Checks and Checkbooks
How to Write a Check
Annotated Check
1 Writing a Check
Co-authored by Michael R. Lewis
Last Updated: January 18, 2021 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Michael R. Lewis. Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 22 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status.
Writing checks is an easy and important skill every adult should know. To write a check, fill in the current date on the line in the upper right corner, the name of the recipient in the "Pay" field, the numerical amount next to the dollar sign ($), and the written form of the same amount on the line beneath; sign the check on the bottom right line and consider adding a "memo" about the check's purpose on the lower left line. The more often you write checks, the more natural the process will become.
Sample Annotated Check
Writing a Check
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Write the date on the line in the upper right-hand corner. There will be a blank space next to or above the word "Date." Remember that a check is a legal document, and the date written here should always be the day that you sign the bottom of the check.[1] X Research source
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Write the name of the recipient. Write the name of the person or company you're sending the check to next to the line that says "Pay to the Order of." If it's a company and you're not sure exactly what it's called, make sure you get that information right before you write the check. You can also just pay the check to "Cash," but be careful, because that means that anyone can cash it.[2] X Research source
If it's to an individual, include both their first and last names. If they are a 'Jr.' or a 'Sr.' you should include this as well.
If the check is going to an organization, write out its full name. Do not use acronyms unless explicitly given permission.
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Write the amount of the check to the right of the dollar sign. Write the exact amount, using dollars and cents. If the check is for twenty dollars, write "20.00."
Write the monetary amount of the check in word form below the "Pay to the Order of" line. Make sure you also express the number of cents if there are cents, or write "even" at the end of the amount so that another person doesn't add more money to the amount. If you've written a check for $20.00, write either "Twenty dollars and 0/100 cents," "Twenty dollars even," or just "Twenty" with a line running all the way from the right of the word to the end of the line.[3] X Research source
Sign the check on the line in the bottom right corner. Your check will be invalid if it is not personally signed.[4] X Research source
Fill out the memo section on the bottom left of the check. Though this part of the check is optional, it can be helpful to write a note to yourself or the recipient to remember what the check is for. You can write "For May rent" if you're sending a rent check. Also, many companies or landlords require that you provide some other information in the memo section; some companies require you to write your ID number in the "Memo" section, and if you're writing a rent check for your apartment, you should write the apartment # right in the memo section.[5] X Research source
What is the purpose of post-dating a check?
Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
Legally, post-dating a check has no meaning. Once a check is signed, it becomes legal tender regardless of the date of the check. Rules regarding post-dating vary from state to state. Banks are generally not liable for cashing a post-dated check unless certain rules about notice are strictly followed. As a consequence, the use of post-dated checks is rarely justified.
Why is the account number pre-printed on the face of the check?
Checks typically have a routing number identifying the financial institution where funds are held and an account number to identify the customer's account at that institution to ensure proper transfers of money. Many checks also include a third number identifying the check sequence for the account holder's convenience.
How do I write a check for one hundred dollars and 75 cents?
In the legal line, you will write "One hundred and 75/100." In the number line, you will write "$100.75."
How do I write a long number in words, like $1,285?
Write every part of the number in words. In your example, write "one thousand two hundred eighty-five".
Not Helpful 120 Helpful 302
What do you do if you make a mistake while writing a check?
Write VOID in large letters across the face of the check, then rip it up and do a new one.
How do I include two names on a check I write?
Put the word "and" or "or" between the names. For example, "John Doe and Joan Doe" or "John Doe or Joan Doe." The word "and" means that both parties must endorse the check and, in some cases, have a joint account at the financial institution they are negotiating the check at. If you write the word "or" between the names, either party can present the check for payment at their financial institution.
How do you write a check that is zero dollars and 42 cents?
Write "zero dollars and 42/100 cents".
Is the check invalid if I forget to write the amount in words?
Yes. The legal line is the amount written in words and is required on checks for them to be valid. This is what the financial institutions have to go by, so make sure you write the words out correctly.
How do I date a check for which funds are not available yet?
You wait until the funds are available until you write the check. If you write a check for which funds are not available and the person/company presents the check at their financial institution, there is a possibility that you would get an NSF fee from your financial institution, for which you are fully responsible.
Can I sign or write something anywhere on the back of the check?
No. If you are writing the check, leave the back side blank. If you are depositing or cashing a check, sign it on the back above the line.
How do I use the check register?
Always use a pen in a dark color such as blue or black. Gel pens are recommended because ink removing liquids do not work as well with the gel.
Always draw a line if there is still space after you write your amount in word form. This will prevent someone writing in an additional few zeros.
If you're writing a check that you don't want to be cashed until a certain day, write the day that you'd like it to be cashed. For example, if you're writing a rent check early but don't want it cashed until the first of the month, write that date on the check. Note, however, post dating won't guarantee that the recipient will not be able to cash the check before the date written on the check
Always sign your name the same way.
When you write the amount of the check in the little box, make sure you write it as close to the dollar sign as possible. Forgers will try to sneak in an extra digit.[6] X Research source
Always make sure you use the correct date. If you don't know the date, guess an earlier one. You can postdate a check, but not everyone will accept them. [7] X Research source
Remember that post-dated checks can be deposited immediately. The date is used to determine when a check becomes stale and will be refused by the bank (typically 7 years after the date unless otherwise specified), not the earliest date that the check can be cashed. A lot of people have been burned by unscrupulous people promising to hold onto checks until the specified date(s).
Make sure your check is written out correctly with the correct spelling of the name and the correct amount of money due to that person.
When tearing the check from your checkbook, be sure to tear as cleanly as possible. The printed numbers along the bottom of the check, called the MICR line, are necessary for cashing or depositing the check; so is the check number, usually located in the top right near the date. If any of these numbers are partially torn off, the check will be rendered invalid.
A bank checking account
A book of checks
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File Bankruptcy in the United States
Balance a Checkbook
Write a Check on a US Bank to a Canadian Payee
Endorse a Check
Cash a Check Made Out to Two People
Cash a Cheque
Spot a Fake Check
Fix Mistakes Made when Writing Checks
Sign over a Check
Write a Check With Cents
Fill Out a Checking Deposit Slip
Deposit Checks
Deposit a Check Online
↑ http://www.themint.org/teens/writing-a-check.html
↑ https://www.immihelp.com/newcomer/writing-a-check-tips.html
↑ https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/file-pay/check.php
↑ https://www.huntington.com/Personal/checking/checks/how-to-write-a-check
↑ https://www.investopedia.com/university/banking/banking3.asp
↑ http://www.lawfirms.com/resources/criminal-defense/criminal-offense/check-fraud.htm
↑ http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/postdated-checks.html
This article was co-authored by Michael R. Lewis. Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin. This article has been viewed 4,991,687 times.
Categories: Featured Articles | Checks and Checkbooks
To write a check, write the date on the line in the upper right hand corner and write the recipient's name on the "Pay to the Order of" line. Put the amount next to the dollar sign, making sure to write it in both dollars and cents. Write that same amount in word form on the line below. Finally, sign the check in the bottom right hand corner to make it valid. To learn more, such as what to include on the Memo line, keep reading!
Español:llenar un cheque
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