Complete Example Check: A Comprehensive Guide to Filling Out Your First Check

Whether you’re paying a utility bill, sending rent, or transferring funds between your own accounts, knowing how to complete an example check properly is an essential banking skill. While digital payments have transformed how most people handle money, checks remain a legitimate and sometimes necessary payment method. This guide walks you through every detail of filling out a check correctly, with real-world examples to ensure you get it right the first time.

Getting to Know Your Check: The Three Numbers You Need to Understand

Before you fill out your first check, you need to understand the basic anatomy of the document. Every printed check contains three critical identification numbers that serve different purposes in the banking system.

The bank routing number is a nine-digit code unique to your financial institution. This number identifies which bank issued your checking account and is essential for online banking transactions and electronic transfers. The account number is your individual checking account identifier—this is how the bank knows which account to pull funds from. Finally, the check number appears in two places on every check: in the upper right corner and after your account number. This sequential numbering helps you track which checks you’ve written.

Understanding these three numbers is your foundation for completing an example check with confidence. Having a blank check in front of you as you read this will help clarify where each number appears.

The Essentials of Filling Out a Check: What Every Field Means

Completing a check correctly requires attention to detail. Each field serves a specific purpose, and errors in any section can cause problems. Here’s what you need to know about each component of a filled out check.

Start with the date. In the upper right-hand corner, enter the current date. This tells the recipient when you issued the payment and helps maintain a clear payment timeline. Avoid post-dating checks unnecessarily, as this can create confusion and banking delays.

Identify the payee. On the line that reads “Pay to the Order of,” write the exact name of the person, company, or organization receiving payment. Verify the correct spelling before writing—incorrect payee names can delay processing or cause payments to be misdirected. This is one of the most important details in a completed check example.

Enter the numerical amount. In the box on the right side of the check, write the dollar amount using numbers (for example, $243.26). Position this amount as far to the left side of the box as possible. This prevents fraud attempts where someone might add extra digits to the left of your number, changing $100.00 into $2,100.00, for instance.

Write out the amount in words. Below the payee line, spell out your payment amount completely. For that $243.26 payment, you would write “Two hundred forty-three dollars and 26/100.” This written amount is legally binding—if the numerical and written amounts don’t match, the written version takes precedence in bank processing.

Add a memo if needed. The memo line is optional but useful for record-keeping. Write your account number when paying utilities, your invoice number when paying vendors, or your tax ID when paying taxes. This extra documentation helps you track the purpose of each payment later.

Sign on the bottom right. Your signature is what validates the entire check. Without it, the check is worthless. Sign only after you’ve verified all other information is correct. Your signature represents your legal authorization to transfer funds from your account.

Practical Example: Watch an Example Check Get Filled Out

Let’s work through a real scenario. Suppose you need to pay your electric company $113.97, and they require payment by check. Your bill statement arrives, and you gather your checking account information.

Here’s how you’d complete this example check:

The date: You’re mailing the check on February 3rd, 2026, so write “2/3/26” or “February 3, 2026” in the upper right corner.

The payee: Your statement shows the company name is “ABC Electric Company.” Write this exact name on the “Pay to the Order of” line. Spelling accuracy matters—“ABC Electric” and “ABC Electrical” are different entities.

The numerical amount: Write “$113.97” in the amount box, starting as close to the left edge as possible.

The written amount: Below the payee line, write “One hundred thirteen dollars and 97/100.” Notice how you write out the dollars in words and express cents as a fraction over 100.

The memo: Your bill indicates you need to include your account number. Write “Account #12345678” in the memo line (using your actual account number from the statement).

Your signature: Review everything one final time, then sign the check. Your signature completes the filled out check.

Now you’d place this completed check example in an envelope with your payment stub and mail it to the address listed on your bill.

Protecting Your Checks: Security Measures That Matter

A completed check represents real money leaving your account, so security matters. Always use a pen with permanent ink—pencil marks can be erased and modified. Never write blank checks; always fill in the payee and amount before signing. Don’t sign a check until you’ve completed all other fields.

