How to Write a Check in 6 Easy Steps

Every check needs to be dated, using the designated space in the upper right-hand corner. You need to write the month, date, and year in that space, either in words – October 25, 2023 – or numerals – 10/25/2023. Experts recommend using the four-digit year, to deter possible date tampering. Unlike electronic payments, the check date is not the date the recipient will be paid, but instead it starts the clock running for available payment. Six months after that written date, personal checks are considered “stale dated” and therefore void, though some banks or credit unions may honor the check after six months.¹

However, take note: While it was once a common practice to “post-date” a check, using a future date to prevent someone from cashing the check before then, banks are not required to check the date, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.² Some states require them to do so, but only when you notify the bank in advance not to cash a particular check until a certain date.

Every check has a preprinted line that begins “Pay to the Order of.” That’s where you’ll write in the name of the person or business you’re paying. Though straightforward, you may have to check on the exact payee name. Often, businesses will indicate who to make checks payable to on their invoices. The payee, or multiple payees, must endorse the check in order to present it for payment. If there are multiple payees, you’ll want to intentionally choose between “and” or “or” – in the first case, they all must sign but in the second only one is necessary.

You can also write out a check to “Cash,” meaning anyone who has the check can immediately receive cash when they deposit it at the bank. But this can be risky, especially if the check falls into unintended hands.

When writing a check, you’ll fill out the amount twice – once numerically and once in words. There is a box on the right side of the check, under the date, to write the amount of the check in numbers. Typically, the box has a pre-printed dollar sign ($), so you don’t need to write that. When writing out the amount, carry the number out to two decimals, using proper currency punctuation like commas and periods – for example, 1,234.00.

Check fraud happens sometimes. And when it does, it’s often because the amount has been changed. To help avoid this, start your numerical amount up against the left-hand side of the box, and add a dash if there is leftover space in the box to the right of the numerals.

Below the payee is a long line that ends with the pre-printed word “Dollars.” That’s where you will write out the amount of the check using words. It’s important to do this step correctly, because in the event there is some discrepancy between the numerical amount and the written amount, banking rules accept the written amount as correct.

If you’re paying $100.50, start at the left side of the line and write “One hundred and 50/100.” If there are no cents, it’s still important to write “and no cents,” or “00/100,” for clarity. You don’t need to write the word “dollars” since it’s preprinted at the end of the line. Some additional examples:

• $220.75 is written as “Two hundred twenty and 75/100.”
• $1,000 is written as “One thousand and no cents” or “One thousand and 00/100.”
• $1,123.25 is written as “One thousand one hundred twenty-three and 25/100” or “Eleven hundred twenty-three and 25/100.”
• $0.95 is written as “Zero and 95/100.”

You may notice that the line for the written value is the longest one on the check, and you might need all that space. If you don’t, experts advise filling in any leftover space with a dash that is as long as you need to reach the pre-printed word “Dollars” at the end.

In the bottom left- hand side of the check, you’ll find a blank line with the word “Memo” at the beginning. This space is optional, typically used to add a note to help the recipient know, or remind your future self, what the check is for, like “November rent” or “invoice #1234.” 

A check is considered correctly written even with a blank memo line. Interestingly, the memo line is the only place on the front of a check where it is acceptable for someone other than you to write something. Often, businesses will write in an invoice number on your memo line when they are processing your check.                  

Banks are not required to honor an unsigned check, so this step is critically important when writing out a check. In fact, unsigned checks are often flagged by banks for potential fraud.  Sign your check on the line at the bottom right using the form of your name that matches the name on your checking account, including middle initials or suffixes like “Jr.” for junior. Prefixes like Mr. or Ms. are not used.

On the flip side, an otherwise blank check that only has your signature gives the holder of that check unlimited access to funds in your checking account. So, signing should be the final step when writing a check, after all the other information has been completed.

The tips below can help you confidently manage writing a check while minimizing potential security risks.

• Keep track of the checks you write: Some people keep track of checks in a check register or spreadsheet, noting the check number, amount, date, purpose, etc. If you prefer to manage banking on a mobile device, be sure to check your transaction history to ensure the checks you write are debited from your account in a timely manner. Either way, you’ll want to follow up to be certain your check reached the intended destination, especially if you sent it via mail.
• Write clearly: Banks may fail to process checks that are illegible, so it’s important to fill out each section of the check clearly and accurately.
• Double-check the details: Before you sign a check, be sure to double-check the date, amounts, and payee. If any of these fields are incorrect or blank, it could mean your money won’t get to the intended recipient in a timely manner or worse, it may open you up to check tampering.
• Use the right pen: Pencils or certain types of pens could be erased or washed off a check by a fraudster looking to change the payee or amount. Using a gel ink pen decreases the chances of someone else being able to tamper with what you’ve written.
• Dispose of old checks responsibly: Shred or otherwise destroy old checks before getting rid of them in the trash.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of check tampering or fraud, it’s important to let your bank know immediately and involve law enforcement if necessary.