Checks are still a popular way to pay, even as electronic payments become easier. Of the billions of checks written annually, some are paychecks, insurance benefits, and payments for benefits like Social Security—but many are personal checks.
What is a Personal Check?
Like all checks, personal checks are pieces of paper for making. To complete a payment, you fill in information about who you want to pay, provide the check to the payee, and your bank eventually sends money to the recipient’s account electronically. Personal checks pay from personal accounts—they don’t belong to businesses, governments, or other organizations.
How to Order Bank Checks
To write checks, you’ll need a stack of blank checks. Your first set of checks will most likely come from the bank when you open an account, but what do you do after you’ve used them all up? You can order more personal checks (typically for a fee), print your own checks and get fancy with new bank checks, such as photo checks.
How to Write a Check
- Write today’s date in the space in the upper right-hand corner. (Numbers only are OK.)
- On the “Pay to the Order Of” line, clearly print the name of the person or business you’re writing the check to.
- Write the numerical amount of the check in the small box.
- On the “DOLLARS” line, write out the amount again, in words:
- Cents are written as a fraction, such as 21/100 or no/100.
- To prevent tampering: If space remains, draw a line to fill out the space.
- Sign your name on the bottom right-hand line.
- The “MEMO” or “FOR” line can include:
- A reminder for you or your payee.
- Any requested info.
- Nothing (it’s OK to leave it blank).
- If you make a mistake, write “VOID” across the check and start a new one.
How to Deposit a Check
- Step 1: Endorse
- In the designated endorsement area on the back of the check, write:
- Your signature.
- “For deposit only” (to prevent anyone from cashing it).
- In the designated endorsement area on the back of the check, write:
- Step 2: Deposit
- You may be able to make a deposit electronically using your bank’s app.
- You may also make a deposit at your bank’s branch or ATM.
- The bank may require you to fill out a deposit slip, which you can get at your bank or find in the back of your book of checks.
- Help prevent check fraud
- Store your checkbook and extra checks in a secure location.
- Dispose of unused and cashed checks properly by shredding.
- Balance your checkbook and monitor your account regularly.
- Notify your bank immediately of any suspicious activity.
Parts of a Check
- Personal Information: Information about you/the owner
- Payee Line: Who the check is payable to
- Amount of your check: Written out amount in words
- Bank’s Contact Info: Information where your bank can be contacted
- Memo Line: Space for an unofficial note
- Banks Routing Number
- Your Account Number
- Signature Line
- Check Number: Found in two places on the check
- Your Banks fraction number
- Date Line
- Dollar Box: Amount written in numerical format
Author’s Verdict
After reading this post about understanding checks, we hope you gained valuable information. Applying the information you’ve gained from this post, you should be able to write out the perfect check with no problems.
If you’re interested in researching new banks, go through our posts about Best Bank Bonuses, Best Savings Account Rates, and Best Credit Card Bonuses. Be sure to soak in all this information when choosing the right bank for you!