The basic order for filling a check

Fill a Bank of America check in this order: date in the top right, payee name on the "Pay to the Order of" line, dollar amount in the box on the right, dollar amount written out on the long line below the payee, memo line (optional), and your signature on the bottom right. Write clearly in blue or black ink. Do not use pencil.

The check itself shows you where each piece goes. The numbers and lines are printed in the exact spots where the bank's machines will read them. If you write outside those spaces or make the information hard to read, the check may be rejected or delayed.

You do not need to fill every line. The date, payee, both dollar amounts, and your signature are required. The memo line is optional and is only for your own record-keeping—the bank does not use it to process the check.

Key Takeaways

  • Write the date in the top right corner in month/day/year format, and use the current date or a future date—never a past date.
  • Write the payee name (the person or business receiving the money) on the "Pay to the Order of" line, and spell it the way they have told you to spell it.
  • Write the dollar amount twice: once as a number in the box on the right side, and once as words on the long line below the payee name.
  • Sign the check on the bottom right line in the same way you signed your signature card when you opened your account.
  • If the two dollar amounts do not match, the bank will process the amount written in words, not the number.

Date: top right corner

Write the date in the top right corner of the check. Use the format month/day/year (for example, 01/15/2025). You can also write it out as "January 15, 2025" if you prefer, but numbers are faster and clearer.

Use today's date or a date in the future. Do not postdate a check (write a future date) unless the person you are paying has asked you to do so. Postdating does not prevent the check from being cashed early—the bank will process it whenever it arrives, regardless of the date you wrote.

If you make a mistake on the date, cross it out with a single line and write the correct date next to it. Do not use white-out or tape. A check with multiple corrections may be rejected.

Payee name: "Pay to the Order of" line

Write the name of the person or business that will receive the money on the line that says "Pay to the Order of." This is the only line where the payee name goes. Write it clearly and spell it the way the payee has told you to spell it.

If you are paying a business, use the legal name on their invoice or bill. If you are paying a person, use their full name. Do not abbreviate unless they have told you to. If you write "John Smith" but the check is made out to "J. Smith," the payee may have trouble depositing it.

Leave no blank space between "Pay to the Order of" and the name. If there is a gap, someone could write in a different name and cash the check. Write the name starting right after the line ends.

Dollar amount: the number and the words

Write the dollar amount in two places. First, write it as a number in the small box on the right side of the check (for example, $150.00). Second, write it as words on the long line below the payee name (for example, "One Hundred Fifty and 00/100").

For the written-out amount, write the dollar amount in words and the cents as a fraction over 100. If the check is for $150 and no cents, write "One Hundred Fifty and 00/100." If it is for $150.50, write "One Hundred Fifty and 50/100." Do not write the dollar sign when you spell out the amount.

If the number amount and the written amount do not match, the bank will process the amount written in words. For example, if you write $200 in the box but "One Hundred Fifty and 00/100" on the line, the check will be processed for $150. Always make sure both amounts are the same.

Memo line: optional notes for yourself

The memo line is a small line near the bottom left of the check. You can write a note here to remind yourself what the check was for—for example, "Rent for January" or "Car insurance." The bank does not use this line to process the check, and the payee does not have to read it.

The memo line is entirely optional. If you do not write anything there, the check will still work. If you do write something, keep it short and clear.

Your signature: bottom right line

Sign the check on the bottom right line. Use the same signature you signed on your signature card when you opened your Bank of America account. The bank compares your signature on the check to the one on file to verify the check is genuine.

Do not print your name or use initials. Sign in cursive or your normal handwriting. If your signature on the check looks very different from the one on your signature card, the bank may reject the check or contact you to confirm it is real.

Never sign a blank check. Always fill in the payee name and dollar amount before you sign. If you sign a blank check and it is lost or stolen, someone else can fill in their own name and amount and cash it.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

If you make a small error, cross it out with a single line and write the correction next to it. Initial the change. Do not use white-out, tape, or erasers—these make the check look altered and banks may reject it.

If you make a major mistake (for example, you wrote the wrong payee name or the wrong amount), tear up the check and start over with a new one. Do not try to fix large errors. If you have already written checks in a sequence and you void one, write "VOID" across the front of that check in large letters and keep it with your records.

If you write a check and then realize you do not have enough money in your account to cover it, contact your bank right away. A check that bounces (is returned unpaid) can result in overdraft fees and may damage your relationship with the payee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a checkbook?

You can order checks from Bank of America through your online banking account or by calling customer service. You can also order checks from third-party printers. Checks usually arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you need a check urgently, ask your bank whether they can print one for you at a branch.

Can I write a check to myself?

Yes. Write your own name on the "Pay to the Order of" line and fill in the amount. You can then deposit this check into another account or cash it at a Bank of America branch. This is sometimes used to move money between accounts or to get cash.

What happens if I write a check for more money than I have in my account?

The check will bounce (be returned unpaid). Your bank will charge you an overdraft fee, and the payee will not receive the money. The payee may also charge you a fee for the returned check. Contact your bank and the payee as soon as you realize the mistake.

Do I need to write anything on the back of the check?

Only if you are depositing the check into your own account. Write "For Deposit Only" followed by your account number on the back. If someone else is cashing or depositing the check, they will sign the back. Do not sign the back of a check you are giving to someone else.

How long is a check good for?

A check is generally good for six months from the date you write it. After six months, a bank may refuse to cash it. If the payee has not cashed the check after six months, contact them to see if they still need it or if you should write a new one.