To write a U.S. personal check, fill in the date, payee, amount in numerals, the matching amount in words, and your signature. The memo line is optional. Complete and review the check before signing it, and never sign a blank check.
How to fill out each part of a check
Check layouts vary by bank, but these fields are common on U.S. personal checks. Use the printed labels on your check if their positions differ.
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Date
Write the date you are completing the check on the date line, usually at the upper right. A current date lets the recipient present it without waiting for a future date. Postdating may not prevent early presentment; handling can vary, so ask your bank before relying on it. Chase’s check-writing guide explains the usual date field.
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Payee
On the “Pay to the order of” line, write the name of the person or business you intend to pay. Check the spelling and use the name the recipient expects. Avoid making a check payable to “cash”: it can be easier for someone other than the intended recipient to use, so do not use that wording unless you understand the risk.
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Amount in numerals
Enter the amount in the box, including cents—for example, $20.00. Write legibly and begin close to the printed dollar sign when the layout allows, leaving less room for someone to add digits.
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Amount in words
Write the same amount on the line beneath the payee. For $20.50, you could write “Twenty and 50/100 dollars” or “Twenty dollars and fifty cents.” If there is unused space after the amount, draw a line through it where appropriate. If the written and numeric amounts do not match, contact the payee or your bank rather than assuming which amount will be used.
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Memo (optional)
Use the memo line for a brief note to help identify the payment, such as “June rent.” Do not put sensitive information such as your Social Security number, driver’s-license number, credit-card details, or phone number on the check.
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Signature
Sign on the signature line only after you have checked the payee and both amounts. Your signature authorizes payment from the associated account when the check is presented for deposit or cashing. A signed but incomplete check leaves key details open to alteration.
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After writing the check, record it in your check register or another tracking method and keep enough funds available. Review your account activity and reconcile it against your records; fees and the timing of balance changes depend on your account and bank. See Chase’s guide to writing a check for a basic overview.
How to reduce check-fraud risk
Use ink and fill the available space
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises: “If you must write a check, use black permanent marker or black gel ink, which is harder for fraudsters to remove.” The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency likewise recommends black gel pens, while cautioning that this does not prevent all check fraud. A black gel pen for writing checks is a practical option, not a guarantee of protection. Fill in the payee and amount fields with little unused space. CFPB check-fraud guidance and the OCC’s advice on check washing explain these precautions.
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Choose a payment method the recipient accepts
When deciding whether to use a paper check or an electronic or mobile payment, consider whether the recipient accepts it, how quickly it can be processed, the records it creates, potential fraud exposure, and any fees. The FBI advises considering e-check, ACH, or mobile payments as alternatives, but a recipient or transaction may not support them. The FBI’s 2025 mail-theft alert discusses check-fraud risks and alternatives.
Take care when mailing a check
If you must mail one, use a secure postal drop and follow up with the payee to confirm receipt. Review account activity and check images when your bank makes them available. The FBI recommends reporting suspected mail-theft fraud to law enforcement and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
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What to know if you receive an unexpected check
Be cautious if someone you do not know sends you a check and asks you to return an overpayment, forward part of the money, or pay a fee to claim a prize. A deposit appearing in your account does not prove the check is genuine or finally paid; fake checks can take weeks to be identified, and the bank may remove the funds later. Do not use the money to send a wire transfer, buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency, or pay a supposed prize fee. Follow the FTC’s guidance on spotting and reporting fake-check scams.
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