A Better Way to Manage Your Everyday Money - Book - Page 70
Paper check format
The parts of a check are normally arranged as shown below, but there could be variations in
format. Refer to the numbers and correlating example here for explanation.
1. Your name and address. Including your phone number simplifies using checks at stores
that require it. Do not include your social security number.
2. The number of the check printed and in machine readable format.
3. The date you write the check or a future date for a post-dated check. The check is not
valid until this date.
4. The person or company to whom you are paying the money. How this name is written
may be important to whoever is receiving the check, as their account may require a
specific spelling.
5. The numerical amount of the check.
6. The amount of the check written in words.
7. The name of your bank or credit union. Their address and logo may be included.
8. The memo line where you can optionally write the purpose of the check or reference
information that will aid the payee in identifying where the money is to be applied. An
example is writing an invoice number. Another example could be
