Legal Definitions - allonge

An allonge is a piece of paper that can be attached to a negotiable instrument, such as a check or promissory note, when there is no more space left for endorsements on the original document. It is used to receive further endorsements.

For example, if a check has already been endorsed by several people and there is no more space left on the back of the check, an allonge can be attached to the check to allow for additional endorsements.

Under the former UCC § 3-202, an allonge could only be used if there was no space left on the original instrument. However, under current § 3-204(a), a paper affixed to the instrument is considered part of the instrument, so an allonge can be used even if there is still space available on the original document.