Banking » Guides » How To Write A Check: The Full Guide
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How To Write A Check: The Full Guide

Is this your first time to write a check or first time to write one after a long time? This article is for you. Whether for small or big expenses - here's how to write a check easily and quickly.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: March 1, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: March 1, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

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In the U.S., if you have a checking account, you can write a check out of that account. Generally, you can only write a check-up to the amount of money you have on your account. But if you took overdraft protection from your bank, you may be able to write a check for an amount beyond your current account balance.

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Fill Out A Check In 5 Steps

Regardless of the amount, there is only one way to write a check. You can either write a check addressed to a recipient or yourself.

Also, the payment amount must be entered in words and numbers to avoid any discrepancy. Here's how to make it:

1. Date Of Payment

Technically, this tells you when the account holder wrote the check, which is normally the case. But some people write post-dated checks by writing a future date on the line.

When examining a check, this check doesn’t necessarily tell you when you can already deposit it.

how to write a check - part 2

2. Pay To

Also, on the left side of the check below the account holder’s address, you will see the “Pay-To” field. It tells you the name of the person that the check is for or who the account holder is paying.

This can be a business or company name or the name of a person. You can also write “Cash” in this field if your purpose for writing the check is to withdraw money from your account.

how to write a check - part 3

3. Add The Amount (Number & Written)

This field should hold the amount that the account holder wishes to pay.

For instance, if he wants to pay fifty dollars to someone, he should write “$50.00” in this field. To make the check easier to read, the issuer should indicate the amount using numbers (instead of words, which has a special field in #5).

This states the written amount of the check but this time, in words. So, for a $150 check, the issuer should write “One Hundred and Fifty” and the common practice is to put a line after the last word to prevent anybody from adding anything to the amount.

Technically, the amount written in words is the official amount of the check.

how to write a check - part 4,5

4. Memo Line (Optional)

Underneath the bank’s name and address are the “Memo” section where the account holder can write a short note to remind him why he issued the check.

For example, if you’re writing a check for this month’s country club membership dues, you can write “Club membership dues for June” in this portion.

how to write a check-part 6

5. Sign Over

This space is where the account holder places his official signature to authorize the check. If there is no signature on the check, the recipient could have a problem cashing or depositing the check and might have to pay his bank additional fees if the check bounces.

In such a case, the payee should contact the one who issued the check.

how to write a check - part 7

What Should I Do if I Make a Mistake?

If you make a mistake while writing a check, there are a couple of things you can do to correct this mistake. You can cross out where the mistake was made then append your signature or initials above the alteration. signature implies that the mistake was made by you and not someone else.

Alternatively, you can void the check and write a new one if the mistake is not fixable.

Should I Sign The Back Of The Check?

When writing a check, your signature on the signature line on the front of the check is enough – it should be the only place where your signature should appear. You may use the back portion to write a few instructions to the bank or to the payee of the check.

If someone pays you with a check, you should sign the back to deposit or cash the check. Together with your signature, you can include notations that restrict how the payee can use the check.

Can I Write a Check for “Cash”?

You can write a check for cash, when doing so, you do not need to input the recipient’s name. All you need to do is write a check that says “Pay to the Order Of: Cash.” However, be careful not to lose the check as this means it can be cashed at on ATM or banks by anyone.

Writing a check for cash can attract some charges if you are drawing funds from an account domiciled with another bank. If the check is drawing funds from the same bank, then no charges would be placed on the transaction.

Can You Write a Check Online?

It is very possible to write a check. Several platforms such as online Checkwriter  allow customers to fill out checks online. It is also very possible to email a digital version of your check to a recipient through apps such as Checkbook. This service allows customers to sidestep traditional charges such as routing fees, plus they are cheaper to issue.

It is important that you have proper security measures in place for your checks. Ensure that your check is kept in a secure and safe place to protect it from theft or damage. Checks which are made to “Pay to the Order Of: Cash” should be treated with utmost care because they can be cashed by anybody.

Also ensure that when you make cancellations, they are duly signed. Also, set in place, transaction confirmation procedures with your bank to prevent any unauthorized withdrawal. Most preferably, use black ink when filling out checks.

