The basic order: date, payee, amount, signature

A check has six blanks you need to fill in, and they must be completed in a specific order or the bank will reject it. Start with the date in the top right corner. Write the month, day, and year in the format your bank expects — most commonly MM/DD/YYYY, though some regions use DD/MM/YYYY. If you post-date a check (write a future date), the recipient can still cash it early, so only do this if you have a specific agreement with them.

Next, write the recipient's name on the "Pay to the order of" line. Use the exact legal name if you know it — a business name, a person's full name, or both if the check is going to a company and you want to name a specific person. If you make a mistake here, draw a single line through it, write the correction above it, and initial the change. Do not use correction fluid or tape; banks will not accept it.

Fill in the dollar amount twice: once in the box on the right side (in numerals, like $1,234.56) and once in words on the long line below the payee name (like "One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and 56/100"). The written amount is the legal amount if the two disagree, so get it right. For cents, write the number over 100 — so 56 cents becomes "56/100".

Key Takeaways

  • Fill in the date, payee name, and both dollar amounts before you sign; a check without a signature is not valid.
  • The written dollar amount (in words) is the legally binding amount if it differs from the numerals, so match them exactly.
  • Sign the check in the bottom right corner with the same signature you registered with Chase; a different signature may cause the bank to reject it.
  • Write clearly in blue or black ink; pencil, marker, or faded ink can cause the check to be rejected or delayed.
  • If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and initial the change; do not use white-out or tape.

Where each line goes and what it means

The top right corner holds the date. Below that, on the left side, is the "Pay to the order of" line — this is where the recipient's name goes. To the right of that line is a box for the dollar amount in numerals only.

Below the payee line is a longer line where you write out the dollar amount in words. This line often has a small box at the end labeled "dollars" — you do not need to write the word "dollars" yourself; just write the number and cents as a fraction.

At the bottom left, you will see a memo line (sometimes labeled "For" or "Memo"). This is optional and is for your own record-keeping — write what the check is for, like "rent" or "invoice #2024-001". The memo does not affect how the check is processed.

The bottom right corner is the signature line. This is where you sign your name. Your signature must match the signature Chase has on file for your account; if it does not, the bank may refuse to cash the check or delay it while they verify.

Ink color, handwriting, and common rejection reasons

Use only blue or black ink. Pencil fades and can be altered, so banks will not accept it. Marker, gel pen, or fountain pen ink can smudge or bleed through the paper, causing scanning errors at the bank's processing center. Stick to a ballpoint pen in blue or black.

Write clearly and large enough to read. If your handwriting is very small or illegible, the bank's scanning equipment may misread the amount or payee name, and the check will be rejected or sent back for manual review, which delays payment by several days.

Do not leave any of the six required blanks empty: date, payee, amount in numerals, amount in words, memo (optional but recommended), and signature. A check missing any of these except the memo will be returned unpaid. If you are unsure of the payee name, contact the recipient before you write the check rather than guessing.

What happens after you sign and hand over the check

Once you give the check to the recipient, they deposit or cash it at their own bank. That bank scans the check and sends the image and data to a clearing house, which routes it to Chase. Chase verifies that your account has enough funds and that your signature matches the one on file. If everything matches, Chase deducts the amount from your account and sends the funds to the recipient's bank, usually within one to three business days.

If your signature does not match, or if the amount in words and numerals do not agree, Chase will return the check unpaid and notify you. The recipient will see the check bounce, and you may face a returned-check fee from Chase (typically $25 to $35, though this varies by account type). The recipient may also charge you a fee for the bounced check.

Keep a record of every check you write — either in a check register (the booklet that came with your checks) or in your Chase mobile app or online banking portal. Write down the date, payee, amount, and purpose. This helps you track your balance and spot errors or fraud.

Correcting mistakes before you hand over the check

If you notice an error before you give the check to anyone, the safest option is to void it and write a new one. To void a check, write "VOID" in large letters across the front, and do not give it to anyone. Keep it for your records.

If you have already handed the check to the recipient and realize there is an error, contact them immediately and ask them not to deposit it. If they have already deposited it, you can contact Chase and ask them to stop payment on the check. Chase charges a stop-payment fee (usually $25 to $35) and will block the check from clearing, but this only works if the recipient's bank has not yet processed it — usually within 24 to 48 hours of deposit.

Special situations: two names, business checks, and post-dating

If a check should go to two people, write both names on the payee line, separated by "and" or "or". "And" means both people must sign it to cash it; "or" means either one can cash it alone. Ask the recipients which they prefer before you write the check.

If you are writing a check from a business account, the payee line and signature line work the same way, but your signature must match the one Chase has on file for that business account. Some business accounts require two signatures; if yours does, both authorized signers must sign before you give the check out.

Post-dating a check (writing a future date) does not prevent the recipient from cashing it early. Banks are not required to hold a post-dated check until that date arrives. Only post-date if you have a written agreement with the recipient that they will not deposit it until that date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the amount in words and numerals do not match?

The amount written in words is the legally binding amount. If you write "$100" in the box but "Fifty dollars" on the line, the check will be processed for fifty dollars. Always make sure both amounts match before you sign and hand over the check.

Can I write a check in pencil?

No. Banks will reject checks written in pencil because pencil can be erased and altered. Use only blue or black ballpoint ink. Gel pens and fountain pens can smudge or bleed, which may cause scanning errors.

What if I sign the check with a different signature than the one Chase has on file?

Chase may reject the check or delay it while they verify your identity. Your signature must match the one you provided when you opened your account. If your signature has changed significantly, contact Chase to update it on file before you write more checks.

Can I stop payment on a check after I have given it to someone?

Yes, but only if the recipient has not already deposited it. Contact Chase and request a stop payment; they will charge a fee (usually $25 to $35) and block the check from clearing. This only works within 24 to 48 hours of when the recipient deposits it, so act fast if you realize there is a problem.

Do I have to fill in the memo line?

No, the memo line is optional. However, writing a note like "rent" or "invoice #2024-001" helps you remember what the check was for when you review your bank statement later. It does not affect how the check is processed.