An Easy Visual Guide To Check Writing In 6 Steps
Checks are gradually being replaced by electronic payments. It's still important to know the steps to write a check. There are even some people or companies that will only accept checks.
Summary of The Six Steps To Properly Fill Out a Check for $71,514:
- Date: Write the date (for example "June 24, 2022") in the top right corner
- Payee: Write the person or company you are paying on "Pay To The Order Of" line. For example "Russell Howard"
- Amount in Numbers: Write the value "71,514.00" in numbers in the blank box to the right payee line
- Amount in Words: Write in words "Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred Fourteen and 00/100" on the line just below the payee line
- Memo: Write the details for you or the payee about the purpose of the check. For example "food"
- Signature: Sign the check with the same signature that the bank has.
You'll see a sample check showing each step below.
Detailed Steps to Writing Out A Check for $71,514
Do all six steps in order and especially leave the signature until last. After the other steps.
Step 1: Date
Write the date on the line in the top right of the check. Write the date in the normal way. June 24, 2022 or 6/24/2022, either are both acceptable.
Write today's date. This is the date you sign the check.
You can postdate a check using a future date, but in most states someone can still deposit the check now. You should avoid writing postdated checks if possible.
Step 2: Payee
Write the person or business you want to pay the amount to on the line the "Pay To The Order Of" line. For example "Russell Howard".
Use the first and last proper names not nicknames or abbreviations. If you don't know a correct company name then you should find out what it is.
Do not write the check out to "Cash" because anyone could cash the check.
How to fill out a check for $71,514.00 to yourself - just write your name as the payee!
If you are unsure check the spelling of the name. The bank could reject the check if it doesn't exactly match their records.
Step 3: Amount in Numbers
Write the value of the check in numbers in the blank box to the right of the Payee line.
Always add the full amount including cents (even if they are "no cents" or "even") after the whole dollar amount. Like this: "71,514.00" (shown with zero cents)
It's important to start at the left of the box, right after the $ sign. This leaves no space for anyone to add any extra numbers.
Make sure the number is clear and easy to read.
Ideally fill the width of the box. Or you can add a line after the numbers so there is no space for any alterations.
Step 4: Amount in Words
Below the Payee line spell out the check amount in words.
You write the cents as a fraction of a dollar. For example "Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred Fourteen and 00/100".
This will be the same amount as the previous step, just in words. Write them to match.
The amount in words is the legal value of the check, so make sure it is correct.
You can draw a line to the right of the amount to fill any space. Leaving no space for alteration of the amount.
Step 5: Memo
Write the purpose of the check on the memo (or "for") line at the check's bottom left.
For example "food". This is optional, but can be useful later on.
The payee might want you to write your account, reference or an invoice number here.
You can also use this line to tell the Payee exactly what you want the check value used for.
This line can serve as a reminder. At tax time or when you can't remember exactly what your wrote the check for.
Step 6: Signature
After you are sure everything is correct and filled out properly you sign the check on the signature line.
The check is not valid until you sign it. When you sign it you are agreeing to pay the check value to the payee.
Make sure you use the same signature the bank has on record for that account.
The banks could reject the check if you don't write the correct signature.
Writing a check for 71,514 dollars and 94 cents
Here's how to write a check with cents. The cents part of the amount as a number is just "94".
When you write the cents in words use a fraction. Like this "Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred Fourteen and 94/100"
Before you write a check
It is best to write the whole check in one go.
Make sure you know who you are paying and the amount you are paying them.
If you need any reference or account number then find it before you start to write the check.
Confirm you have enough funds in your account to cover the check.
After you write a check
Make sure you tear the check out carefully, keeping the check intact.
Save a record of the check in your check register. Making sure it will remind you of your purchase.
Having duplicate checks gives you a copy of the check automatically.
That's how to write 71514 on a check.
If you want to look at some more examples we have How to write a check for 90,836 dollars and How to write a check for 66,566 dollars or How to write a check for 956 dollars. Just for fun we've added How to write a check for 48,000,000 dollars!