PlayInfoBox

Home /Documents /How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide

Personal checks are used far less than they used to be, but knowing how to fill one out correctly still comes up often enough to be worth knowing.

  1. Fill in the date

    Write the current date in the top-right corner. Most banks will still process a postdated check before its written date, so postdating isn't a reliable way to delay when it clears.

  2. Write the payee's full name

    On the "Pay to the order of" line, write the exact name of the person or business being paid. An unclear or missing payee name can cause delays, or, if the check is lost, make it easier for someone else to attempt to cash it.

  3. Write the amount in numerals

    In the small box on the right, write the dollar amount clearly using numerals, such as "142.50," positioned close to the dollar sign so extra digits can't easily be added in front of it.

  4. Spell out the amount in words

    On the line below the payee, write the amount in words, such as "One hundred forty-two and 50/100," then draw a line to the edge of the space so nothing can be added afterward. If the numeral and written amounts ever disagree, banks generally treat the written-out amount as the official one.

  5. Add a memo (optional but useful)

    The memo line in the bottom-left is optional and doesn't affect whether the check is valid, but it's useful for your own records or to tell the recipient what the payment is for, such as an invoice number or "March rent."

  6. Sign the check

    Sign on the bottom-right line, matching the signature your bank has on file. An unsigned check cannot legally be cashed or deposited.

  7. Record the transaction

    Note the check number, date, payee, and amount in your check register or banking app so your account balance stays accurate before the check actually clears.

Why checks still exist alongside digital payments

Checks remain common for certain payments, like rent to a small landlord, contractor invoices, or situations where a business doesn't accept cards, largely because they require no special equipment or app on the receiving end and leave a clear paper trail.

A correctly written check can still bounce

Filling out a check properly doesn't guarantee funds are available. If your account balance is too low when the check is deposited, it can bounce and typically triggers a fee, regardless of how carefully it was filled out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I make a mistake while writing a check?

Minor corrections with a single clean line-through and initial are sometimes accepted, but many banks and payees are wary of any altered check, so voiding it and starting over on a new one is generally the safer choice.

How long is a check valid after it's written?

Most personal checks are considered "stale-dated" after about six months, though banks aren't legally required to reject them past that point, and some choose to honor or reject an old check at their own discretion.