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.

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.

1. You’ll need to provide your Social Security number and a valid, government-issued photo ID.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Or nonsufficient funds fees may apply if you don’t have the money to cover it.
5. In addition to proof of payment, paying by check offers additional security benefits that cash does not provide.
6. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence.

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.

A check is a written, dated and signed document that instructs the bank to pay a certain total amount of money to the bearer. The entity who writes the check is called the payor (or drawer), while the one to whom the check is written is called the payee. Be aware that some banks may process the check immediately upon deposit, so it’s best to notify the payee about the postdating.

How to Write a Check in 6 Simple Steps

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.

Address the check

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.

Make sure you know who you are paying and the amount you are paying them. At tax time or when you can’t remember exactly what your wrote the check for. The bank could reject the check if it doesn’t exactly match their records.

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.

2. Write US checks for (USD) Dollar Amounts

For a person, be sure to use the full name and not a nickname. Confirm you have enough funds in your account to cover the check. The amount in words is the legal value of the check, so make sure it is correct. Or you can add a line after the numbers so there is no space for any alterations.

Step 4. Write out the amount in words

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.

Find the “Pay to the order of” field and write the recipient’s full name. Writing a check involves understanding various formats and special circumstances. Always ensure you fill out each part of the check carefully to avoid any potential issues or fraud. Additionally, avoid writing sensitive information, such as your full account number, on the memo line. If you only make a minor mistake, you can neatly correct it and initial next to the correction, but this is not always accepted by all banks or payees. If your cursive is difficult to read, it’s better to print neatly to avoid any potential issues or delays in processing.

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 liability debt and leverage defined explained calculated 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”).