How to Write a Check to Yourself (+FAQs)

Personal checks have dropped in popularity in recent decades. As credit cards and online banking have taken over, it is no longer uncommon for people to have no idea how to write a check.

In some situations, you may find that writing a check to yourself is the most convenient way to transfer funds. How would you go about that, you wonder? Can you simultaneously be the sender and recipient of a check?

Why Would You Need to Write a Check to Yourself?

A check is a physical monetary instrument that instructs a bank to transfer a specific sum of money. Pre-printed checks, of the type we are familiar today, have existed since the 1700s. Checks are significantly less popular now than they once were, but are still used to pay bills or transfer money, especially in important transactions such as buying real estate.

The person writing the check is called the payor or drawer, while the check’s intended recipient is referred to as the payee. The bank on which the check is drawn is called the drawee.

Checks can either be cashed or deposited:

• When a check is deposited, the funds are transferred to the payee’s bank account.
• When a check is cashed, the check is deposited but the funds are immediately paid out, in cash.

Different types of checks exist. A cashier’s check, for instance, arrives with a guarantee from the bank that the promised funds are indeed available, while a certified check serves a similar purpose.

Why would you need to write yourself a check? Can’t you just use your e-baking or mobile banking app to transfer funds, instead? The answer often lies in the time frame — by writing yourself a check, you do not have to wait as long for the funds to clear, and they can become available to you more quickly.

When transferring funds from one bank account to another, a check can also be used as a safety measure. Cash can be stolen. Checks can be stolen, too, but the thief will not be able to cash or deposit the check, because that can only be done by the payee — the intended recipient.

Writing a Check to Yourself: Familiarizing Yourself with the Elements of a Check

Checks issued by different banks can vary in appearance, but share key features. If you have not written a check before, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the elements of a check.

• The payor’s name and address are pre-printed at the top of the check. This cannot be changed.
• A date line will be provided in the top right corner.
• The name of the payee, or recipient, should be written on the line that says “Pay to the Order Of”.
• The amount to be paid is written in the appropriate box, situated next to the payee’s name and indicated by a dollar sign.
• You subsequently write the dollar amount out in words, on the line below.
• You must now sign the check, in the appropriate space within the check’s bottom right corner.
• The memo line can be used to specify reference numbers, account numbers, or the intended purpose of the check.
• Technical details that include the payor’s account number, the routing number, and the individual check’s number, are placed at the bottom.

How to Write a Check to Yourself: Step-by-Step

Now that are you are more familiar with the anatomy of a check, you can simply go ahead and fill the check. Don’t worry; it is easy.

1. Check that you have sufficient funds to write yourself a check for the amount you were intending to.
2. Write your legal name on the line before “Pay to the Order Of”, in full.
3. In the box marked with a dollar sign, write the amount you would like to pay yourself in numerals — for example, $325.00.
4. Write the same amount out in letters below your name, on the appropriate line; “three hundred and twenty-five dollars”. Write a long line when you are done to ensure that no further writing can be added, like this: ----------------.
5. Write the reason for writing the check on the memo line, for instance, “cash”.
6. Date the check, using today’s date.
7. Sign the check.

You can now go ahead and cash the check, or you may deposit it elsewhere.

FAQ

What is check to cash?

“Check to cash” is a check that features, instead of an intended recipient (the payee) the word “cash”. This means that anybody in possession of the check is able to cash it. You do not have to choose this route to obtain cash from a check — making the check out to yourself is perfectly fine, and more secure.

Is it illegal to write a check to yourself?

No. The practice of making a check out to yourself is a little unusual these days, but it is not illegal. You should never, however, write yourself a check if you know that you do not have funds in the account from which you are drawing the check. This is called check kiting, and it is not legal.

Can you send yourself a check in the mail?

Imagine this scenario — you are traveling to another state, perhaps to stay with your parents for the holidays, and you feel uncomfortable about traveling with cash. You can send a check ahead, to be cashed when you arrive, via the postal service. While this is entirely possible, you might as well travel with the check, since that is equally safe as sending the check in the mail. Still, there is no rule against doing this.