For example, write “monthly rent” to help keep track of rent expenses. An image of the check is available in online and mobile banking. Whether you have never written a check or you’re in need of a refresher, learn how to write a check and properly fill out each field. Understanding the basics of check writing is as easy as 1-2-3.
That’s one reason why it’s important to only write checks for amounts you have the money to cover as soon as you’ve written the check. Writing a check may seem like an old-school skill you don’t need anymore. But there are times when paying by check is required or preferred, such as paying rent or sending a gift to a family member through the mail.
The Best Places to Save Money and Earn Interest
Take a photo with your Smart Phone and upload it through the mobile app. Add the date of when you wrote the check on the line at the top right-hand corner. This is important so the bank and the person you are giving the check to knows when you wrote it.
How to Write a Check for a Joint Account
Before you start writing and using paper checks, you need to be able to identify the sections of a check. There are three important numbers whose locations are similar on every printed check. Figure 12 below illustrates how we wrote the payment amount in cents both as a number and in words on our check. For this example, we want to pay our dog groomer, Amanda Lee, using a personal check for a total of $78.26. Next, we are ready to add a dollar amount to our check, which means that we are ready to complete steps three and four.
Writing a check to yourself is another way to withdraw cash from your bank account or transfer money between accounts. While there are more efficient ways to withdraw money from the bank, writing a check to yourself is an option. Postdating is when you write in a future date with the idea that the person who’s cashing the check will wait until that date or later.
How to Deposit a Check
This leaves no space for anyone to add any extra numbers. The cost of checks varies depending on where you order them and whether you go with a basic personal check or a more personalized check design. Once you’ve filled out your check, you’d mail it and other required documents to the address provided by ABC Electric. Writing a check isn’t tricky, but there are things to keep in mind to ensure the check will be valid. Start by writing out the date in the upper-right corner of your check. Most times, you’ll probably use the date that you are writing the check.
Check costs may vary depending on the supplier and the style of check ordered. Apps such as Venmo and Cash App and your smartphone’s built-in digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay can all be good options for sending money instead of having to write a check. Zelle, a money transfer service that’s built into most banking apps, is also a great way to send money electronically. Just make sure that you’re sending money to the right person since it may be impossible to get your money back if it goes to the wrong recipient. In fact, knowing how to write a check remains a necessary life skill that everyone should learn.
Having insufficient funds will cause checks to « bounce, » which means they can’t be cashed and may result in insufficient fund fees. Use the full, complete name of the party that will cash the check. If it’s someone you haven’t paid before, verify what name to use. A local plumber, for instance, might need the check made out to the business they work for instead of their personal name.
How to Endorse a Check
If you don’t know the exact name, you can write “cash” here. Be aware that if a check is made out to cash, anyone can cash or deposit it. These days, many consumers send money electronically, but on occasion it may still be necessary to pay by paper check. Checks can be ordered from banks or third-party printers.
- Finally, we covered the uses of a void check and how to write a void check if necessary.
- When it comes to writing a check in cents, you have to first write the payment amount (with cents included) in the box next to the $ sign.
- However, if you mail cash and the payment is lost, you are out of luck (and money!).
- Use the small box to the right to indicate your payment amount in dollars and cents numerically (i.e. $130.45).
- Yes, you can, but it’s not a good idea since someone else could cash it if it fell into the wrong hands.
Yes, you can, but it’s not a good idea since someone else could cash it if it fell into the wrong hands. If you still really want to write a check for cash, you write “Cash” as the payee in the “Pay to the Order of” line on the check. After you are sure everything is correct and filled out properly you sign the check on the signature line. It’s important to start at the left of the box, right after the $ sign.
Business services
With the rise of digital payment methods, writing checks has become less common, but it is still essential to know how to fill one out correctly in case the need ever arises. By following the steps outlined above and double-checking all of the information you’ve written out, you can make sure that your check payments will be processed accurately and securely. You don’t have to go through your bank or credit union to order checks. There are third-party businesses that sell checks online.
Figure 06 below shows our example debits and credits quiz and test check with an authorized signature. Figure 04 below shows how this fourth step was completed on our sample check. Next, directly below the line where you wrote the name of the recipient, you will see another blank line. Knowing how to write a check is an important life skill that every person should know how to do.
Then, either let the teller know what you would like to do with the check or fill out a deposit slip. For example, If the check is written out to “Jane and John Doe,” both parties must endorse the check. However, if the check is made out to “Jane or John Doe,” then either party can endorse the check. For an added level of security, wait until right before you are ready to deposit the check to add your signature. Bank reconciliation, or balancing your checkbook, can help you track checks and other transactions each month.