What does it mean to endorse a check to someone else?

To endorse a check to someone else means to sign the back of the check and specify the name of the person to whom you are transferring the funds. This act authorizes the bank to pay the amount on the check to the new payee instead of the original one. It is a way to pass the payment along to another individual, allowing them to cash or deposit the check. Proper endorsement often requires the original payee's signature and may include additional instructions for clarity.