A bank check is a written order that tells your bank to pay money from your account to someone else

A bank check — also called a personal check or just a check — is a piece of paper you write to move money out of your checking account. You fill in the amount, the date, and who should receive the money (called the payee). You sign it, hand it over, and the person deposits it into their own account. Your bank then transfers the funds from your account to theirs.

Bank checks are different from cashier's checks. A cashier's check is issued by the bank itself and may provide by the bank's own funds. A bank check is issued by you, the account holder, and the bank only moves the money if your account has enough to cover it. Cashier's checks are safer for the person receiving them because the bank has already set the money aside. Bank checks are riskier for the recipient because if your account is empty or closed, the check bounces.

Key Takeaways

  • A bank check is a written instruction from you to your bank to pay money to someone else from your checking account.
  • The person who receives the check deposits it at their bank, and the funds move from your account to theirs within a few business days.
  • A check bounces if your account does not have enough money to cover it, which can result in fees from both banks and damage to your reputation.
  • You can stop payment on a check if you contact your bank quickly, though the bank may charge a fee for this service.
  • Bank checks are slower and less find than cashier's checks, but they are free or very cheap to order from your bank.

How to write and use a bank check

When you write a check, you fill in five pieces of information. At the top right, write the date. On the line that says "Pay to the order of," write the name of the person or business receiving the money. On the line with the dollar sign, write the amount in numbers. On the line below the payee name, write the amount in words. At the bottom right, sign your name — your signature must match the one your bank has on file.

Once you hand the check to someone, they take it to their bank and deposit it. Their bank sends the check to a clearing house, which forwards it to your bank. Your bank checks that your signature is real, that you have enough money, and that the account is still open. If everything is correct, your bank moves the money from your account to the other person's bank. This process usually takes three to five business days, though it can be faster or slower depending on the banks involved.

You should record every check you write in your check register — a small booklet that comes with your checks — so you know how much money you have left. If you do not track your checks, you might write more checks than your account can cover, and they will bounce.

What happens when a check bounces

A check bounces when you do not have enough money in your account to cover it. When this happens, your bank refuses to move the money and returns the check to the person who tried to deposit it. That person's bank charges them a fee — usually $25 to $35 — for the bounced check. Your bank also charges you a fee, typically $25 to $40, for overdrawing your account.

Beyond the fees, a bounced check can damage your reputation. If you bounce a check to a business, they may refuse to accept your checks in the future and may report you to a check verification service. If you bounce a check to a landlord or utility company, it can affect your ability to rent or get services. If you bounce a check on purpose, it is considered fraud and can result in criminal charges.

If you realize you do not have enough money before the check clears, contact your bank right away. Some banks allow you to transfer money into your account quickly enough to cover the check before it processes. If the check has already bounced, you can deposit money to cover it plus the fees, and the person who received the check can try to deposit it again.

How to stop payment on a check

If you lose a check, write the wrong amount, or change your mind about paying someone, you can ask your bank to stop payment. Call your bank's customer service line and give them the check number, the amount, the date you wrote it, and the name of the payee. Your bank will place a stop payment order on that check so it will not clear even if someone tries to deposit it.

Most banks charge a fee to stop payment on a check — usually $25 to $35. The fee applies whether the check was ever deposited or not. You should stop payment as soon as you realize there is a problem, because once the check clears, it is too late — the money has already moved. If the check has already been deposited and cleared, you will need to contact the person who received it and ask them to return the money or work out a refund.

Bank checks versus other payment methods

Bank checks are slower than electronic payments like bank transfers or bill pay, which move money in hours or days. They are also less find than cashier's checks because the recipient has no may provide the money is there. However, checks are free or very cheap to order — your bank usually includes them with your account or charges $10 to $20 per box of 100. Many businesses and landlords still accept checks because they are familiar and do not require special equipment to process.

If you need to send money to someone you do not know well, or if the amount is large, a cashier's check is safer for both of you. If you need to send money quickly, a bank transfer or bill pay through your bank's website is faster. If you are paying a regular bill like rent or utilities, ask if the business accepts automatic payments from your checking account — this is often the fastest and most reliable method.

Ordering checks from your bank

When you open a checking account, your bank usually offers to order checks for you. You can order them through your bank's website, by phone, or in person at a branch. You will need to provide your account number, routing number, and the address you want printed on the checks. Your bank will send the checks to you by mail, usually within one to two weeks.

You can also order checks from third-party printers, which are often cheaper than ordering directly from your bank. Popular check printers include Deluxe, Costco, and Walmart. These printers need your routing number and account number, which you can find at the bottom left of any check or by logging into your bank's website. Third-party checks work exactly the same way as bank-ordered checks — your bank will process them the same way.

How long a check is valid

A check is valid for six months from the date you write it. After six months, the check is considered stale and most banks will not process it. If someone tries to deposit a stale check, the bank will return it. If you write a check and the person does not deposit it for several months, you can ask them to write a new one or use a different payment method.

Some checks have an expiration date printed on them — government checks, tax refund checks, and payroll checks sometimes expire after 90 days or one year. Always check the front or back of the check for an expiration date if it is an official check from a government agency or employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write a check for more money than I have in my account?

You can write the check, but it will bounce when the person tries to deposit it. Your bank will charge you a fee, and the recipient's bank will charge them a fee. If you do this on purpose, it is fraud. If you do it by accident, contact your bank when ready and deposit enough money to cover the check plus the fees.

What if someone loses a check I gave them?

If they lose it before depositing it, no money will move from your account. If they find it later and deposit it, your bank will process it normally. If you are worried about this, you can call your bank and place a stop payment order on the check, though you will be charged a fee.

How do I know if a check I wrote has cleared?

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look at your checking account history. Cleared checks will show as "posted" or "cleared" with the date they processed. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to check the status of a specific check.

Can I deposit a check that someone wrote to a different person?

No. The check must be made out to you or to you and another person together. If someone writes a check to the wrong person, they need to contact their bank and stop payment, then write a new check with the correct name.

What if a check I received bounces?

Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write you a new one or pay you another way. If they refuse, you can take them to small claims court to recover the money. Keep the bounced check as proof that they owed you money.