Writing a Check

Look at the check below. You can fill it in following these steps.

• Follow These Steps
• Practice Writing A Check
• Numbers On Your Check
• Record it

Follow these steps

1. Enter the date in the blank in upper right corner. Include the month, the date, and the year. You can write out the date, January 4, 200X or you can use all numbers 01/04/0X

2. Write the name of the person or company you are paying on the Pay to the Order of blank. Get the spelling right.

3. To the right of the Pay to the Order of blank is a blank with a dollar sign. Using numbers, write the amount in dollars and cents. Be sure to clearly place the decimal point between the dollar numerals and the cents numerals. For example: $32.15.

4. The next line is used to confirm the amount of the check, just in case your handwriting is hard to read on the dollar-sign blank. In clear handwriting, write out the amount using words and fractions. Write out the dollar amount. Then add "and" followed by the cents amount written as a fraction. Put the cents in the numerator's position and 100 in the denominator's position. For example:

Thirty-two dollars and 15/100.

If you have any room left on the blank, draw a line to the end of the blank. That's so no one can add anything to what you've written on that blank.

5. The Memo line in the lower left hand corner is a reminder line. You can write "basketball shoes" on this line, for example.. If you write several checks to the same place, like a sporting goods store, this line helps you identify which check paid for shoes, which check paid for sweatbands and shorts, and which one bought socks and a sweatshirt. Memo lines help you stay organized.

6. The signature line, the line in the lower right corner of the check is where you write, not print, your name. Decide how you are going to sign your checks. This is a formal document, so you probably want to sign it Thomas or Amanda rather than Tom or Mandy. You may also want to use your middle initial: Jonathan W. Robertson. Once you decide on your signature, then sign the same way on all your checks. Your bank will keep your signature on file as a way to verify your signature on checks and other documents. You should always sign your name in the same way.

Practice Writing A Check

Okay, now write a check. Here's the information you will use. The check is in the amount of $27.83. You are paying for a pair of sale jeans at The Mart. The date is October 29, 200X.

Here are a few tips:

1. When entering the date, first delete the zeros in each of the three date sections. Then type in your date.
2. For all other blanks, simply type in your information.
3. For the signature, use a mouse and write your name on the signature line.

Numbers on your check

There's a long list of numbers printed at the bottom of your check. These numbers are used by electronic processing systems.

• The first group of numbers — routing numbers — identify your bank. They are used to process your check.
• The second set of numbers contains your checking account number. You'll find this number printed on your deposit slips too (located at the back of your packet of checks). You should memorize this number.
• The third set of numbers is the number of the check you just wrote.

Record it in your check register

Many banks offer duplicate checks, which means that after you tear out the check you've just written, a sort of tissue paper copy of the check remains in your checkbook. This is the duplicate check. Duplicate checks give you a record of all the checks you write. They can act as a handy record.

But whether or not you use duplicate checks, you should keep an up-to-date record of all the checks you have written in your check register. That way you always know how much money you have in your checking account.