Writing a check may seem like a simple task, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid errors or fraud. When writing a check for $20, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure accuracy and prevent mistakes.
First, start by filling in the date on the top right corner of the check. Next, write “Pay to the Order of” followed by the name of the person or entity you’re paying. On the line below, clearly write out the amount of the check in both numbers and words. For example, for $20, you would write “20” in the small box on the right and “Twenty Dollars” on the line. This helps prevent alterations or confusion about the amount being paid.
In the memo line, you can optionally include a brief description of the payment, such as “Rent payment for June” or “Invoice #1234.” Finally, sign the check on the bottom right corner with your authorized signature. Double-check all the information before signing to ensure accuracy. By following these steps carefully, you can write a check for $20 correctly and securely.
Gather Essential Information
To write a check, you need to gather the following essential information:
1. Personal Information
| Item | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Name | Write your full name legibly in the “Pay to the Order of” line. |
| Address | Include your complete street address under your name, if desired. |
| Date | Write the current date in the top right corner of the check. |
| Check Number | Locate the check number printed on the bottom left corner of the check. |
| Account Number | Identify the account number associated with the check. It’s usually printed on the bottom of the check. |
| Routing Number | Find the 9-digit routing number printed on the bottom of the check. |
2. Payee Information
| Item | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Name | Write the full name of the person or entity you’re paying. |
| Amount | Write the amount you’re paying in both numerals and words. The numeral amount goes in the small box on the bottom right corner, while the written amount goes on the “For” line. |
3. Memo (Optional)
If you wish to include a note or reference number, write it on the “Memo” line at the bottom left corner of the check.
Write the Date
Begin writing the date on the top right corner of the check. Write the month as a numeral, followed by a slash, then the date, and another slash, and finally the last two digits of the year. For example, if today is May 5, 2023, you would write: 5/5/23.
Numerals vs. Written Numbers
When writing the date on a check, it’s generally acceptable to use either numerals or written numbers. However, it’s important to maintain consistency throughout the check. If you start with written numbers, continue using them for the rest of the date. The same applies to numerals.
Year Format
When writing the year, use the last two digits only. For example, instead of writing “2023,” write “23.” This is standard check-writing practice.
Abbreviated Months
To save space, you can abbreviate the month using its first three letters. For instance, instead of writing “April,” you can write “Apr.” Here’s a table for quick reference:
| Month | Abbreviated Form |
|---|---|
| January | Jan |
| February | Feb |
| March | Mar |
| April | Apr |
| May | May |
Specify the Payee
The payee line is where you write the name of the person or organization you are paying. This is one of the most important parts of the check because it determines who will receive the money.
When writing the payee line, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Spell the name correctly. If you make a mistake, the check may be returned to you or delayed.
- Use the full name of the payee. This will help to prevent fraud.
- If you are paying a business, write the business name exactly as it appears on their invoice or statement. This will help to ensure that the check is processed correctly.
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| John Doe | This is the full name of the payee. |
| ABC Corporation | This is the full name of the business. |
| Jane Doe | This is not the full name of the payee. It is missing the middle initial. |
| ABC Corp. | This is not the full name of the business. It is missing the word “Corporation”. |
Once you have written the payee line, you can move on to the next step: writing the amount.
Enter the Amount in Numbers
Once you have written the amount of the check in words, you must also write it in numbers. This is important for security purposes, as it makes the check more difficult to alter. To write the amount in numbers, follow these steps:
1. Write the dollar amount
Start by writing the dollar amount of the check. For example, if you are writing a check for $20, you would write “20”.
2. Write the cents amount
Next, write the cents amount of the check. If there is no cents amount, write “00”. For example, if you are writing a check for $20, you would write “2000”.
3. Write the decimal point
After you have written the dollar amount and the cents amount, you must write the decimal point. The decimal point separates the dollar amount from the cents amount. For example, if you are writing a check for $20, you would write “20.00”.
4. Write the currency symbol
Finally, you must write the currency symbol. In the United States, the currency symbol is “$”. For example, if you are writing a check for $20, you would write “$20.00”.
| Dollar Amount | Cents Amount | Decimal Point | Currency Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 00 | . | $ |
Write the Amount in Words
To write the amount in words for $20, follow these steps:
-
Start with the largest unit, which is dollars. Write “Twenty” for $20.
-
Add “and” if there are cents.
-
Write the number of cents, if any. Since there are no cents in $20, leave this part blank.
-
Finish with “Dollars”.
Putting it all together, the amount in words for $20 is: Twenty Dollars
Additional Tips:
-
Capitalize the first letter of each word except "and".
-
Write a line through any blank spaces to prevent fraud.
-
Use words instead of numerals to prevent alteration.
-
Write the amount clearly and legibly.
Write the Dollar Amount in Numerals
Locate the line labeled “Amount” and on the far right, write $20.00. If there is not enough room, abbreviate the word “Dollars” to “Dols”. The dollar sign and decimal with two zeros are mandatory. Ensure the number is large enough to fill the space provided but not overlapping into the “Memo” section.
Write the Dollar Amount in Words
On the line below where you wrote the dollar amount in numerals, write out “Twenty and 00/100”. If there are cents, write them using the cents sign (ยข) and a slash (/) followed by 100. For example, “Twenty and 25/100”.
Write the Date
Locate the line labeled “Date” and fill in the date using the MM/DD/YY format. For example, for March 15, 2023, write “03/15/23”.
Write the Payee
On the line labeled “Pay to the Order of,” write the full name of the person or company you are paying. Ensure their name is spelled correctly and legible.
