounts.

This box is sometimes called the "courtesy box" because it appears on the check as a courtesy or convenience. The number in this box is not used to determine the legal amount of your check. Instead, the official amount comes from the line below, preceding the word "DOLLARS."

In theory, both amounts should match, but sometimes they don't. In those cases, the written words take precedence over the numbers in the dollar box.

On this line, write the amount of your check using words (as opposed to using numerals). For example, if you write a check for $10.50, you would write "Ten and 50/100" in this section.

If there is space either before or after the amount you write out, you may want to strike through it with a single line in order to prevent anyone from altering the value of your check.

On this line, cents are written as fractions of a dollar, rather than as full cents. Since there are 100 cents in every dollar, put the number of cents above the number 100.

If there's any difference between the dollar box and the amount written in words, the bank is supposed to ignore the dollar box. That's because words are harder to alter than numbers.

The memo line can be used to write an unofficial note on your check. This is entirely optional and it can be written in informal terms. Use the memo line to:

• Add details for your personal recordkeeping.
• Include an account, invoice, or transaction number for paying bills.
• Add notes when you're writing checks to friends or family.

You don't necessarily need to get everything on the memo line. You can write additional information just about anywhere on the front of a check, as long as it doesn't cover up any important information. However, you should not use the back of the check for writing any memo information.

Enter the date in this space. If you want to delay the transaction, you can write a future date and notify the bank.

However, you can't simply post-date checks and expect the bank to delay the transaction. Banks generally have no obligation to adhere to the date written on the check unless you explicitly notify them.

Generally, if you notify your bank or credit union about a post-dated check in a timely manner, that notice is valid for six months. If you notify them verbally, rather than in writing, the notice is valid for 14 days. In that time, they should not cash the check before the date written on it.

The payer signs the check at the line on the bottom right-hand corner of the check. This is a security feature, and the signature can be compared to the account holder's signature on file.

Signing is the last step of writing a check, and it should only be completed after double-checking all other sections of the check. If you sign an otherwise blank check and lose track of it, whoever finds it can put whatever they want in those empty spaces.

You may find the letters "MP" next to the signature line on a check. This indicates that the check includes a security feature called microprinting. Microprinting involves tiny words on your check that cannot be detected by the naked eye.

Your bank's name appears on every check you write. However, this section doesn't contain important info, such as the routing number. A phone number and address may be included, or you might just see the bank's logo.

If you received a check from somebody, this section tells you where they bank and where the money will come from. If you want to cash the check, you may be able to do it at that bank (any branch location—it doesn't necessarily have to be at the same address shown on the check).

However, banks have no obligation to cash anyone's check. They may charge a fee or refuse to cash it if you're not a client.

The routing number, found at the bottom left of your check, serves as an "address" for your bank. With that number, other banks can get in touch with your bank and collect funds from your account when you write a check.

While this is the same information as the fractional ABA, the routing number along the bottom of the check is written in a specific font with a special ink. Known as "Magnetic Ink Character Recognition," or MICR, this allows checks to be easily read and processed by computers.

Your account number is also located on the bottom of a check, and it also utilizes MICR.

In most cases, there are three numbers at the bottom of a check, and your account number is the one in the middle. Some checks use a different format, so it's a good idea to confirm your account number. For example, business checks and checks created by an online bill payment system have a slightly different format.

One good way to find your account number on a check is to look for the "⑈" symbol. Your account number appears just before that symbol.

A check number is a reference number that will help you:

• Balance your checkbook.
• Track which checks have been processed by your bank.
• Know which checks are still outstanding.

Some checks have the check number printed in MICR to help prevent fraud.

This number usually appears in two places, both the upper- and lower-right corners. Again, checks may be formatted differently depending on where they are printed. A good tip for finding the check number is to look for the smallest or shortest number—that's often the check number.

In addition to the MICR line along the bottom of the check, the bank's ABA routing number is generally also printed in its fractional format on the upper right corner of a check.

In some cases, the number is elsewhere, but if you're working with a personal check, you should look toward the upper right.

Just like the MICR line, this number represents the bank, its location, and the Federal Reserve branch that services the bank. ABA routing numbers are more than a century old, and the fractional format helped bankers identify important information before the advent of MICR.

Check numbers are for your reference so you can keep track of transactions. The bank doesn't rely on check numbers when processing checks, and it's possible to clear multiple checks with the same number.

Different vendors and service providers may have different requirements for the personal information you include on a check. Some of them will allow you to write in missing information such as a phone number. Usually, having your name printed on the check is sufficient. The more information you have printed on the check, the more access potential thieves have to your identity.

A check doesn't have to have your current address in order for you to use it. As long as the routing and account numbers on the check are current, the check is valid, and your bank can process it.

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