diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 03b4a4cec..e7d4a09fe 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 ## Current Master
 
 - Add ability for internationalization.
+- Will now throw an error if the `to` field in txParams is not valid.
+- Will strip null values from the `to` field.
 - Fix flashing to Log in screen after logging in or restoring from seed phrase.
 - Increase tap areas for menu buttons on mobile
 - Change all fonts in new-ui onboarding to Roboto, size 400
diff --git a/app/scripts/lib/tx-gas-utils.js b/app/scripts/lib/tx-gas-utils.js
index 6f6ff7852..0fa9dd8d4 100644
--- a/app/scripts/lib/tx-gas-utils.js
+++ b/app/scripts/lib/tx-gas-utils.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const {
   BnMultiplyByFraction,
   bnToHex,
 } = require('./util')
-const addHexPrefix = require('ethereumjs-util').addHexPrefix
+const { addHexPrefix, isValidAddress } = require('ethereumjs-util')
 const SIMPLE_GAS_COST = '0x5208' // Hex for 21000, cost of a simple send.
 
 /*
@@ -113,12 +113,14 @@ module.exports = class TxGasUtil {
     }
   }
   validateRecipient (txParams) {
-    if (txParams.to === '0x') {
+    if (txParams.to === '0x' || txParams.to === null ) {
       if (txParams.data) {
         delete txParams.to
       } else {
         throw new Error('Invalid recipient address')
       }
+    } else if ( txParams.to !== undefined && !isValidAddress(txParams.to) ) {
+      throw new Error('Invalid recipient address')
     }
     return txParams
   }
diff --git a/old-ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js b/old-ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js
index 222172dfd..d334d8e5f 100644
--- a/old-ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js
+++ b/old-ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js
@@ -140,6 +140,19 @@ RestoreVaultScreen.prototype.createNewVaultAndRestore = function () {
   // check seed
   var seedBox = document.querySelector('textarea.twelve-word-phrase')
   var seed = seedBox.value.trim()
+
+  // true if the string has more than a space between words.
+  if (seed.split('  ').length > 1) {
+    this.warning = 'there can only be a space between words'
+    this.props.dispatch(actions.displayWarning(this.warning))
+    return
+  }
+  // true if seed contains a character that is not between a-z or a space
+  if (!seed.match(/^[a-z ]+$/)) {
+    this.warning = 'seed words only have lowercase characters'
+    this.props.dispatch(actions.displayWarning(this.warning))
+    return
+  }
   if (seed.split(' ').length !== 12) {
     this.warning = 'seed phrases are 12 words long'
     this.props.dispatch(actions.displayWarning(this.warning))
diff --git a/ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js b/ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js
index d1761f17d..685094854 100644
--- a/ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js
+++ b/ui/app/keychains/hd/restore-vault.js
@@ -144,6 +144,19 @@ RestoreVaultScreen.prototype.createNewVaultAndRestore = function () {
   // check seed
   var seedBox = document.querySelector('textarea.twelve-word-phrase')
   var seed = seedBox.value.trim()
+
+  // true if the string has more than a space between words.
+  if (seed.split('  ').length > 1) {
+    this.warning = 'there can only a space between words'
+    this.props.dispatch(actions.displayWarning(this.warning))
+    return
+  }
+  // true if seed contains a character that is not between a-z or a space
+  if (!seed.match(/^[a-z ]+$/)) {
+    this.warning = 'seed words only have lowercase characters'
+    this.props.dispatch(actions.displayWarning(this.warning))
+    return
+  }
   if (seed.split(' ').length !== 12) {
     this.warning = 'seed phrases are 12 words long'
     this.props.dispatch(actions.displayWarning(this.warning))