Writing a check step by step

A check is a written instruction to your bank to move money from your account to whoever you give it to. To write one, you fill in six pieces of information on the check itself: the date, the recipient's name, the dollar amount in numbers, the dollar amount in words, a memo line (optional), and your signature. Bank of America checks follow the standard layout used by nearly all U.S. banks, so the process is the same whether you're paying a person, a business, or a government agency.

The physical check itself comes from Bank of America when you open a checking account, or you can order more by logging into your online banking, calling 1-800-432-1000, or visiting a branch. Checks arrive in books of 25 or 50. Each check has your name, address, and account number pre-printed on it, along with your bank's routing number at the bottom left.

You do not need to use checks for most payments anymore—many people write only a handful per year. But checks are still the right tool when you need a paper trail, when the recipient doesn't accept digital payments, or when you're paying someone who doesn't have a bank account. Checks also clear more slowly than electronic transfers, which can be useful if you need a few extra days for funds to arrive in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Fill in the date, payee name, amount in numbers and words, memo, and your signature—all six fields must be completed for the check to clear.
  • Write the payee name on the "Pay to the Order of" line exactly as the recipient's name appears on their account or ID.
  • The dollar amount in numbers goes in the box on the right; the amount in words goes on the long line below the payee name, with "dollars" printed at the end.
  • Sign the check in the bottom right corner using the signature on file with your Bank of America account.
  • Order new checks through your Bank of America online banking, by phone, or at a branch; standard delivery takes one to two weeks.

Where each piece of information goes

The top right corner of the check has a blank line for the date. Write it in any standard format: 01/15/2025, January 15, 2025, or 1/15/25 all work. The date tells the recipient and your bank when you wrote the check. A check is valid for six months from the date written, though many businesses will refuse to cash a check older than 90 days.

Below the date line is the "Pay to the Order of" line. Write the recipient's name here—a person's full name, a business name, or both if you're paying a business owned by an individual. Use the exact name as it appears on the recipient's bank account or government ID. If the name is wrong, the bank may refuse to cash it, or the money may go to the wrong account. If you're unsure of the exact spelling, ask the recipient before you write the check.

To the right of the payee line is a box labeled with a dollar sign. Write the amount in numbers here: $150.00, $1,200.50, or $45.00. Include the cents, even if it's .00. This number must match the amount written in words on the line below, or the bank will reject the check.

On the long line below the payee name, write out the dollar amount in words. For $150.00, write "One Hundred Fifty and 00/100 dollars." For $1,200.50, write "One Thousand Two Hundred and 50/100 dollars." The word "dollars" is usually pre-printed at the end of this line. If the amount in words and the amount in numbers don't match, the bank will use the amount written in words—so accuracy matters.

The memo line is optional and appears below the payee line on the left side. Use it to note what the check is for: "Rent for January," "Invoice #4521," or "Medical bill." The memo is for your records and the recipient's reference; it doesn't affect how the check clears.

Sign the check in the bottom right corner using the same signature you have on file with Bank of America. An unsigned check will not clear. If your signature changes significantly, contact Bank of America to update your signature on file.

Common mistakes that delay or block payment

The most frequent error is mismatching the amount in numbers and the amount in words. If you write $100 in the box but "Fifty dollars" on the line, the bank will reject the check or use the written amount. Always double-check both before you hand it over.

Writing the payee name incorrectly is the second most common problem. If you write "John Smith" but the account is under "J. Smith" or "Jonathan Smith," the bank may refuse to cash it. Ask the recipient how their name appears on their account.

Forgetting to sign the check is an easy mistake that makes it worthless. The recipient will have to return it to you, and you'll have to sign and send it again, delaying payment by days.

Writing a check on an account with insufficient funds is not a mistake—it's a decision with consequences. Bank of America will return the check unpaid and charge you a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee, usually $35. The recipient will also be charged a fee by their bank, and you'll damage your relationship with them. If you're unsure whether you have enough money, check your available balance in your Bank of America app or online banking before you write the check.

Dating a check in the future (called post-dating) is legal, but many banks will cash it immediately anyway. Do not rely on post-dating to delay payment; use a scheduled transfer or bill pay instead if you need to time a payment.

How long a check takes to clear

Once you hand over a check, it typically takes three to five business days to clear—meaning the money leaves your account and arrives in the recipient's. The exact timeline depends on which banks are involved and whether the check is deposited in person or through mobile deposit.

