Also known as: blank · blank endorsement
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An indorsement or issuance of a negotiable instrument or document without naming a specific recipient or completing required details. The holder may then fill the blank to direct payment or service as needed.
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The clerk hands Ivan Ivanov a signed and sealed subpoena form with no witness name or hearing details filled in. Ivan completes the blanks with the name of a key eyewitness and the correct trial date before serving the document. The completed subpoena compels the witness to appear and testify as required.
Ike Ingram receives a promissory note payable to his order. He signs the back without naming any indorsee. The note now belongs to whoever holds it, allowing free negotiation by delivery alone.
Isla Ireland holds a check indorsed in blank by the payee. She transfers the check to a friend simply by handing it over. The friend becomes the holder entitled to enforce the instrument.
Ibrahim Iqbal attempts to run for Congress but leaves the candidate qualification form partially blank under state rules. Federal constitutional limits prevent the state from imposing extra requirements that effectively block his candidacy.
Isaiah Ishikawa buys a car under a sales contract containing a blank space for warranty exclusions. The dealer never completes the blank. The buyer successfully claims an implied warranty because no effective disclaimer was made.
Idina Iverson designates her spouse on an ERISA plan form but leaves the contingent beneficiary line blank. After divorce the plan documents control without reference to state revocation rules, so the ex-spouse remains the primary beneficiary.
The instrument becomes payable to bearer. It may then be negotiated by transfer of possession alone until it receives a special indorsement naming a particular person.
A blank subpoena is signed and sealed by the clerk but contains no witness name or hearing details. The requesting party must fill those blanks before service occurs.
An unauthorized insertion into a blank space constitutes a material alteration. If the signer later authorizes the completion, the signature is treated as adopted with respect to the added terms.
…think that he pulled somethin' out and I grabbed for it and that's how I got cut . . . but I'm not positive. I, I, my mind goes blank when things like this happen. I mean, I just, I remember things wrong, I remember things that just doesn't, don't make sense to me later." App. 155 (punctuation added). Sylvia generally…