Templates / "For Deposit Only" Endorsement Stamps
"For Deposit Only" Endorsement Stamps
Deposit only stamps exist for one specific purpose: the "For Deposit Only" restrictive endorsement businesses stamp on the back of a check before depositing it. In the US, this is a restrictive endorsement under Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code — it limits how the check can be negotiated further, reducing the risk of a lost or stolen check being cashed by someone else after your business has already endorsed it. A typical layout is two or three lines: "For Deposit Only" on top, the business or account name in the middle, and a blank line or field for the account number written in by hand (most businesses don't pre-print a full account number on a reusable physical stamp, for the same reason a bank stamp usually leaves it blank — one stamp gets reused across many checks, but account numbers shouldn't be permanently fixed into a shared physical object). One practical caveat: mobile check deposit apps sometimes still require the endorsement to be handwritten or to include specific app-required wording alongside the stamp, so check your bank's mobile deposit instructions before assuming a stamped endorsement alone is sufficient. Typical users are small business owners and bookkeepers processing incoming checks.
"For Deposit Only" Endorsement Stamps — Presets
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "For Deposit Only" a legally binding restriction?
In the US, yes — it's a restrictive endorsement recognized under UCC Article 3 that limits further negotiation of the check, though the exact legal effect can depend on your bank's own policies and, for international checks, your country's equivalent commercial law.
Should I include my account number on the stamp?
Most businesses leave it blank and write it in by hand, since one physical stamp typically gets reused across checks for multiple accounts or purposes; check your bank's specific endorsement requirements, including for mobile deposit.