The basic steps to write a check

Writing a check from Bank of America is straightforward: fill in the date, the recipient's name, the dollar amount in two places, sign it, and record it in your register. The check itself comes pre-printed with your account number and routing number at the bottom, so you only need to add the information that changes with each transaction.

You can write a check anywhere — at home, at work, in a car — because the physical location does not matter. What matters is that you have the check in front of you, you know who you are paying, and you know the amount. Bank of America does not need to approve the check before you write it; the bank processes it only after the recipient deposits or cashes it.

Key Takeaways

  • Write the date in the top right corner, the recipient's name on the "Pay to the Order of" line, and the amount in both numbers and words.
  • Sign the check in the bottom right corner with the same signature you registered with Bank of America; unsigned checks will be rejected.
  • Keep a record of each check you write in your checkbook register or banking app so you know how much money you have left.
  • The check clears when the recipient deposits it, which usually takes one to three business days; until then, the money is still in your account.
  • If you make a mistake, write "VOID" across the front and start over on a new check; do not cross out and correct.

Where to fill in each part of the check

The check has specific spaces for specific information. The date goes in the top right corner. You can write today's date, a future date (called a post-dated check), or a past date, though most recipients expect the current date. Write it in the format your bank shows on your statements — usually MM/DD/YYYY.

The "Pay to the Order of" line is where you write the recipient's name. Use the name exactly as the recipient expects it: a person's full name, a business name, or an organization name. If you are unsure, ask the recipient how they want the check made out. This line determines who can cash or deposit the check.

The dollar amount appears in two places. First, write the numbers in the box on the right side of the check — for example, $150.50. Second, write the same amount in words on the line below "Pay to the Order of" — for example, "One Hundred Fifty and 50/100 Dollars". The words version is the legal record if the two amounts do not match; most banks will reject a check where they conflict.

The memo line (usually at the bottom left) is optional. Write what the check is for — "Rent," "Invoice #2024-001," "Car payment" — so both you and the recipient have a record of the purpose. This does not affect whether the check clears.

Signing the check and recording it

Sign the check in the bottom right corner with your regular signature — the one you gave Bank of America when you opened the account. The signature must match your account records closely enough that the bank recognizes it as yours. Do not print your name; do not use initials; do not ask someone else to sign unless they are an authorized signer on the account.

An unsigned check will be rejected when the recipient tries to deposit it. A signature that looks nothing like your registered signature may also be rejected, though banks vary in how strictly they check. If you are unsure whether your signature will be accepted, contact Bank of America before you hand the check over.

Record the check in your checkbook register when ready after you write it. Write the check number, date, recipient name, and amount. Subtract the amount from your running balance so you always know how much money is actually available. If you do not track checks, you risk overdrawing your account — writing a check for more than you have — which triggers overdraft fees.

Bank of America also shows cleared checks in your online banking account and mobile app. You can review them there, but the checkbook register is your real-time record while the check is still in transit.

What happens after you hand over the check

Once you give the check to the recipient, you no longer control it. The recipient can deposit it at their bank, cash it at a check-cashing service, or hold it. The money does not leave your account until the recipient actually deposits or cashes it — not when you write it.

When the recipient deposits the check, their bank sends it through the clearing system. Bank of America receives it, verifies that your account has enough money, and deducts the amount. This process usually takes one to three business days, though it can take longer if the recipient's bank is slow or if the check is deposited on a weekend or holiday.

Once the check clears, it appears in your Bank of America statement as a cleared check. You can view the front and back images of the check in your online account under "Cleared Checks" or "Check Images" — Bank of America keeps digital copies for your records.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

If you make a mistake while writing the check, do not cross out the error and write over it. Instead, write "VOID" in large letters across the front of the check and set it aside. Start over on a fresh check from your checkbook. Banks will not process a check with visible corrections, and the recipient will refuse to accept it.

If you write the wrong amount in numbers or words, or if you write the wrong recipient name, void the check and write a new one. If you realize the mistake after you have already given the check to the recipient, contact them when ready and ask them to return it so you can issue a corrected check.

If you write a check and then change your mind before the recipient deposits it, you can ask the recipient to return the check, or you can contact Bank of America to place a stop payment on it. A stop payment costs money (usually $25 to $35) and only works if the check has not already cleared. Once the check clears, the money is gone and a stop payment will not bring it back.

When checks take longer to clear

Most checks clear within one to three business days. Some take longer. A check clears slower if the recipient's bank is small or out of state, if the check is deposited on a Friday or before a holiday, or if the amount is very large (some banks hold large checks for verification).

Bank of America may also place a temporary hold on a deposited check if the recipient's account is new or if the deposit is unusually large. This is not a problem with your check; it is the recipient's bank being cautious. The hold usually lifts within a few business days.

If a check has not cleared after five business days, contact the recipient to confirm they deposited it. If they did, ask them to check with their bank. If they have not deposited it yet, ask them when they plan to. Do not write another check for the same amount unless you are certain the first one will not be deposited.

Alternatives to writing checks

Checks are slower and require physical paper. If you need to send money faster, Bank of America offers online bill pay through your account, which sends money electronically and usually arrives within one to two business days. You can also use Zelle, a real-time payment service linked to your Bank of America account, to send money to another person when ready (though Zelle has daily limits).

For in-person payments, you can use a debit card, a credit card, or cash. For payments to businesses that require a check, ask whether they accept electronic payments or ACH transfers instead — many do, and it is faster for both of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Technically yes, but Bank of America will charge you an overdraft fee (usually $35) if the check clears and your account does not have enough money. If you do not have overdraft protection, the check may be rejected and returned to the recipient unpaid. It is better to wait until you have the money or use a different payment method.

What if I lose a check before I give it to anyone?

Contact Bank of America and ask them to put a stop payment on the check number. This prevents anyone from cashing it if they find it. You will pay a stop payment fee, usually $25 to $35. If you find the check later, you can cancel the stop payment, though the fee is usually not refunded.

Can someone else sign my check if I give them permission?

Only if they are an authorized signer on your Bank of America account. A spouse or business partner can be added as an authorized signer, and then they can write checks on your account. A friend or employee cannot sign your checks unless they are officially on the account.

How long should I keep my checkbook register?

Keep it until all the checks have cleared and you have reconciled them with your Bank of America statement — usually one to two months. After that, you can discard it. Bank of America keeps digital images of cleared checks for seven years, so you can always request them if you need proof of payment later.

What if the recipient says they never received the check?

Ask Bank of America to search for the check in the clearing system using the check number, amount, and date. If the check has cleared, Bank of America can show you the image and confirm who deposited it. If it has not cleared after two weeks, the check may have been lost in the mail, and you should issue a new one or use a different payment method.