Include the Memo (Optional)
If you wish to include a brief note or reference number, write it on the line labeled “Memo”. This is optional and can be used to provide additional information about the payment, such as an invoice number or the reason for the payment.
Include the Signature
Sign the check in the designated area on the bottom right-hand corner. Ensure your signature matches the signature on file with your bank. It should be legible and consistent with your usual signature.
Verification Table
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Date | 03/15/23 |
| Payee | John Doe |
| Amount (Numerals) | $20.00 |
| Amount (Words) | Twenty and 00/100 |
| Memo | Invoice #12345 |
| Signature | [Your Signature] |
Step 3: Fill in the Amount Line
In the box labelled “Amount”, write the numerical value of the amount you’re paying in numbers. For instance, for $20, you’d write “20.00”.
Step 4: Write “Dollars”
On the line underneath the numerical amount, write the word “Dollars”. For example, for $20, you’d write “Twenty and 00/100 Dollars”.
Step 5: Write the Date
In the top right corner of the check, fill in the date on which you’re writing the check. Use the MM/DD/YYYY format (e.g., 01/01/2023 for January 1, 2023).
Step 6: Sign the Check
On the line labelled “Signature”, sign your name exactly as it appears on your bank account.
Step 7: Write “For” or “Memo” (Optional)
The “For” or “Memo” line is optional and can be used to provide additional information about the payment, such as the purpose of the payment or the invoice number. If you’re using this line, write a brief description in the space provided. For example, if you’re paying rent, you could write “Rent for January 2023”.
Fill in the Stub (Optional)
Writing a check for $20 is a straightforward process that involves filling out essential fields on the check and possibly the stub, if your checkbook has one. Here’s a detailed guide to help you write a check for $20 accurately:
1. Date
Start by filling in the current date in the top right corner of the check. Write the month, day, and year in numerical format (e.g., 03/08/2023).
2. Payee
On the line that says “Pay to the Order of,” write the name of the person or business you’re paying. If you’re paying yourself, write “Cash.”
3. Amount in Numbers
In the small box to the right of “Pay to the Order of,” write the amount of the check in numerical form. For $20, write “20.00.”
4. Amount in Words
On the line below “Pay to the Order of,” write out the amount of the check in words. For $20, write “Twenty and 00/100.”
5. Signature
Sign your name on the line in the bottom right corner of the check. This is your authorization for the bank to deduct the specified amount from your account.
6. Memo (Optional)
If desired, you can include a brief note or memo in the “Memo” line to indicate the purpose of the payment.
7. Check Number
The check number is typically pre-printed on the check; however, if it’s not, write the check number in the top right corner of the check.
8. Routing and Account Numbers
These numbers are usually printed along the bottom of the check. The routing number identifies your bank, while the account number identifies your specific account. Ensure that these numbers are accurate to avoid any payment issues.
Routing and Account Number Table:
| Field | Location |
|—|—|
| Routing Number | Bottom Left |
| Account Number | Bottom Right |
Double-Check the Information
After you have filled out the check, take a moment to double-check all of the information to make sure it is correct. This includes the date, the payee, the amount, and your signature. If you make a mistake, cross out the incorrect information and write the correct information above it. You can also add a note to the memo line to explain the correction.
Additional tips for double-checking the information on your check:
- Read the check aloud to yourself to make sure that everything is spelled correctly and that the numbers are accurate.
- Compare the check to the original invoice or bill to make sure that the amount and payee information are correct.
- If you are writing a check for a large amount of money, it may be a good idea to have someone else review the information before you sign it.
| Field | What to check |
|---|---|
| Date | Make sure the date is correct and that it is not post-dated. |
| Payee | Make sure the payee’s name is spelled correctly and that it is the correct person or business. |
| Amount | Make sure the amount is correct and that it is written in both numbers and words. |
| Signature | Make sure your signature matches the signature on your bank account. |
Sign and Tear Off
Once you’ve filled out all the necessary information on the check, it’s time to sign and tear it off. Here’s how to do it:
1. Check the check amount and payee name.
Make sure the amount you’ve written on the check matches the amount you’ve written in the memo line. Also, check that the payee’s name is spelled correctly.
2. Sign the check in the signature line.
Use a pen to sign your name exactly as it appears on your bank account.
3. Tear off the check.
Once you’ve signed the check, tear it off from the checkbook along the perforated line.
| Example of Filling Out a Check for $20 |
|---|
| Date: [Date] |
| Pay to the Order of: [Name of Person or Business] |
| Amount: $20.00 |
| Memo: [Optional] |
| Signature: [Your Signature] |
How To Write A Check For $20
To write a check for $20, follow these steps:
- On the top right corner of the check, write the date.
- In the “Pay to the order of” line, write the name of the person or business you are paying.
- In the “Dollars” field, write the numerical amount of the check, which is $20.
- In the “Cents” field, write the cents portion of the check, which is 00.
- Write out the amount of the check in words on the line below the “Dollars” and “Cents” fields. If the amount is $20, write “Twenty dollars and 00/100”.
- Sign the check on the bottom right corner.
People Also Ask
How do I write a check for $20.50?
To write a check for $20.50, follow the steps outlined in the response above. In the “Dollars” field, write 20. In the “Cents” field, write 50. On the line below, write out the amount in words: “Twenty dollars and 50/100”.
What is the difference between a check and a money order?
A check is a written order to a bank to pay a specified amount of money from a checking account. A money order is a prepaid order for a specific amount of money, purchased from a bank, post office, or other financial institution.
How do I cash a check?
To cash a check, you will need to present it to a bank or other financial institution. You will typically need to provide identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. The bank may charge a fee to cash the check.
