Ideally, you should wait to endorse a check until just before you deposit it. That's the best way to prevent someone from fraudulently depositing a check made out to you. If you do endorse it early, be sure to add a restriction such as "for deposit only" under your signature.

What requires a check endorsement?

If you receive a check that shows you and someone else as payees, you might both have to endorse it. Who must sign depends on whether the check is payable to you and someone else, or to you or someone else. In the case of "and," both of your signatures are required.

Why do checks need to be endorsed?

Why do you Need/What Does it Mean to Endorse a Check

Endorsing a check by signing the back of it is a security step that simultaneously helps to verify you as the proper recipient of the funds and authorizes the bank to complete the transaction.