Blank Endorsement

The writing of the name of a person who holds a negotiable instrument on the back of the document without specifically designating to whom the paper is to be paid, which transfers the rights that the signer had in the instrument to the person who presents it for payment.

When a person endorses a paycheck, for example, with just a signature, such as "John Jones," then the bank is authorized to pay the check to anyone who presents it for payment, since there is no specification or restriction as to whom the check can be paid. Such a signature is a blank endorsement. A negotiable instrument that has a blank endorsement is called bearer paper.