Sign Your Ticket FAQs
May players use a pencil to sign their ticket?
Yes. The Iowa Lottery recommends signing tickets in ink, but any writing
instrument is fine.
May players use a signature stamp to sign their ticket?
Yes. Players may use a signature stamp that replicates their signature. A stamp simply
bearing their name is not acceptable.
May players use a mailing label/postage sticker to sign their ticket?
No. A mailing label is not a signature.
Do players have to use their real name?
Yes. When players use their real name, it ensures they are the rightful owner of the ticket.
Does a player's name have to be legible?
Players should sign the back of the ticket in the same way they would sign a check
or any other legal document.
May players use their initials only to sign the ticket?
No. Players should sign the back of the ticket in the same way they would sign a check
or any other legal document.
May players use their first initial and full last name to sign the ticket?
Yes. Players should sign the back of the ticket in the same way they would sign a check
or any other legal document.
Do ALL tickets presented to the clerk to be checked/cashed have to be signed?
Yes. Signatures are required before a clerk can check/cash a ticket. When a player signs the
ticket, it ensures he/she is the rightful owner of the ticket and is entitled to any prize won
on the ticket.
Can the clerk give non-winning tickets back to the player?
Yes. If a player doesn't want to keep the tickets, it is his/her responsibility to throw them away.
The pull-tab doesn't have a signature line. Do players still have to sign it?
Yes. Players must sign the bottom of the back of the ticket.
If players mail their tickets to the lottery to be checked/cashed, do they have to be signed?
Yes. All tickets need to be signed. By signing the ticket, players ensure they are the
rightful owner of the ticket.
If a group of players purchase tickets together, do all the members have to sign the tickets?
No. The players must designate one person to sign the ticket on behalf of the group. (The Lottery
encourages the designated player to sign his/her name along with the group's name. For
example, Jane Smith on behalf of The Lucky 13.)
Will a retailer check/cash a ticket if a player refuses to sign it?
No. All tickets must be signed before a retailer will check/cash a ticket.
Does the person signing the ticket have to be 21 or older?
No. In Iowa, a player must be 21 or older to purchase lottery tickets, however a parent or
guardian must also sign the ticket for any claimant who is younger than 18.
Will players get any type of notification when a ticket is checked or cashed?
Whenever a ticket is checked or cashed at a lottery terminal in Iowa, a receipt is automatically generated. If the ticket is
a winner, the amount won is displayed on the receipt. If the ticket is a nonwinner, the receipt states "Not a Winner."
In addition, the receipt may bear other messages reflecting that the ticket has previously been paid or that the draw has not yet occurred.
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