How to Write a Check: A Step by Step Guide (With Examples)

 in Blog

If you are filling out a check for the first time in awhile, don’t worry we have your back. You may have questions such as where to sign, how to write out a check, and what the memo is for, or how to write a check with cents. Whether your check is $10, $100, or $1000, the practice is still the same. Here is an example of a perfectly written check for reference: 

1. Date the check 

The first step to writing any check is the date. You will need to make sure that the date is correct and correlates to the actual date the check is planned to be cashed. All checks contain a dedicated space to write down the data. This space to write the date is usually reserved at the top right-hand corner of the check. 

It is important to note that the date you use on the check should be the date at the time of signing and/or cashing in the check, or else it will not be accepted by the bank teller. It is common practice to post-date your check as in, writing a future date. This will not impact the check since it will be considered legal tender once it is signed. 

2. Write the name of the person or business you’re paying next to “Pay to the order of.”

The next step of writing a check is including the name of the person who will be receiving the payment. Here, you might ask yourself, “where do I write the name of the person who will be cashing the check?” In the section below the date is, “Pay to the order of.” Here you will write the name of the person or the organization you are paying the money to.

 The name you put down on the check can be an individual, organization, a school or trust, or any entity which has a bank account where you will be depositing the funds. Since this is the most important part of any check, it is important to make sure that you get the name right. This might not be a problem if you are writing the check to yourself, but if you are writing the name of another person, corporation, or entity, you will want to get the name correct. 

Also, when writing an individual’s name, be wary of writing the person’s nickname or abbreviations in the name section. 

3. Write the amount of the check in numeric format

The next obvious step to writing the check is including the amount. It is important to note that there are two areas in the check where you will be writing down the amount. Normally, the area just below the date is where you will be writing the amount of the check in numeric format (e.g., $200). This is usually given as a box where you will write the amount in numeric format. As standard practice, you will be writing the amount in numeric format starting from the left-hand side of the box. This is to prevent any attempts at fraud. It is extremely important to make sure you write the amount down correctly, so it’s easier for the bank or ATM to process and subtract the correct amount. If you live in the US, your bank check will already have the dollar sign printed on the outside of the box, so there will be no reason for you to write your own dollar sign in the box.

4. Write out the amount of the check in words

To avoid instances of fraud, you will also need to write down the amount in words. This is done in the line right below, “Pay to the order of.” Here you will write the amount in words that should match the amount you wrote in numeric format in the box. For example, if you wrote down $120 in the numeric format in the box, you will write, “One hundred and twenty dollars only.” 

If you will include cents, then you should write the whole amount along with “and {amount of cents} only.” For example, if you have written $120.15 in the box in numeric format, you can either write “and 15/100” in letters or “and fifteen cents.” Both will be acceptable. You can even write the cents numerically. For example, “one hundred and twenty dollars and 15 cents.”

It is important to note that for checks that are under a dollar, you will need to write “zero dollars” and include the amount of cents only. 

The reason why you need to make sure you write the correct amount on the check in words as well is because writing down the amount to be paid in words enables the bank to process the check since it confirms the correct total of the payment. 

5. Sign the check

The final step to writing your check correctly is to add your signature. You should sign your name since you are the person paying the amount that is given in the check. Your signature should be added at the bottom right-hand side, where some checks have “signature” printed. 

It is important to only sign the check once you are sure that all of the information given in the check is correct, and that the numerical value of the amount is exactly that of the amount written in words or vice versa. While signing your check, it is important that you sign as you usually do any legal document. 

One of the mistakes that people writing checks for the first time make is not writing the exact same signature that you had written at the time of creating your account. This can be a problem for some folks who tend to change their signature often so make sure you use the exact same signature as you did at the time of creating your bank account. This is so that the signature will match the one in the bank’s record, which will appear on the screen once the bank official enters your details. 

6. Use the memo to write a short note on what the check is for

Besides the space for your signature on the left-hand of the check is a line titled “Memo” or “For.” This is an optional component of writing your check and is pretty self-explanatory. This section is where you will include any additional information, if necessary. Such as what the payment is for. You can write “monthly rent” or “electricity bill” and even your social security number if you are paying the IRS.

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