The basic order: date, payee, amount, signature

A check has six blanks you need to fill in, and they go in a specific order. Start with the date in the top right corner. Write the payee name (the person or business getting the money) on the line that says "Pay to the order of." Write the dollar amount twice: once in the box on the right side, and once spelled out on the long line below the payee. Sign your name on the bottom right. That's the complete check.

The order matters because banks process checks in a standard way. If you skip a field or fill it in the wrong place, the check may be rejected or delayed. Chase will not cash a check without a signature, and most recipients will not accept one without a clear payee name and amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Write the date in the top right, the payee name on the "Pay to the order of" line, and your signature on the bottom right.
  • The dollar amount must appear twice: as a number in the box and spelled out on the line below the payee.
  • Use a pen, not a pencil, and write clearly so the bank and recipient can read every field.
  • Do not post-date checks (write a future date) unless the recipient has agreed to it, because Chase may cash it early.

Where each field goes and what to write

The top right corner holds the date. Write it in the format your bank shows on the check stub — usually MM/DD/YYYY. If you are writing a check today, use today's date. Do not leave it blank.

The line labeled "Pay to the order of" is where you write the recipient's name. Use the full legal name of the person or business. If you are paying a company, write the company name exactly as they list it on their invoices or website. If you are paying a person, their first and last name is enough. Leave no blank space after the name — some people draw a line to fill the gap and prevent someone from adding extra words.

The box on the right side of the check, usually marked with a dollar sign, is for the numeric amount. Write the number in dollars and cents: for example, $150.25. Do not use commas. If the amount is a whole dollar, you can write $150.00 or $150 — both are acceptable.

The long line below the payee name is for the amount spelled out in words. Write "One hundred fifty and 25/100 dollars" for $150.25. Use the word "and" before the cents, and write the cents as a fraction over 100. If the amount is a whole dollar, write "One hundred fifty and 00/100 dollars" or "One hundred fifty dollars." This line protects against fraud — if the numeric and written amounts do not match, the bank will reject the check.

The signature line at the bottom right is where you sign your name. Use the same signature you registered with Chase when you opened the account. A check without a signature is not valid and will be returned.

What to use and what to avoid

Write in pen, not pencil. Pencil can be erased, which creates a security risk. Chase and the recipient's bank will reject a check that shows signs of alteration. Black or blue ink is standard and easiest for banks to scan.

Write clearly and large enough to read. If your handwriting is small or hard to read, print instead. Banks use optical scanners to read checks, and if the scanner cannot read a field, the check will be sent back for manual review, which delays payment by several days.

Do not cross out mistakes and write over them. If you make an error, void that check (write "VOID" across the front in large letters) and start over with a fresh check. A corrected check may be rejected by Chase or the recipient's bank.

Post-dating and when not to do it

A post-dated check has a future date written on it — for example, you write today's date as January 15 but put January 20 on the check. Some people use post-dated checks to delay payment until money arrives in their account. This is risky. Chase may cash the check before the date you wrote, leaving your account overdrawn. Federal law does not require banks to honor the date on a personal check.

If you need to delay a payment, contact the recipient and ask them to wait. If they agree to accept a post-dated check, tell them the exact date and ask them to confirm they will not deposit it early. Even then, keep enough money in your account to cover the check in case it is cashed early.

Memo line and what it is for

Most checks have a small line in the bottom left corner labeled "Memo." This field is optional. Write a note here to remind yourself or the recipient what the check is for — for example, "Rent for January" or "Invoice #5432." The memo line does not affect whether the check clears; it is purely for record-keeping.

The recipient will see the memo, so keep it brief and professional. Do not write anything that could be confused with payment instructions or account numbers.

Common mistakes that cause checks to bounce or get rejected

Leaving the date blank or writing an illegible date will cause the bank to reject the check. Some banks will not process a check with a date more than six months in the past, so if you are writing a check from an old checkbook, verify the date is current.

Writing the payee name unclearly or incompletely is another frequent problem. If you write "John S." instead of "John Smith," the recipient may not be able to deposit it. If you write a company name wrong, the recipient's bank may reject it. Always use the full, correct name.

Mismatching the numeric and written amounts is a red flag for fraud. If you write $150 in the box but spell out "One hundred sixty dollars," the check will be rejected. Double-check both amounts before you sign.

Forgetting to sign the check is the most common error. A blank signature line means the check is not valid. Chase will not cash it, and neither will anyone else.

What happens after you hand over the check

Once the recipient deposits or cashes the check, it goes to their bank. Their bank sends it to a clearing house, which routes it to Chase. Chase verifies that your account has enough money to cover it, then deducts the amount from your balance. This process usually takes one to three business days, though it can be faster if both banks are large and well-connected.

You can track the check in your Chase account online or through the mobile app. Look for the transaction in your checking account history. If the check has not cleared after five business days, contact the recipient to confirm they deposited it. If it has been longer than 30 days, the check may have been lost or rejected — contact Chase to investigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write a check for less than a dollar?

Yes, but most banks and recipients do not recommend it. The cost to process a check is higher than the amount you are sending. If you owe someone less than a dollar, pay them in cash or through a digital payment method like Venmo or a bank transfer.

What if I make a mistake after I have already signed the check?

Do not try to correct it. Write "VOID" in large letters across the front of the check and destroy it. Use a new check from your checkbook. Any alterations after you sign create legal and security problems.

Do I need to write anything in the memo line?

No, the memo line is optional. It is useful for your own records or to remind the recipient what the payment is for, but it is not required for the check to clear.

What if the recipient's name is a business with a long legal name?

Write the full legal name as it appears on their official documents or invoices. If it is very long and does not fit on the line, abbreviate only if the recipient has told you it is acceptable. When in doubt, ask the recipient how they want the check made out.

How long is a check valid after I write it?

Checks do not expire, but most banks will not cash a check that is more than six months old. If you write a check and the recipient does not deposit it for several months, contact them and ask them to cash it soon, or write a new check.