Avoid making checks payable to “Cash” since anyone could attempt to cash it if it’s lost or stolen. Leave no blank spaces or lines where someone could add information you didn’t intend. These precautions transform your filled out check from a potential liability into a secure payment method.

Endorsing a Check You Receive: The Back Side of the Process

When you receive a check from someone else, you must endorse it before depositing or cashing it. An endorsement is simply your signature on the back of the check, which verifies you’re the intended recipient and authorizes the deposit.

Sign the back of the check within the designated endorsement area. Most checks have a line stating “Endorse Here” with a note not to write below a certain line—that lower section is reserved for the bank’s processing marks.

Blank endorsements are simplest: just sign your name. However, this is the least secure option since anyone holding the signed check could potentially cash it.

Secure endorsements provide better protection. Write “For Deposit Only to Account Number XXXXXXXXX” and then sign below. This limits how the check can be used and reduces fraud risk.

Business endorsements require an authorized company representative’s signature and may need to include the business name, signature, job title, and any restrictions like “For Deposit Only.”

Multiple payee checks require careful attention. If the check says “Jane and John Doe,” both must endorse it. If it says “Jane or John Doe,” either one can endorse it and proceed.

Getting Your Endorsed Check Deposited: Multiple Options Available

After endorsing your check, you have several deposit options available.

In-person deposits remain popular. Visit your bank branch, bring a valid ID, hand your endorsed check to a teller, and indicate whether you want it deposited or cashed. This method is straightforward and provides immediate confirmation.

ATM deposits have become increasingly available. Most bank and credit union ATMs now accept check deposits. Endorse the check beforehand, insert your debit card and PIN, and follow the on-screen instructions. The ATM may provide an envelope for your deposit. Hold the check until you confirm the funds have cleared in your account, then destroy it.

Mobile check deposits have revolutionized convenience. Through your bank’s mobile app, you can photograph both sides of your endorsed check and submit them for deposit. Enter the check amount and select your destination account. This method works from anywhere, though you should retain the physical check until the transaction clears.

Reordering Checks When You Run Low: Planning Ahead

Eventually, you’ll run out of checks and need to order a new supply. Many banks provide complimentary checks with new checking accounts, but if you need more, options include ordering through your bank’s website, calling customer service, or visiting your local branch.

You’ll need your existing check information handy: your account number, routing number, and the check number of your last check (so new checks continue the sequence). Banks typically provide instructions for ordering through their customer service or account services portal. The cost varies based on check design and your bank’s pricing—basic personal checks cost less than decorative or business checks.

Third-party check vendors also sell checks online and often offer more design options. You’ll need to provide your bank name, account number, routing number, and starting check number. Compare pricing among providers, as costs can vary significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Checks

Can you write a check with a future date? Yes, post-dating is legal in most cases, though some states have specific restrictions. A post-dated check carries a future date and is typically used when someone wants to pay before the official due date or lacks sufficient funds currently.

What’s required when paying the IRS by check? Write the check payable to “U.S. Treasury,” not the IRS. Include your name, address, daytime phone number, Social Security number or EIN, the tax year, and the related tax form number. Contact the IRS or your tax professional for the correct mailing address.

Can you deposit a check at an ATM? Many banks and credit unions allow ATM check deposits. Contact your financial institution to confirm they offer this service and ask about specific procedures for your bank’s ATM system.

Is it legal to write a check to yourself? Absolutely. Writing a check to yourself is a legitimate way to withdraw cash from your account or transfer money between accounts. Simply enter your name on the payee line, complete all other fields normally, and follow your bank’s deposit procedures.

What happens if the written amount and numerical amount don’t match? Banks follow the written amount. This is why writing out the amount carefully is crucial—it’s the legally binding version if discrepancies exist.

Mastering the art of completing a check is a practical skill that remains relevant despite digital banking’s growth. Whether you’re dealing with a landlord who prefers checks, paying a service provider, or managing household bills, knowing how to correctly fill out and endorse a check ensures your payments process smoothly. Keep your completed checks organized, maintain a record of each transaction, and verify all information before signing to protect yourself from fraud and payment errors.