One needs to understand the different parts of a check as it will help you down in writing down a check. But before this, you should know how to write a check? As well as identify parts of a check.
So, here in this article, we will be understanding the 12 parts of a check or the components of a check. And here we have also presented a quick guide of parts of a personal check.
Quick Guide about part of check
By this quick guide to you can identify parts of the check that are mentioned in the above picture of the check or parts of a check diagram and the number denoted in the above check defines the different parts of the check. Now, take a quick look at all the cheque details or the labeled parts of the check for quick reference.
click here – How To Invest In CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities)
- Personal information: This includes down all about the account owner/s information. The one that is paying the money.
- Payee line: This includes down the name of the person or the company receiving the check.
- Numeric amount box: This includes the check amount, in numeric form, or numbers.
- Written amount: This includes the check amount, in word form.
- Memo line: This includes the basic purpose of the check for which it is issued or formed.
- Date line: This includes the date of the check.
- Signature line: This includes the signature of the account owner or the one paying the check.
- Bank contact information: This includes the bank logo, or the address or the phone number of the bank.
- Banks routing number: This includes the routing number by which you can identify the bank in the banking system.
- Personal account number: This includes the account number of the owner/s or the person paying the check.
- Check number: This includes the number of the check that appears in 2 places, which helps the account owner/s track checks.
- Bank fractional number/ABA: This includes any of the additional identification for the banking system.
Now, let’s discuss what are the parts of a check? One by one with the detailed meaning of all that will invariably help you out in writing a check, and avoid any mistake while writing a check.
- Personal Information: the upper left hand corner of the check contains all the personal information of the owner of the check or the one who is paying the check. It even shows the address of the owner. So, this element of check generally includes:
- Your name
- A home address
- Your phone number
In case there exist 2 owner names then it might be of husband and wife. The first row shows the name of the owner, whereas the second row shows the address of the owner of the check.
- Payee Line: The payee line in the check diagram above shown with the name “Payee to the order of” depicts the one to whom the owner is paying the money. Or say the person or the company who will receive the check. It is a common part of the different checks as say part of a cashier’s check, etc.
- Dollar Box: The dollar box or say the numeric amount box is the one where you write the amount of money the owner of the check is paying to the payee.
For example, $ 20.50
- Check Amount Written Out with Words: This section of the check depicts the amount of money the owner of the check is paying to the payee written down in words.
- For example, the written words for paying $ 20.50 will be Twenty and 50/100.
Note: In case the bank finds a difference in the dollar box and the written out with words of check then they ignore the dollar box as numbers are easier to alter than the words.
- Memo Line: Memo Line is provided to write a note in a check is of less importance therefore, it is not compulsory to fill this element of the check. This part basically acts as a note for the payer. Though, writing a memo is optional which can be performed based on the choice on the payer. So, the memo section includes:
click here – Why Accounting Firm Neumeister & Associates, Llp Are The Most Qualified Burbank CPAs
- details for your personal recordkeeping
- account, invoice, or transaction number while paying a bill
- notes while you are writing checks
- Date Line: The upper right hand side of the check includes the date section and also included in very important elements of a check. The date on a check can be any date i.e. current date or future date.
The future date is also known as the post date. As the transaction cannot take place before this future date.
- Signature Line: The last step of writing a check includes signing the check. You need to sign the check as the check becomes valid only when it is signed. The lower right-hand side of the check has a blank space that has your name written over where you need to do your signature or sign the check. The check holds no value until it is signed. And if you do not sign the check then the check becomes void check.
- Your Bank’s Contact Information: There is a small section below the payee name section that includes information about your bank or bank logo, or there can also be phone number or address included with bank name in some checks.
In case you have received the check from some one then this Bank’s Contact Information part of check only tells you where the bank is located and its address which tells us about the parts of a bank check.
- ABA Routing Number (MICR Format): The bottom left corner of the check contains the part of a check routing number as ABA Routing Number or say the Bank Routing Number. It is known to be the address of the bank. A specific font is known as MICR or say “Magnetic Ink Character Recognition,” is used in writing down the Bank Routing Number or ABA Routing Number in checks which are easily detected and read by the computers.
- Your Account Number: The middle group at the bottom of the check and beside the Bank Routing Number is your account number which is the 10 part of a check. It also uses MICR or say “Magnetic Ink Character Recognition,” so that they are easily detected and read by the computers.
- Check Number: The bottom right corner of the check contains the check number beside the account number or say the third group at the bottom of the check is the check number or the checking number on check. This is basically a reference number that helps you out to know the check related information. Or you can check out the following information from check number as:
- keep a record of the checks you have drawn out
- Know your outstanding checks
- Balance down your check book
Note: In most of the checks the check numbers are mentioned at 2 places in the check.
- ABA Routing Number (Fractional Format): The 12 part of a check is ABA Routing Number where the abbreviation ABA stands out for American Bankers Association which is a number representing your bank as well as all the necessary information of the bank that even includes its location and the Federal Reserve branches of the bank, mentioned at the top right corner of the check.
So, these were the parts of a check labeled for different purposes and serving out as the parts of a business check.
Back of a Check
You need to or the payee needs to sign at the back of the check in order to endorse the check. At the back of the check, the payee signature is taken by the bank in order to avoid any fraud.
Conclusion:
So, by now you know what are the parts of a check and writing and labelling parts of a check and to avoid any mistakes while writing a check and avoid any fraud and know how to understand a check. And this will also help you in identifying parts of a check and the parts of a check routing number, etc. Take your time while filling out the important check information and all the important parts of check for safety purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the 12 parts of a check?
The 12 parts of a check which frames the overall details of a check are as follows:
- Personal information
- Payee line
- Numeric amount box
- Written amount
- Memo line
- Date line
- Signature line
- All the Bank contact information
- Banks routing number
- Personal account number
- Check number
- Bank fractional number/ABA
What do the numbers on the bottom of a check mean?
The numbers at the bottom of the check are grouped up in 3 groups as the parts of a check which are as:
- The Banks routing number for security purpose
- The Personal account number of the owner or payee of the check and
- The Check number
What are the three types of checks?
The three types of checks include the following:
- certified checks
- cashier’s checks and
- payroll checks
What is the top part of a check called?
The top part of the check includes your personal information or the owner of the checks personal information, which includes:
- Your name
- A home address
- Your phone number
Can you deposit someone else’s check in your account?
Yes, you can deposit someone else’s check in your account if the payee name is your name or the payee has signed over at the back of the check and written down your name as a payee to the order of.
How do I verify if a check is good?
You can verify whether the check is good by the banks routing number as this depicts all the necessary information about the bank. As, the bank name and its location will depict all information about check.
What is check money?
Here, the check is considered as the money as it is an order written by a depositor to transfer the sum of money from the payer’s account to the payee account. So, the amount of money written down in the check is the check money.
What part of a check is the least important?
The memo part of the check is the least important parts of a check labeled for the purpose of writing down the purpose or the meaning of the check or a note. This can even be left out blank by the person as all other parts of a check are compulsory to be filled up. This part basically acts as a note for the payer. So, writing a memo is optional which can be performed based on the choice on the payer.