Endorsement in United States

Practical Information

Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982

Writing one’s name, either with or without additional words, on a negotiable instrument (in U.S. law) or on a paper (called an allonge (in U.S. law)) attached to it. By an endorsement, the endorser becomes liable to all subsequent holders in due course for payment of the instrument if it is not paid by the maker when properly presented, and if he or she is given notice of dishonor. (See dishonor (in U.S. law).) 1. Blank Endorsement. The writing of one’s name on an instrument, or an allonge, without any additional words, is a blank endorsement. Its effect is to make the paper payable to the bearer. Thus, a finder or thief might transfer the note to a third party for a consideration, and the third party may then enforce payment against the maker or the endorser.

2. Special Endorsement. The designation of a certain person to whom the instrument is payable is a special endorsement. Thus, if an instrument is endorsed “Pay to John Jones,” or “Pay to the order of John Jones,” followed by the endorser’s signature, no one but John Jones can receive payment for the instrument or transfer it.

3. Restrictive Endorsement. An endorsement that transfers possession of the instrument for a particular purpose is a restrictive endorsement. Examples: “Pay to John Jones only. Mary Brown.” “Pay to National City Bank for collection. Mary Brown.” A restrictive endorsement terminates the negotiability of the instrument.

See also holder in due course (in U.S. law).

(Revised by Ann De Vries)

What is Endorsement?

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Endorsement Background

Resources

See Also

Further Reading (Articles)

Endorsements as marketing: sometimes it pays to have someone else brag about you.(businessstrategies), Reeves Journal; April 1, 2008; Diamond, Mike

Endorsements in Judicial Campaigns: The Ethics of Messaging, Justice System Journal; January 1, 2007; Salokar, Rebecca Mae

Endorsements draw criticism in Eden Prairie; Some say they inject too much politics into local races. Others say they can help guide voters.(NEWS), Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); October 20, 2010

Endorsements: Plums or ploys?(mayoral candidate endorsements), The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA); March 1, 2007; Fitzgerald, Thomas

Endorsements Don’t Sway the Public – With a Few Exceptions, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; March 5, 2008

ENDORSEMENTS ARE CHEAP TRICKS, The Herald News – Joliet (IL); September 24, 1999

Political endorsements find mixed favor, AZ Daily Star; September 10, 2006; Daniel Scarpinato, ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Endorsement Effects: Are Voters Influenced by Newspaper Picks?, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; October 22, 2008

The power of endorsements.(Feature), Campaigns & Elections; July 1, 2004; Felchner, Morgan E.

Endorsement: ; puts advocate in hot water; Domestic violence group pulls support of Clifford, Charleston Daily Mail; October 11, 2000; CHRIS STIREWALT

Westmoreland Committee Endorsements No Longer Set Path to Victory, Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; May 26, 2008; Cholodofsky, Rich

DO ENDORSEMENTS MATTER? IT DEPENDS, SAYS UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; May 21, 2010

The Power of Endorsements, Campaigns & Elections; July 1, 2004; Felchner, Morgan E

Political endorsements find mixed favor., AZ Daily Star; September 10, 2006

October is endorsement month in Portland mayoral race, Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME); October 5, 2011; SETH KOENIG

Endorsements Still Matter to Hopefuls, Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; February 5, 2010; Wereschagin, Mike

“Image Endorsements” in Patent Application Approval Process, Politics & Government Week; May 23, 2013

ENDORSEMENTS MATTER BUT VOTERS ARE WISE TO MEDIA BIAS., States News Service; July 27, 2011

How endorsements get made News, Post editors lay it out, but improvements suggested.(Commentary/Editorial)(Column), Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO); November 25, 2006; Salzman, Jason

Endorsement effects: Are voters influenced by newspaper picks?(Report), NewsRx Science; November 30, 2008