The basic format: what goes where on a Canadian check

A Canadian check has the same essential parts as a US check, but the routing information works differently. At the top left, you write the date. In the centre, you write "Pay to the order of" followed by the recipient's name. On the right side, you write the dollar amount in numerals. Below the recipient line, you write out the amount in words. At the bottom, you sign the check in the signature line on the right.

The routing information—the numbers at the bottom of the check—tells the Canadian banking system which bank holds your account and which branch. These are printed on your checks when you order them, so you do not write them yourself. The first set of numbers is your bank's routing code (called the institution number), the second is your branch number, and the third is your account number.

The memo line, which appears below the signature area on many Canadian checks, is optional. You can write a brief note there—"Rent" or "Invoice 2024-15"—to help both you and the recipient track what the payment is for, but it has no legal effect on the check itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Write the date, payee name, amount in numerals and words, and your signature in the spaces provided on the check.
  • The routing and account numbers at the bottom are pre-printed and identify your bank, branch, and account automatically.
  • Use blue or black ink only; other colours may not scan properly when the check is deposited.
  • Write clearly and in permanent ink so the recipient and their bank can read every detail without ambiguity.
  • Never post-date a check (write a future date) unless you have explicitly agreed with the recipient that they will not deposit it until that date.

Where to write the date and why it matters

The date goes in the top right corner of the check. Write it in the format most common in your province: either DD/MM/YYYY (day/month/year) or MM/DD/YYYY (month/day/year). Both formats are used in Canada, so check what your bank's check stock shows as an example.

The date tells the recipient and the banking system when you wrote the check. A check is valid for six months from the date written in most Canadian provinces, though some provinces extend this to two years. After that window closes, the recipient's bank will refuse to cash or deposit it. If you write a check and the recipient does not deposit it for several months, the check may become stale-dated and unusable.

Do not write a future date on a check unless you have explicitly agreed with the recipient that they will hold it and deposit it on that date. Banks are not required to honour post-dated checks, and some will process them early anyway. If you need to delay a payment, a post-dated check is not a reliable method.

Writing the payee name correctly

Write the full name of the person or organization you are paying on the "Pay to the order of" line. If you are paying a business, use the legal name that appears on their invoices or website. If you are paying a person, use their full name as they have provided it to you.

If you make a mistake writing the payee name, do not cross it out and rewrite it. Alterations to a check—especially to the payee line—can make the check invalid or cause the bank to refuse it. If the name is wrong, void the check, mark it "VOID" across the front in large letters, and write a new one.

Some checks have a line that says "or bearer" printed after the payee line. This means the check can be cashed by anyone who holds it, not just the named payee. If you do not want that, cross out "or bearer" before you sign. For most personal checks, you want the check to be payable only to the named person or business.

Writing the amount in numerals and words

Write the dollar amount in two places on the check. In the box on the right side, write the numerals: $1,234.56. On the line below the payee name, write the same amount in words: "One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and 56/100".

The word version must match the numeral version exactly. If they do not match, the bank will contact you or the recipient to clarify which amount is correct. To avoid confusion, write the word amount clearly and include the cents as a fraction over 100 (56/100 means 56 cents). Some people write "and 56 cents" instead, which is also acceptable.

If you are writing a check for a whole dollar amount with no cents, write "One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and 00/100" or "One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars only". The word "only" at the end prevents anyone from adding cents to the check after you have written it.

Signing the check and what makes a signature valid

Sign the check in the signature line at the bottom right, using the same signature you provided to your bank when you opened the account. Your signature does not have to be elaborate or match a particular style—it just has to be consistent with the signature on file at your bank. The bank uses this to verify that you authorized the check.

Sign in blue or black ink only. Other colours may not scan properly when the check is processed through the banking system. Use permanent ink, not pencil or erasable pen, because the signature must remain legible and unchanged throughout the check's journey through the banking system.

Never sign a blank check. If you sign a check before filling in the payee name or amount, anyone who holds that check can fill in any name and any amount. If you need to give someone a blank check for a specific purpose, sign it only after they have filled in the payee name and amount.

Using blue or black ink and avoiding alterations

Write the entire check in blue or black ink. Banks and check-processing machines are calibrated to read these colours reliably. Other colours—red, green, pencil—may not scan properly, and the bank may reject the check or ask you to rewrite it.

Do not cross out, erase, or white-out any information on the check. If you make a mistake, void the check by writing "VOID" across the front in large letters and write a new one. Alterations raise questions about whether the check is legitimate, and the recipient's bank may refuse to process it.

If you need to add information—such as clarifying the payee name or adding a memo—do so only in the designated spaces. Do not write in margins or between lines. Keep the check clean and legible so there is no doubt about what you intended to pay.

Understanding the numbers at the bottom and what they do

The numbers printed at the bottom of your check are not something you write—they are pre-printed by the bank when you order your checks. These numbers are read by machines during processing and tell the banking system which bank and branch holds your account.

The first set of numbers is your bank's institution number (a three-digit code that identifies your bank across Canada). The second set is your branch number (a five-digit code that identifies the specific branch where you opened your account). The third set is your account number (usually eight to twelve digits that identify your specific account).

When the recipient deposits your check, their bank scans these numbers and routes the check to your bank for payment. If any of these numbers are wrong or illegible, the check may be delayed or rejected. This is why it is important to order checks from your bank rather than a third-party printer—your bank ensures the routing information is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I write a check and the recipient never deposits it?

The check remains valid for six months from the date you wrote it (two years in some provinces). If the recipient deposits it within that window, your bank will process it and deduct the amount from your account. If they deposit it after the validity period expires, your bank will refuse it and return it marked "stale-dated".

Can I write a check to myself?

Yes. Write your own name on the payee line and sign the check as usual. You can then deposit it into your own account or a different account you own. Some banks may ask you to endorse the back of the check as well, depending on how you are depositing it.

What should I do if I realize I made a mistake after I have already given the check to someone?

Contact the recipient when ready and ask them not to deposit the check. If they have not yet deposited it, ask them to return it so you can void it and write a new one. If they have already deposited it, contact your bank to see if you can stop payment on the check (this usually costs a fee and must be done quickly).

Do I need to write anything on the back of the check?

Not usually. The back of the check is for the recipient to endorse it when they deposit it. Your bank may ask you to write something on the back only if you are depositing a check that was written to someone else, or if the bank has specific instructions for a particular transaction.

What if the payee name and the amount in words do not match the amount in numerals?

The recipient's bank will contact you or the recipient to clarify which amount is correct. To avoid this delay, always make sure both versions match before you hand over the check. If they do not match and you catch the error before giving the check away, void it and write a new one.