Technology has greatly improved the way the world banks now. Directly from your home, you can bank from anywhere using internet banking or mobile banking. But some traditional banking methods remain an example is writing a check. This is one of the oldest banking methods and instruments. The use of checks is still a legal tender payment method. However, in this article, we will teach you how to fill out a check or how to write a check.
Due to the use of electronic payment methods like debit or credit cards and auto drafts, the need for checks has become less important. About 80% of people around the world have no idea how to write a check. But the use of checks is still used for rendering payments to people. When filling out a check, there are important things to take note of, because an error made on a check can prevent you from checking out the check.
The procedure on how to write out a check is very simple. All you need to do is follow the instruction provided below on how to write a check for someone or yourself.
Things You Must Know First
Before starting the process of writing a check, need to identify some important sections on the check. These include three important numbers located at the bottom of the check which are printed on every check.
- Bank routing number: all banks are identified through their routing number. It comprises nine numbers and is located at the bottom of the check which is the first number.
- Account number: this has to do with your individual checking account number which usually appears in the middle of the three numbers.
- Check number: all checks are been numbered and you can find it at the top of the check and also at the bottom after the account number.
Now you have an idea of what the three numbers represent on a check, you can check out the following step to write a check.
How to Write a Check
Many businesses and consumers send money electronically through internet banking and other means, but checks are still used as a legal tender for payment. However, checks can be ordered from various means such as banks or third-party printers. Here is the step-by-step guide to filling out a check:
Step 1: Date the check
Locate the date section at the top right-hand corner and fill out the current date. The use of “date” helps in notifying the financial institution and the recipient of the validity of the check. The date can be written in different forms either 3/10/2023 or March 10, 2023.
Step 2: Who is this check for?
This also means writing the name of the payee. The section that says “Pay to the order of” is where you fill out the name of the person or company you want to pay, known as the payee. Ensure that you write the full name of the person or company and not the use of a nickname.
You can also write “cash” as the payee if you don’t know the person’s name or the company’s name. Note, the use of “cash” as the payee can be risky because anyone can cash the check if lost or stolen.
Step 3: Write the dollar amount in numbers
Two sections indicate where you can write the amount you want to pay. The first is the small box locate at the right of the line for the recipient’s name. Write the amount numerically, for example, $300 or $300.75 in the small box.
Please make sure that you write it very clearly so that the bank can accurately withdraw the exact amount from your account.
Step: 4 Write the dollar amount in words
The next thing is to write the dollar amount in words on the line below “Pay to the order of” and make sure it corresponds with the numerical amount.
Here is how to write the dollar amount in words and also how to write cents on the check, “three hundred dollars only.” If you want to add cents to the amount, write it like this “three hundred and 75/100.”
Step 5: Write a memo
Fill out the section that says “Memo”, this is optional but helpful in indicating the reason for writing the check. The way to write a memo is by writing the reason for the check, for example, if it’s to pay for a monthly electric bill or rent, you can simply write “Electric Bill” or “Monthly Rent” in the memo section.
Step 6: Sign the check
Finally, sign the check by signing your name on the line at the check’s bottom right-hand corner. Keep in mind your signature must correspond with the one you used when you opened the checking account. Your signature shows the validity of the check to the bank that you agree to the cashing out of the check.
FAQs
How do you void a check?
Voiding a check simply implies that you will be making the check unpayable to anyone. Voiding a check comes into play when you make a mistake filling it out, it is a way of canceling a check. Also. Sometimes a voided check can be used to set up direct deposit or set up automatic bill pay. To void a check, just write the word “VOID” in giant letters across the front of the check.
Can you write a check to yourself?
Yes, it’s possible to wire a check to yourself and also deposit it in an ATM, branch, or using a mobile banking app. All you need to do is follow the process outlined above, where you are needed to put a “Pay to the Order of” you can put your name on the check.
How do you write $100 dollars on a check?
To write an $100 check, you can write “100.00” and in the dollar line write “one hundred and 0/100.
How to write a check for $1,500 dollars?
To write a check for $1,500 dollars all you need to do is write “1,500.00” in the dollar box and in the dollar line write “one thousand, five hundred and 0/100.”
