How to Fill Out a Check

While the use of checks has become less common over the last 20 years, declining by 82% between 2000 and 2024, they can still be useful for certain transactions like house down payments or monthly rent payments.^{[1] [2]}

Even in today’s digital age where you can make payments online using apps and bank transfers, there are still advantages to using checks.

This article will explain how to fill out a check, how to keep your checkbook balanced, and some of the benefits of using checks.

What to know before filling out a check

You’ll address the check to your payee and once deposited by the payee into their bank account or cashed by the payee, the amount will be debited from your checking account.

Before writing a check, familiarize yourself with its key sections:

1. Top left: Write the recipient’s name on the line.
2. Top right: Find the check number, with a space for the date next to it.
3. Bottom left: Use the memo to add a reference or reason for the payment.
4. Bottom right: The signature line where you finalize the payment.
5. Middle: The numeric (to the right-hand side) and written-out (on the line) dollar amounts.

A step-by-step guide on how to fill out a check

Fill out a check properly using these simple seven steps:

Step 1: Write the date

Write the date in the top right corner. Adding today’s date will allow the check to be used immediately.

While you can postdate a check (write a future date), generally banks and credit unions may still cash it right away unless you take specific steps.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, state law may require your bank or credit union to wait to cash the check if you notify them in writing a reasonable time before they receive it. In such cases, your notice is valid for six months and during that time, the bank or credit union should not cash the check before the written date (whereas oral notice is only valid for 14 days).^[3]

Step 2: Add the recipient’s name

On the line labeled “Pay to the Order of,” write the recipient’s full name or business name.

Ensure accuracy when filling out the payee’s name, as any errors could delay the check’s deposit or cashing.

Step 3: Write the dollar amount in numbers

Write the numeric value in the small box on the right-hand side. For instance, if you wish to pay twenty dollars, you will need to put “20.00” after the dollar sign ($).

Step 4: Write out the amount

Write the amount on the middle line, including both dollars and cents. For example, if the amount is $110, then you will write out “one hundred ten dollars.”

Ensure the written amount matches the numeric value written in the box.

How to write cents on a check
Writing cents on a check can be done in two ways, either written out or as a fraction. For example if you were to pay $110.55, you could write:

• “One hundred ten dollars and fifty five cents”
• “One hundred ten dollars and 55/100”

How to write a check with thousands and cents

Writing a check with thousands and cents is the same concept. Let’s look at an example, if you were to write a check for $10,500.65 you’d write that exact numeric value into the box on the right-hand side. You’d then use one of the following:^[4]

• “Ten thousand five hundred dollars and sixty five cents”
• “Ten thousand five hundred dollars and 65/100”

Step 5: Write a memo

The bottom left contains a space for a memo or reference where you add the reason for the payment. For example, if you were paying a plumbing service for shower installation, you could add “shower installation” to the memo.

This section is optional and the check can still be cashed with the field left empty.

Step 6: Verify the details

Verify all the details written on the check before signing. Ensuring you have matching amounts written out and numerically added and the name is correct is important.

Step 7: Sign the check

Sign the check at the bottom right. Ensure that your signature matches the name on the checkbook. This shows the bank that you agree to pay the amount stated to the payee.

How to balance a checkbook

Balancing your checkbook is when you check that the debits and credits on your bank statement match up with your own record of transactions. It’s a way to verify that your bank deposit, debit card purchases, money transfers, and withdrawals are accurate.

Balancing a checkbook can help you track spending, identify uncleared deposits, spot errors, and catch fraud or unauthorized transactions or withdrawals.

You can balance your checkbook using either a digital or paper log that you compare to your bank statement each month.

Here’s how you balance your checkbook, step-by-step:^[5]

1. Choose your recording method: Traditionally, logging transactions is done with a “check register.” This is where you input all information related to every transaction, including purchases, deposits, refunds, and all other transactions. Check register templates can be downloaded online for free–the book comes with columns that include things like check number, date, transaction description, payment/debit (-), fee, deposit/credit (+), and balance.
2. Add your starting balance: Put your beginning balance at the top right of the table in your register. If you are using online banking to find your balance then use the “available balance” because this factors in pending transactions.
3. Add each transaction: All transactions that cause debit or credit to your account should be recorded in your check register, this includes checks you write, checks that you deposit, ATM withdrawals, bill payments, money transfers, or any other debit or credit transaction.
4. Compare your check register to your bank statement: At the end of each bank statement period, compare your check register with the statement. This is the actual balancing process. Ensure that your balance and transactions match up, and if there is a discrepancy or error, you will need to work out what the cause is.

Tips for writing a check

Use a pen

Always use a black gel pen to fill out a check. Gel ink is difficult to erase, reducing the risk of fraudulent attempts. Never use a pencil or erasable ink, as this would allow somebody to tamper with the amount or payee details.^[6][7]

Fill in as much space as possible

Filling in the remaining space on the dollar amount or the “pay to the order of” line may help prevent fraud. By filling the remaining space with a line across it, you can potentially stop somebody from adding their name or altering the amount on the check.^[2]

Fill out the payee name and amount

Fill in the payee name and amount. Never leave a check blank, as this allows someone to fill in the details as they wish, including the recipient’s name and the dollar amount.^[2]

Match the written and numeric amounts

Ensure the amount written in words matches the numeric value in the box on the right-hand side of the checkbook.

A check can still be cashed in the instance of unmatching value. The check remains valid and the amount spelled out in words will be used.^[8]

Benefits of using checks

Although there’s the option of digital banking, there are advantages to using paper checks for payment.

