You sign a check in two main places, depending on whether you are the person writing it or the person receiving it.

Short answer

  • If you are writing the check: sign on the signature line on the front , in the lower‑right corner.
  • If you are receiving the check and want to cash/deposit it: sign in the endorsement area on the back , where it usually says “Endorse here.” Stay above any line that says “Do not write below this line.”

Quick Scoop

1. Where to sign when you write a check

When you are the one paying:

  • Look at the front of the check.
  • Find the line or small box in the bottom‑right corner – that’s the payer’s signature line.
  • Sign your name in blue or black ink , the same way it appears on your bank records.

If you don’t sign here, the bank can’t legally move money from your account, so the check can be rejected.

2. Where to sign when you deposit or cash a check

If the check is made to you and you want to deposit or cash it, you need to “endorse” it:

  • Turn the check over to the back.
  • Find the boxed or lined area that says something like “Endorse here” or “Endorsement signature.”
  • Sign only inside that area , usually above any “Do not write below this line” note.

Some banks don’t strictly require a signature for mobile deposits, but signing in the endorsement area is still safest and most standard.

3. Simple step‑by‑step (you’re writing the check)

  1. Fill in the date , payee name , and amount (numbers and words).
  1. Optional: Fill the memo line (bottom left) with what the payment is for.
  1. Sign on the signature line at the bottom‑right on the front.

A quick mental picture: imagine the check as a small form—everything you fill out is in the middle and left, and your signature as the payer always lives in the bottom‑right corner.

4. Common mistakes to avoid

  • Signing in the wrong place on the back (e.g., below the “Do not write below this line”) can cause delays or rejection.
  • Using pencil instead of ink makes the check easier to alter and may not be accepted.
  • Leaving big blank spaces in amounts can make it easier for someone to change the numbers.
  • Endorsing a check (signing the back) long before you actually deposit it increases the risk if it’s lost or stolen.

5. Tiny story to make it stick

Imagine Alex writes a rent check. On the front , they sign in the bottom‑right corner so their bank will send money to the landlord. The landlord flips the check over and signs inside the “Endorse here” box on the back to tell their bank, “Yes, I’m the person getting this money—please deposit it.”

Quick HTML table (for SEO / structure)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Role</th>
      <th>Side of Check</th>
      <th>Exact Place to Sign</th>
      <th>Key Notes</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Person writing the check (payer)</td>
      <td>Front</td>
      <td>Bottom-right signature line or box</td>
      <td>Use blue/black ink; signature authorizes money to leave your account [web:1][web:2]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Person receiving the check (payee)</td>
      <td>Back</td>
      <td>Endorsement area marked “Endorse here”</td>
      <td>Stay inside the box and above any “Do not write below this line” text [web:1][web:4][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: Sign the front bottom‑right if you’re the one writing the check; sign the endorsement box on the back if you’re depositing or cashing it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.