How To Write A Check: A Step-By-Step Guide Bankrate
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AndreyPopov/Getty Images Advertiser Disclosure
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. AndreyPopov/Getty Images Written by Banking writer René Bennett is a writer for Bankrate, reporting on banking products and personal finance. June 27, 2022 Edited by Wealth editor David Schepp is a wealth editor for Bankrate, focusing on deposits and consumer banking content. Reviewed by Founder of Financial Staples Chloe Moore, CFP, is the founder of Financial Staples, a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm based in Atlanta and serving clients nationwide. June 27, 2022 Share
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PREV NEXT If you haven't written one in a while (or ever), here is a handy guide on how to write a check. Steps to fill out a check
Many consumers these days, but occasionally it may still be necessary to pay by check. from banks or third-party printers. Here are the steps to fill one out. 1 Fill in the date
Write the current date on the line at the top right-hand corner. This information notifies the financial institution and the recipient of when you wrote it. The date can be written in long form or all numbers. Either 6/14/2022 or June 14, 2022, could work, for example. 2 Write the name of the payee
On the line that says "Pay to the order of," write the name of the individual or company you'd like to pay, known as the payee. Use the payee's full name instead of a nickname. If you don't know the exact name, you can write "cash." Be aware that if a check is made out to cash, anyone can cash or deposit it. 3 Write the check amount in numeric form
There are two spots on a check for stating the amount you're paying. The first is a small box to the right of the line for the recipient's name. Write the numerical dollar amount in this box. For example, you may write $100.30 if you wish to write a check for one hundred dollars and thirty cents. Make sure you write this clearly so that the bank can subtract the correct amount from your account. 4 Write the check amount in words
Next, write out the dollar amount in words on the line below "Pay to the order of," making sure it matches the numerical amount. Add the cent amount over 100. For example, if you wrote $100.30 in the box, you'll write "One hundred and 30/100." If the check is for $100 or another round number, still include 00/100 for clarity. 5 Write a memo
The memo section of the check is optional, but it's good idea to fill it out because it can serve as a reminder of what the check was for. If you're writing the check to pay for your for a haircut, for example, you can write "haircut." If the check's for a bill payment, write your account number in the memo area. A company may ask you to write your account number or invoice number in this section, which helps ensure the payment is applied to the correct account. 6 Sign the check
Sign your name on the line at the check's bottom right hand corner. Sign legibly and make sure to use the same signature on file at your bank. A signature confirms to the bank that you agree to pay the stated amount to the payee. That's it, your check should be all set to make a payment! (You may also want to check out Bankrate's list of the .) –Freelance writer Anna Baluch contributed to a previous version of this article. ON THIS PAGE
Written by René Bennett Banking writer René Bennett is a writer for Bankrate, reporting on banking products and personal finance. Edited by Wealth editor Reviewed by Founder of Financial Staples up next Part of Banking There are several ways to deposit a check — some are simpler than others. Apr. 29, 2022 Banking Setting up direct deposit is typically easy and can save you a lot of time.... Jun. 30, 2022 Nov. 13, 2022