Can You Write a Check For Small Expenses?

There’s nothing wrong if you write a check for the small expenses, like those amounting to just $2.50. Most Americans don’t always bring a lot of cash with them. They make most of their payments through credit card or check.

Nevertheless, we recommend that you carry some cash (about $20) all the time for emergencies. If you are in the habit of writing checks all the time, you must have your checkbook with you each time.

Issuing a bouncing check (a check that the bank dishonors because of insufficient funds) is an offense in the USA. The payee (person or merchant) may charge you around $30 to $35, while you may also have to pay your bank another $25 to $70 in charges.

If it involves a material amount, the recipient of the check may file for claims, bring you to court, and you might end up going to jail aside from paying for damages.

Check The Alternatives

Paying your bills by check is fine but you need to make sure that you are up to it. Preparing each check is cumbersome, and it’s not the most efficient way to move funds. There are other more convenient options available for you – and they are even cheaper. Here are some of them:

  • Pay your bills online or arrange for your bank to automatically send a check each month. You’ll spare yourself from writing the check, paying for postage, or getting the check in the mail.
  • Get a debit card and use it to pay bills. You’ll still be using the same account, but you can transact electronically. You can give up your checkbook (which you need to re-order from time to time), and still have an electronic record of your transactions if you want to check who you paid, when, and how much.
  • Sign up for automatic payments for regular bills like utilities and insurance premiums. This service is usually free of charge and it makes your life easy. The only catch is that you should always have enough cash in your account to cover the bills you will be paying.

In each of the options, you should always make sure that you have sufficient funds available in your checking account. In case you fail to leave enough balance on your account, your payments may “bounce” and it will create problems such as additional fees and potential disputes from your merchants. In any case, if you feel your fees are higher than what it should be, you can always replace your account and lower your fees.

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FAQs

You can write a check to yourself as it is absolutely legal to do so. Perhaps you operate accounts with different banks and want to move money. You write a check to yourself.

All you need to do is simply write your name in the section that says, “Pay to the order of”. If you prefer cash, you can make the check payable to cash. No clearing is required in this type of transaction

It is very possible for someone to steal and cash your check. This is possible through identity theft which can be exemplified in a number of ways such as forgery or using chemicals to alter checks.

Your mail could also be intercepted and cashed with an account opened with a fictitious name. Be sure to take several steps to protect your identity against theft.

If you suspect a check has been lost or stolen, you have to act quickly to prevent financial losses. First, contact your bank to put a Stop Payment Order on the check. This means that all checks transactions on your account would not be authorized. You can also report to the police station if you feel your check could be stolen. This helps to monitor transactions and if possible apprehend the culprit. 

Also, try to provide as much information as possible regarding the missing check. Details such as account number and name, payee name check leaflet number, and routing number would help the bank in placing a Stop Payment Order on the check.

It is possible to write a check for $1m and have it accepted though such transactions are rare because of the amount of money involved. Your bank would want to ascertain the source if the money and if the check is authentic.

Federal law stipulates that a bank can hold a check deposit for seven business days for verification. However, upon deposit of the $1 million check, the bank is expected to provide a total of $5,000 within two business days pending verification. This is broken down as $100 within the next business day after the check has been deposited, and $4,900 after two business days.

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Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

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Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$300 Use Promo Code “AXOS300” for a $300 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you’ll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

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Promotion:
Up to $4,000 New customers may earn up to $4,000 when they open an eligible HSBC Premier checking account from January 8, 2024 through March 27, 2024 and complete qualifying activities:

• Receive a cash bonus of $1,500 when you deposit or invest $100,000 – $199,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,000 when you deposit or invest $200,000 – $299,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,500 when you deposit or invest $300,000 – 499,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $3,500 when you deposit or invest $500,000+

• Earn an extra $500 when you set up recurring monthly Direct Deposits totaling at least $5,000 for 3 months
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

UpgradeLogo

Savings Rate: 5.21% APY
Minimum Deposit:
$0
 
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: 5.05% APY
Minimum Deposit:
$5,000
Quontic bank logo
Savings Rate: 4.50% APY
Minimum Deposit:
$100
 
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

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