In this article, we’re explaining how to fill out a cheque. This will be relevant whether you are writing a cheque in Canada, the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.
We will also answer common questions we receive from individuals asking about how to fill out a cheque below.
This article is part of our free series on how to send and receive money, including bank checks, bank transfers, and more, which you can access by clicking here right now.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- How to Fill Out a Cheque
- What Information Is Required When Writing Cheques?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
How to Fill Out a Cheque
To fill out a cheque, you will first need to know how much the cheque is for. Then you will need the correct spelling of the person the check is being issued to. The name is then inserted in the payee block while the amount of the cheque will be written in both numeric and text form in the relevant locations. The date, signature, and relevant memo can then be added to complete the cheque.
What Information Is Required When Writing Cheques?
When writing cheques, you will be required to include specific information about the recipient and the payment being made. This information includes the recipient’s name, the numeric amount of the payment, the written amount of the payment, the date of the cheque, a memo indicating the reason for the cheque, and the signature of the account holder. While a memo is sometimes optional, all other information is required in order for a cheque to be considered valid.
Is My Checking Account Number Required for Writing Out a Cheque?
No, your checking account number is not required for writing out a cheque. This is because the account number is already included at the bottom of the cheque, along with the cheque number, transit number, and institution number. In other words, a cheque already has the checking account number printed on it, so adding it again would be redundant.
What Information Is Required When You Write a Void Cheque?
When you write a void cheque, the information that is required is what is automatically printed on the cheque in addition to the word VOID written in large block letters. In other words, you do not need to write any additional information on the cheque, as your account number, transit number, bank, and branch are already included. Importantly, you should not sign a VOID cheque as this could increase the chances of it being misused.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are four of the most common questions we receive from people looking into how to fill out a cheque. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How Long Is a Cheque Valid For in Canada?
How long a cheque is valid for in Canada may depend on your bank or credit union. This is because financial institutions have discretion in determining whether a cheque is too old to be cashed. That said, most banks in Canada will not accept a cheque if it has been six months since the cheque was issued (and dated).
Why Do I Need to Know How to Write a Cheque?
Why you need to know how to write a cheque is because cheques form an important part of the financial system. In fact, whether you live in Canada, the United Kingdom, or developing countries, cheques are widely used by business, government departments, and even public utilities. So, knowing how to write a cheque correctly is a basic skill that all people should know.
Can I Write a Cheque to Myself in Canada?
Yes, you can write a cheque to yourself in Canada. In fact, writing a cheque to yourself is a common practice that allows individuals to withdraw cash from their checking account when they have lost (or do not have) a bank card tied to the account. To write a cheque to yourself, you will complete the cheque normally but instead of placing the name of a third-party as the Payee, you will place your name.
How Do I Write a Cheque With Cents?
To write a cheque with cents in the payment amount, you will first need to include the numeric value of the cheque including the cents, for example, $55.51. Then in the text block for the payment amount, you will write the amount of thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones, followed by the number of cents with a division sign over 100. Continuing with our example of $55.51, this would be written as “Fifty-Five 51/100”.
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