If the recipient deposits your check at a Bank of America branch or ATM, it may clear faster than if they deposit it at a different bank. Mobile deposits (photographing the check with a phone app) usually take the same time as in-person deposits.

During weekends and federal holidays, the clock stops. A check deposited on Friday afternoon won't start clearing until Monday. If you need money to move faster, use a Bank of America transfer, ACH payment, or wire transfer instead—those move in hours or one business day.

Ordering checks from Bank of America

When you open a checking account, Bank of America sends you an initial book of checks at no charge. After that, you can order more through three channels: your online banking portal, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or in person at any Bank of America branch.

Online ordering is the fastest. Log in to your Bank of America account, go to the Checks section under Account Services, and select the style and quantity you want. Standard checks cost around $10 to $15 per book of 25, depending on the design. Delivery takes one to two weeks for standard orders.

If you need checks urgently, some Bank of America branches can print temporary checks on the spot, though this service is not available at all locations. Call your local branch to ask. You can also use a third-party check printer like Deluxe or Costco, which are often cheaper than Bank of America but take longer to deliver.

Bank of America also offers duplicate checks (a carbon copy stays in your book for your records) and checks with extra security features like watermarks. These cost more but provide a paper trail if you need to prove you wrote a check.

When to use a check instead of other payment methods

Checks are slower than electronic payments, so use them only when they're the right tool. Write a check when the recipient doesn't have a bank account or doesn't accept digital payments, when you need a physical record of payment, or when you're paying someone who prefers checks (many older adults and small businesses do).

For bills, use Bank of America's bill pay service instead—it's faster, free, and you can schedule payments in advance. For peer-to-peer transfers, use Zelle, which is built into Bank of America's app and moves money in minutes. For large payments or international transfers, use a wire transfer.

Checks are also useful when you want to delay payment slightly. Because checks take three to five days to clear, you can write a check today knowing the money won't leave your account until later in the week. This is not the same as post-dating; the recipient can cash it immediately, but the clearing timeline gives you a small buffer.

What to do if a check is lost, stolen, or not cashed

If you write a check and the recipient says they never received it, ask them to check their mail for another week. Checks can take time to arrive, especially if mailed. If it's been more than two weeks and they still haven't received it, you can stop payment on the check through Bank of America.

To stop payment, log into your Bank of America account, call 1-800-432-1000, or visit a branch. You'll need the check number, the amount, the payee name, and the date you wrote it. Bank of America charges a stop-payment fee, usually $30 to $35. Once you stop payment, the check will be rejected if anyone tries to cash it.

If a check is stolen or lost before you send it, stop payment immediately. If it's stolen after you send it but before the recipient cashes it, stop payment as soon as you know. If the check has already cleared, you cannot stop it—the money is gone. Contact Bank of America's fraud department if you believe the check was cashed fraudulently.

If you write a check and the recipient never cashes it, the money stays in your account indefinitely. There's no time limit on how long a recipient has to cash a check, though most banks will refuse checks older than six months. If you need to close the account and there's an uncashed check outstanding, contact the recipient and ask them to cash it or let you know they won't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write a check to myself?

Yes. Write your own name on the "Pay to the Order of" line and sign the check. You can then deposit it into another account at Bank of America or elsewhere. This is useful if you want to move money between your own accounts using a paper trail, though a transfer is faster.

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

Bank of America will return the check unpaid and charge you a non-sufficient funds fee, usually $35. The recipient's bank will also charge them a fee. The check will bounce, and the recipient will know the payment failed. Avoid this by checking your available balance before you write the check.

Can someone cash a check if my name is spelled wrong?

It depends on how wrong it is. A minor misspelling like "Jon" instead of "John" usually won't stop the bank from cashing it. A major error like writing the wrong name entirely will cause the check to be rejected. When in doubt, ask the recipient how their name appears on their account and write it exactly that way.

Do I need to use Bank of America checks, or can I use checks from another bank?

You must use checks printed for your Bank of America account. Checks are tied to your account number and routing number, which are pre-printed on them. Using someone else's checks or blank checks is not legal and will not work.

What's the difference between a check and a cashier's check?

A regular check is a promise from you to pay; the recipient takes the risk that your account might not have enough money. A cashier's check is may provide by the bank itself—Bank of America withdraws the money from your account immediately and issues a check backed by the bank's own funds. Cashier's checks cost $10 to $15 and are used for large payments where the recipient needs certainty. You can order one at any Bank of America branch.