A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Check

Even in today's digital environment, checks are nevertheless widely used while less popular than they previously were. Paper checks are an efficient and low-cost method of money transfer, but you probably don't write checks every day (or have never done so). Writing a check is simple, and this lesson will show you how. Proceed through each step at a time, or use the example above as a template to generate the checks you need. You'll move from the top to the bottom of check-in, this example, which should assist you in avoiding missing any stages. You can complete the procedures in whatever order you like if the final product has no missing information.

01 Example

Here's a rundown of the ideal check.

Current date: Put this in the upper right-hand corner. You'll use today's date most of the time, which helps you and the recipient preserve accurate records. You can also postdate the check. However, this does not always work as expected.
Payee: Fill in the name of the person or organization you're paying on the line that says "Pay to the order of." If you're unsure what to write, you may need to ask, "Who do I make the check out to?"
Amount in numeric form: Fill in your payment amount in the small box on the right. Start writing as far to the left as you can. To avoid fraud, the "8" should certainly be up against the left-hand margin of the dollar box if your transactions are for $8.15. See examples of how to enter the amount.
Amount in words: To avoid fraud and misinterpretation, write out the amount in words. This is the proper amount of your payment. If that amount differs from the amount you submitted in numeric form in the previous step, the amount you wrote in words will legally be the amount of your check. Use all capital letters, which are more challenging to change.
Signature: Sign the check legibly on the bottom-right corner line. Still, use the name and signature like the one on file with your bank. This is essential because a check will not be valid until signed.
Memo (or "For") line: Include a note if desired. This is an optional step that has no bearing on how banks handle your check. The note line is an excellent spot to include a reminder of why you made the check. It could also record information that your payee will need to execute your payment (or find your account if anything gets misplaced). For example, when paying the IRS, you may write your Social Security Number on this line or an account number for utility payments.

Make a note of the payment after you've written the check. Whether electronic or paper, a check register is an excellent place to do this. Recording the payment keeps you from spending the money twice. The funds will remain available in your account until the check is deposited or cashed, which may take some time. It's preferable to write down the payment while it's still fresh in your thoughts. Before writing a check, make sure that it is indispensable. Writing a check is time-consuming and not the quickest way to transfer money. You may have other options that might simplify your life and help you save money. You can, for example:

You might pay your bills online and even have your bank send you a monthly cheque. You will not be required to write a check, pay for postage, or mail it.
Get a debit card instead and use it to make transactions. You will pay electronically from the same account. There will be no need to use up checks (which will have to be re-ordered), and you will have an online database of your transaction that includes the name of the payee, payment date, and amount.
Set up recurring payments for things like power bills and insurance premiums. This type of payment is typically gratuitous, making your life easy.
Ensure that you always have enough money to cover the cost.

Regardless of how you pay, be sure you always have enough money in your checking account. If you don't, your payments may "bounce," resulting inexpensive fees and possible legal troubles.

Record the Payment in your Check Register

Keep a check register and keep track of every check you write. This will enable you to: To avoid bouncing checks, keep track of your spending.

Know where your money is going. Your bank statement might only show a check number and amount, with no indication of who wrote the check.
Detect identity theft and fraud in your bank account.

When you received your checkbook, you should have received a check register. You can easily construct one out of paper or a spreadsheet if you don't have one. Copy the following information from your check:

The account number
The day you wrote the cheque
A description of the transaction or the person to whom you made the check
What the payment was for
See a graphic of the different check elements for more information on where to obtain this information.

Using your register, you can balance your bank account. This is the habit of double-checking each transaction in your bank account to ensure that you and the bank agree. If there are any problems in your account, you will be contacted, and if someone has failed to deposit a check, you will be notified (thereby making you believe you have more money to spend). Your check register can also show you how much money you have. When you write a check, you should expect that the money is gone—in some situations, funds are promptly withdrawn from your account because your check is converted to an electronic check.

Tips for Writing a Check

When you write a check, be sure that it is utilized as intended—to pay the amount you meant to the person or organization you intended. Thieves can modify checks that are lost or stolen. Checks have various chances of becoming lost after leaving your hands, making it difficult for criminals to cause you problems. Whether you lose money permanently or not, you'll have to spend time and effort cleaning up the damage left by fraud.

Security Tips

To limit the likelihood of fraud affecting your account, implement the following steps.

Make it permanent: When writing a check, use a pen. If you write with a pencil, anyone with an eraser can change the amount of your check and the payee's name.
No blank checks: Sign a check only after filling in the payee's name and amount. Bring a pen if you're not sure who to make the check payable to or how much anything costs—significantly, it's less risky than giving someone unfettered access to your bank account.
Keep checks from growing: When entering the monetary amount, print it so that scammers cannot add to it. Start at the far left border of the area and draw a line that follows the last digit. If your check is $8.15, move the "8" as far to the left as feasible. Then, put a line from the right side of the "5" to the end of the space, or write the numbers in a way that makes adding them difficult. Someone may add numbers to your cheque if you leave a space, making $98.15 or $8,159.
Carbon copies: Use checkbooks with carbon copies if you want a paper record of every check you write. Those checkbooks include a thin sheet with a copy of each check you write. As a result, you'll be able to immediately determine where your money went and what you wrote on each check.
Consistent signature: Many people cannot sign legibly, and some even sign checks and credit card slips with amusing drawings. However, constantly utilizing the same signature assists you and your bank detect fraud. If a signature is not the same, it will be simple to show that you are not responsible for the costs.
No "Cash": Make your check payable to cash instead. This is just as dangerous as carrying a signed blank check or a pile of cash. 3 If you need cash, use an ATM, purchase a stick of gum and earn cash back with your debit card, or acquire cash from a teller.
Write fewer checks: Checks aren't particularly dangerous, but there are safer ways to pay for items. There is no paper to be lost or stolen when you make electronic payments. Because most checks are converted to electronic payments, utilizing checks does not avoid technology. Electronic payments are often easier to track because they already have a timestamp and the payee's name in a searchable format. For recurrent payments, use technologies like online bill payment, and for everyday purchasing, use a credit or debit card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I write a check to myself?

You can deposit a check made out to yourself in an ATM, a bank branch, or your mobile banking app. Follow the same steps as previously, except write your name in the "Pay to the Order" area of the check. When you deposit a check, you must endorse the back of it.

When should I sign the check?

Sign a check only after the "Pay to the Order of" section, as well as the numeric and written amount, have been completed. Signing a blank check exposes your bank account if it is unintentionally lost or stolen.