Every student should know how to write a check. It’s important to learn how to fill out checks to better manage your finances, even with the abundance of digital payment methods available today. Writing a check can be challenging for students, and many just don’t know where to start or if the format is right. In this guide, we are going to walk you through how to write a check step by step with practical tips, specific hacks that make you not forget any element, and our best-working recommendations that will simplify your life.
What is a Check?
It’s a signed, written, and dated document that orders a bank to pay a particular amount of money from a person’s account to another party. If the data set contains mistakes, you can have problems with transactions. That’s why writing checks correctly is so important.
The first thing you should know is what key elements checks include:
- Payee: The individual or company you are paying.
- Date: The date that the check is written.
- Amount: The numerical and written amount of the check.
- Signature: Your signature to authorize the payment.
Besides, you need to know where to put this information. If you need to elaborate on these terms and make sure you put everything in the right place, an AI writing assistant like JustDone app can help you with this specific type of content.
How To Write A Check in 6 Steps
Writing a check is straightforward, but it requires attention to detail. We recommend a hack not to forget the structure of a check. The secret is in the word DAMPER, in which each letter reflects the six parts of a check.
D - Date – The date the check is issued. Add the date of when you wrote the check on the line at the top right-hand corner. This is important so that the bank and the person you are giving the check to know when you wrote it.
A - Amount – This is the amount of money to be paid to the Payee. Use the small box to the right to indicate your payment amount in dollars and cents numerically (i.e. $135.56).
M - Maker – A signature of the person responsible for the amount shown above. Signatures are crucial, so don’t forget to add them.
P - Payee – This is the person getting the money written in the Amount Box. Find the “Pay to the order of” field and write the recipient’s full name. It’s important to write this clearly and accurately.
E - Endorsement – This is a signature of the person cashing or receiving the amount in the box. Sign your name on the line at the bottom right-hand corner. Typically, a check cannot be deposited or cashed without your signature.
R - Routing Number – Identifies the bank the check belongs to.
Take each of these 6 steps carefully, and your check will be successful. You can also rely on our tool JustDone to make sure all your checks are right.
3 Common Check Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Even if you’re an experienced check writer, you do need to pay attention to details. Here are some tips to avoid the most common mistakes:
- Ensuring all sums match: The two amounts, the numerical amount and the written amount, should be identical.
- No blank spaces: All fields should be completely filled to avoid fraud.
- Verify the payee’s name: Check that the payee’s name is spelled correctly so as not to hold up payment.
If you want more ideas on financial literacy, the JustDone app can help you improve your content and check writing accuracy.
Finishing Off Your Check
So, writing a check is not rocket science, although it is challenging and needs accuracy. Even if you've done it before, you should be attentive to details so as not to miss any important information. Follow this guide, you can avoid all common pitfalls and remind yourself you are not alone - our writing assistant JustDone is there to help. With knowledge on how to write a check, you are now ready to handle your finances like a pro!
