How to Write a Check in 6 Simple Steps

The last section of this guide on writing checks is about void checks. In addition to proof of payment, paying by check offers additional security benefits that cash does not provide. Cash can be lost or stolen and, once cash is submitted, the payment can not be cancelled. You can apply for an individual bank account if you’re 18 years or older and a legal U.S. resident. You’ll need to provide your Social Security number and a valid, government-issued photo ID. Those aged 13 through 17 can open a joint account with a parent or guardian.

When you receive a check from someone else, you need to endorse the check before you can deposit it into your account or cash it. A check endorsement is for security purposes to verify you are the intended recipient of the check. Checks may seem outdated in this digital age, but sometimes they’re the preferred payment method. Follow the tips below to ensure your checks are accounted for and end up where they need to go. This step isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good idea to fill in the memo (short for memorandum) field at the bottom left of the check. This is where you can include a note to remind yourself or the payee about the reason you’re writing the check.

1. Following these tips can help you avoid the headaches and financial troubles of check fraud.
2. For example, If the check is written out to “Jane and John Doe,” both parties must endorse the check.
3. For example, if a landlord does not accept credit card or online payments for your monthly rent, then submitting a check payment would be your best option.
4. The first step to writing a check is to fill in the date section in the upper-right corner of your blank check.
5. Lastly, but most importantly, sign your name on the line at the bottom right-hand corner.
6. If it’s someone you haven’t paid before, verify what name to use.

Example of Writing a Check

This will ensure the check can’t ever be used, and then you can make your payment using a different check. Beside and below the “Pay to” line, you’ll write in how much money the check is for. To the right of “Pay to,” you’ll note the check’s value in numerals (e.g., 375.00) in a box after a printed dollar sign. Then, on the line below with the word “Dollars” at the end, you’ll spell out that amount (“Three hundred seventy-five dollars and 00/100”).

Hold onto the check until you know it has cleared and the funds are deposited into your bank account. It’s a good idea to destroy the check once credited to your account. There are times when a check is made out to multiple people, such as a parent and child or a couple as a wedding gift. To make your check secure and provide instructions to your bank, write “For Deposit Only to Account Number XXXXXXXXX.” Then sign your name below that, staying within the endorsement area. Technology has changed the way the world banks, but some traditional banking methods and instruments remain. Writing a check, for example, is still a viable payment method.

Be sure to look over your completed check at least once to confirm that all of the fields were completed correctly. Making a mistake when you write a check could lead to delays in payment or even loss of funds if someone unintended cashes the check. In the bottom right corner, you’ll find a line that’s typically labeled with “Signature” or “Authorized signature”—though sometimes it may have no text by it at all.

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Writing a check to a charity follows the same basic process, but it can be helpful to include the purpose of the donation in the memo line. A certified check is guaranteed by the bank and requires you to visit your bank branch. It’s important to follow the conventions and legal requirements of the country where the check will be cashed. The numerical amount should be written in the format of whole dollars, followed by “.00” to indicate no cents. If you would rather not write a check, here are two options that might work better for you. Write their name on the line that begins with “Pay to the order of.” You can name a person or a business.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. Kevin has been writing and creating personal finance and travel content for over six years. He is the founder of the award-winning blog, Family Money Adventure, and host of the Family Money Adventure Show podcast. He has been quoted by publications like Readers Digest and The Wall Street Journal.

Important Notes:

The third step is to fill in the box directly below the date, where you have to write in the numerical dollar amount that the check is for. So, whenever you can’t make a financial transaction digitally, it is usually safer to pay with a check than it is to use cash. While learning how to write a check can seem complicated, it’s actually a relatively simple process that you can learn in just a few minutes. If you haven’t written one in a while (or ever), here’s a handy guide on how to write a check.

If your bank allows this, find an eligible ATM, insert your debit card and PIN and follow the on-screen instructions to deposit your check. Check with your bank or credit union to see if they allow ATM check deposits and specific instructions on how to deposit a check. Often, you can order checks online directly through your bank account. Other options include ordering checks at your local bank branch or calling the bank’s customer service number. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service.

Kevin’s work has been featured in Bankrate, Credible, CreditCards.com, Fox Money, LendingTree, MarketWatch, Newsweek, New York Post, Time, ValuePenguin and USA Today. The name signed on the back of the check must match the payee’s name listed on the front of the check. If your name practical capacity accountingtools is misspelled on the check, sign it with the incorrect spelling and then sign it again with the correct spelling. Following these tips can help you avoid the headaches and financial troubles of check fraud.

When you sign it you are agreeing to pay the check value to the payee. The payee might want you to write your account, reference or an invoice number here. Do not write the check out to “Cash” because anyone could cash the check. Do all six steps in order and especially leave the signature until last. While this seems easy enough, there are several ways you can endorse a check, depending on what you’re doing with it.

steps to write a check

It’s a good idea to make a dash striking through any unused space on this line to prevent someone from writing in any additional amounts after you’ve handed off the check. When it comes to writing a check in cents, you have to first write the payment amount (with cents included) in the box next to the $ sign. In this example, our numerical payment amount is $78.26. If you are writing a check to a business or organization, write the name of the business or organization on this line.

Let’s say you need to send a payment to your electric company. Statements, whether sent via mail or email, typically include instructions on making a payment. For this example, suppose that your electric company, ABC Electric, requires you to mail checks as payment for services rendered.

We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Writing post-dated checks is legal in most cases, but check your state laws for specific guidance. A post-dated check is a check with a future date listed on it. Sometimes this is done if someone is sending payment before the due date or doesn’t have sufficient funds in their account when the check is written.