With the invention of remote deposit capture,¹ you can now deposit checks through your smartphone without stepping foot in a bank. Here’s how to endorse a check for a mobile deposit:
Verify the information on the check
Before signing the back of your check, take a few seconds to look over the information written on the front.
Make sure the payee’s name (your name) is spelled correctly and that the check amount is accurate. Also, though some banks will honor expired checks (older than six months),² verify the issue date and ensure the check isn’t too old.
If there’s missing information or an error on your check, contact the person who wrote you the check and ask them to send you a new one.
Find the endorsement area
Once you’ve verified the information on the front side of the check, flip it over. The endorsement section has a heading like “Endorse Check Here.” Every check may look different, but you’ll generally see three to five grey lines in the endorsement area where you can sign and write.
Provide your signature
Most checks have a solid black line at the bottom of the endorsement area that reads, “Do not write, stamp, or sign below this line. Reserved for financial institution use.” Try to keep your signature within the endorsement area (on the grey lines) to avoid any problems with your bank.
Include a restrictive endorsement
Once you’ve found the endorsement section, use a black or blue ink pen to sign your name. Below the signature, most banks will require you to include a restrictive endorsement like “For mobile deposit only.” If you don’t write this, banks can reject your mobile deposit.
The exact wording might vary depending on the financial institution, so check your bank’s mobile deposit policy beforehand. You should see instructions for restrictive endorsements on your mobile app as you make your mobile check deposit.
Check for errors
Before taking pictures of your check and uploading it onto your mobile banking app, check for errors in the endorsement section. Look for any misspellings or inaccurate information that could make the bank reject or delay your deposit.
