Writing a check requires filling in six areas: the date, the payee name, the numerical dollar amount, the written dollar amount, the memo line, and your signature. Miss any one of these or fill it in incorrectly, and the check could be rejected, delayed, or altered by someone else. Here’s how to complete each field so your payment goes through cleanly.
The Six Fields on Every Check
Before you start writing, it helps to know the layout. Personal checks follow a standard format regardless of the bank that issued them. In the top right corner you’ll find a space for the date. The “Pay to the Order of” line sits in the upper middle area and is where you name the recipient. To the right of that is a small box for the numerical dollar amount. Below the payee line is a longer line where you write the dollar amount in words. The bottom left has a memo line, and the bottom right has a signature line.
The bottom edge of the check contains a string of numbers printed in magnetic ink. These are your bank’s routing number, your account number, and the check number. You don’t need to write anything there.
Step 1: Write the Date
Use the current date in the top right corner. The standard format is month/day/year (for example, 06/15/2025 or June 15, 2025). Using today’s date is the safest approach. Postdating a check, meaning writing a future date, doesn’t reliably prevent a bank from processing it early, so don’t rely on it as a timing strategy.
Step 2: Fill In the Payee
On the “Pay to the Order of” line, write the full legal name of the person or organization you’re paying. For a business, use the official company name rather than a nickname or abbreviation. If you’re paying an individual, use their first and last name. If you’re unsure of the exact name a company expects, ask before writing the check. A mismatched payee name can cause problems when the recipient tries to deposit it.
Step 3: Enter the Dollar Amount in Numbers
In the small box to the right of the payee line, write the exact payment amount using numerals. Always include cents, even when the amount is a round number. A check for twenty dollars should read $20.00, not just $20. Start writing as close to the dollar sign as possible so no one can squeeze extra digits in front of your number.
Step 4: Write the Dollar Amount in Words
This is the line most people find tricky. You need to spell out the same dollar amount in words on the long line below the payee’s name. If the numerical box and the written amount ever conflict, banks typically honor the written version, so accuracy here matters most.
For a check of $105.50, you would write “One hundred five dollars and 50/100.” The fraction format for cents is the most widely accepted style: write the cents as a number over 100. You can also write it out fully as “one hundred five dollars and fifty cents,” though the fraction method is more common and harder to tamper with.
For a round dollar amount like $200.00, write “Two hundred dollars and 00/100” or “Two hundred dollars only.” Adding “only” or the 00/100 signals there are no additional cents and discourages anyone from adding to the amount.
After you finish writing the amount, draw a line through any remaining blank space on that line. This prevents someone from adding extra words to inflate the value.
Step 5: Add a Memo (Optional but Useful)
The memo line in the bottom left corner is technically optional, but it’s worth using. Write a brief note explaining what the payment is for: “June rent,” “Invoice #4821,” or “Piano lessons.” This helps both you and the recipient match the check to the right transaction. Some payees, like utility companies or government agencies, may ask you to write an account number on this line so they can apply your payment correctly.
Step 6: Sign the Check
Sign on the line in the bottom right corner using the same signature your bank has on file. A check without a signature is invalid and will not be processed. This is the last step for a reason: don’t sign a check until every other field is filled in. A signed blank check in the wrong hands is essentially a blank withdrawal from your account.
Protecting Your Check From Fraud
Check washing is a type of fraud where someone erases the ink on a stolen check and rewrites it for a different amount or payee. A few habits reduce your risk significantly.
Use a gel ink pen (not ballpoint) when writing checks. Gel ink soaks into paper fibers and is much harder to wash away with chemicals. Start writing as far left as possible on every line, and fill remaining blank space with a line so no one can add characters. Keep your checks in a secure location and never leave outgoing mail containing checks in an unsecured mailbox overnight. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends depositing outgoing mail in blue collection boxes before the last scheduled pickup or dropping it off directly at your local post office.
How to Void a Check
If you make a mistake while writing a check, the cleanest fix is to void it and start fresh. Write the word “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check. This signals to anyone who handles it that it should not be processed as a payment. You don’t need to tear it up or black out every field, just make the word clearly visible so there’s no ambiguity.
Voided checks are also commonly requested by employers or billers to set up direct deposit or automatic payments. They use the routing and account numbers printed at the bottom to link your bank account. When you hand over a voided check for this purpose, the “VOID” marking ensures no one can also use it as a live payment.
Keep a record of any check you void. Write down the check number and the reason in your check register or banking app so you can reconcile your records later.
Endorsing a Check You Receive
When someone writes a check to you, you’ll need to endorse it before depositing or cashing it. Flip the check over and sign your name on the top line of the endorsement area, which is usually marked with a small “x” or the words “Endorse here.” Sign using the name that appears on the front of the check as the payee.
If you’re depositing the check through your bank’s mobile app, many banks now require you to write “For mobile deposit only” beneath your signature, sometimes along with your account number. Check your bank’s specific instructions, because a check deposited without the correct endorsement language may be rejected or delayed.
Don’t endorse a check until you’re ready to deposit it. A check signed on the back with no restrictions could be cashed by anyone who gets their hands on it.
Recording the Payment
After you write a check, record it immediately. Note the check number, the date, the payee, and the amount in your check register or budgeting app. Because checks can take days or even weeks to be cashed, it’s easy to forget about the money you’ve committed and accidentally overdraw your account. Keeping a running record ensures you always know your true available balance, not just the number your bank app shows before the check clears.