Here are the pros of using checks:^[9]

• Gift money to friends and family without the need of an app
• Pay for goods when other payment methods aren’t accepted
• You have easily accessible proof of payment at hand with your checkbook and cancelled check
• There’s no requirement of a computer or phone to pay with a check
• Can be deposited via a mobile app without visiting a bank or ATM

Do people still use checks?

Checks are still used for gifting money, making purchases without your debit card and paying companies that don’t accept digital payments.^[9]

Despite the rise of digital transactions, cash and checks remain in use, with 46% of U.S. consumers having used a check for payment at least once over a 30-day period in 2022.^[10]

Although checks are used less frequently than other payment methods, some people still rely on them, with checks accounting for 4% of total U.S. transactions. ^[11]

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I forget the memo section?

A memo line is there for you to write the purpose of the check and is optional. It can be useful for your records but it isn’t a requirement.

Some companies may ask for your phone number or account number, the memo line can serve as a place to write that information.^[4]

How do you sign a check over to somebody else?

If you receive a check made out to you, there may be situations where you need to sign it over to somebody else to make a payment.

Reasons for signing over a check to somebody else could include paying for something, offering a gift, or getting help with cashing the check (if you are unable to use mobile banking or physically making it to the bank branch).

In which case, you may want to follow these general steps to signing over the check:^[12]

1. Choose the recipient: If the check is written out to you, you can sign over the check to an individual, group, or company but first ensure that the recipient is willing to accept the signed-over check.
2. Confirm the bank will accept: Before you sign over the check, be sure that the recipient’s bank will accept a signed over check.
3. Sign the back of the check: Endorsing the check requires you to sign the back of the check in black or blue ink. Sign your name on the signature line on the back of the check.
4. Add “Pay to the order of” and the recipient’s name: This step changes the payee from you, to the new recipient. In the current state, your name is in the payee field on the front of the check. In the endorsement area (on the back of the check) write “pay to the order of” followed by the new recipient’s name. This endorses the transfer of funds to the new recipient and your signature from step three serves as authorization.

Endorsed checks are also known as third-party checks and not all banks will accept them. A bank sets its own policy on whether to accept or reject third-party checks meaning that your endorsed check could be rejected,^[13] which would require you to use an alternative payment method such as transferring money or using a peer-to-peer payment app.^[13]

How quickly can I get money after depositing a check?

Generally, the time it takes to access funds from a deposited check depends on your bank or credit union’s rules, but there may be a maximum length of time a bank or credit union can make you wait.

• You could receive money from a deposited check for $200 or less as quickly as the next business day.
• If your deposit is a certified check, a check from another account at your bank or credit union, or a check from the government, you can withdraw or use the full amount the next business day, if you make the deposit in person to an employee at the bank.
• For checks over $200, the remaining amount (over the $200) is usually made available on the second business day.
• If deposited at your bank’s ATM, funds are typically available on the second business day.
• Banks have their own cut-off times (no earlier than 2 pm at branches and noon at ATMs), if you deposit the check after these times, it may be processed on the next business day.

Checks can take longer if you have a new account, made a deposit of over $5,000, made a deposit at an ATM owned by someone other than your bank or credit union, if you or your bank redeposit a check that been returned unpaid, or if the bank or credit union reasonably believes the deposited check may be uncollectible.^[14]

Sources

1. Federal Reserve. “Commercial Checks Collected Through the Federal Reserve” https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/check_commcheckcolannual.htm.
2. Experian. “How to Write a Check” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-write-a-check/.
3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Can a bank or credit union cash a post-dated check before the date on the check?” https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-a-bank-or-credit-union-cash-a-post-dated-check-before-the-date-on-the-check-en-967/.
4. Citizens Bank. “How to Write a Check” https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/how-to-write-check.aspx.
5. Experian. “How to Balance a Checkbook” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-balance-checkbook.
6. U.S. Bank. “Essential Tips for Preventing Check Fraud” https://www.usbank.com/financialiq/manage-your-household/protect-your-assets/essential-tips-for-preventing-check-fraud.html.
7. Experian. “What Is Check Fraud?” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-check-fraud/.
8. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “I received a check where the words and the numbers for the amount are different. Is this check valid, and for how much?” https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-received-a-check-where-the-words-and-the-numbers-for-the-amount-are-different-is-this-check-valid-and-for-how-much-en-945/.
9. Experian. “Do I Need Paper Checks Anymore?” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/do-i-need-paper-checks-anymore.
10. Atlanta Fed. “Consumer Payments Survey” https://www.atlantafed.org/-/media/documents/banking/consumer-payments/survey-diary-consumer-payment-choice/2022/sdcpc_2022_report.pdf.
11. Marketplace. “Why Do We Still Use Paper Checks?” https://www.marketplace.org/2024/01/05/why-do-we-still-use-paper-checks/.
12. Chase. "How to Sign Over a Check." https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/how-to-sign-over-a-check.
13. HelpWithMyBank.gov. “How Should I Endorse a Check to Cash It?” https://helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/bank-accounts/check-writing-cashing/endorsing-checks/check-endorse-cash.html.
14. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “How quickly can I get money after I deposit a check into my checking account? What is a deposit hold?” https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-quickly-can-i-get-money-after-i-deposit-a-check-into-my-checking-account-what-is-a-deposit-hold-en-1023/.

About the author

Becca has over 10 years of experience as a content writer, working across various industries including finance, digital marketing, education, travel, and technology. Her work has been featured in publications including Forbes, Business Insider, AOL, Yahoo, GOBankingRates, and more.

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