How to Endorse Checks

You've got a check to deposit. Do you need to endorse checks before they go to the bank? Learn how to endorse checks - if you even need to - and how to minimize risks.

When you endorse checks you authorize the bank to do something with it. In most cases, you just want to deposit or cash a check. However, some situations are different. The list below shows how to endorse checks depending on what you need.

• Simply Signing - an easy endorsement that may be risky
• Keeping Your Information Secret - do you want everybody to know what your signature looks like?
• Making Sure it Goes Into Your Account - that may be the most important thing
• Signing Checks Over to Somebody Else - if you can’t pay them any other way
• Checks Payable to Multiple Parties - does everybody need to sign?

No matter what method you use to endorse checks, wait as long as you can before signing a check. If you endorse checks and then they get lost, it's easier for somebody to try to steal your money.

Now that you know how to endorse checks, figure out the best way to deposit them. With fancy new gadgets, you can often skip the teller line (and even the paper check itself):

• How and Where to Deposit Checks