Do you know how to write a 100 dollar check? Writing checks is a common way to pay your bills or transfer money. Although electronic payments dominate today’s world, checks provide a convenient offline payment method accepted almost everywhere. If you need to write a $100 check, either for the first time or just need a refresher, this comprehensive guide walks through each step of the process.
If you’re short on time, here is the quick answer: To write a $100 check, make sure to date it, provide the payee name, write out one hundred dollars, indicate cents with 00/100, sign it, and consider adding a memo for your records.
Filling out the sections accurately ensures the check clears correctly.
Gather Your Checkbook and a Pen
Locate your checks
The first step in writing a check is gathering the necessary materials – your checkbook and a working pen. To locate your checks, look in your purse, wallet, desk drawer, filing cabinet, or wherever you normally store your checkbook.
Most checkbooks contain 25-200 blank checks attached to a checkbook register. The checks are typically located on the back pages of the register. Make sure there are still usable checks remaining and that you have all the necessary check stubs to properly record each transaction.
If your checks are unsigned or you cannot find an adequate number of checks, you may need to open a new checkbook through your bank.
Once you have your checkbook in hand, ensure you have a pen that contains ink and can write smoothly. Discard any pens that are dried out or damaged. Using a pen with dark ink, such as black or blue, will help prevent potential check fraud.
You don’t want the written amounts to be easily altered or misread. Having the proper materials is the essential first step before you can begin filling out a check correctly.
Find a working pen
As mentioned, you’ll need a good working pen to write your $100 check. Ballpoint pens work nicely as their ink dries quickly and clearly on checks. Gel pens also smoothly glide along the check’s surface.
Make sure to avoid pens that smear or leave behind blobs of wet ink, as this ink could potentially bleed onto other checks. Confirm the pen you select has plenty of ink flow and does not require excessive pressure or effort to write. Pressing too firmly could tear through the thin check paper.
Having a quality pen that writes your check details is vital to prevent potential check fraud or processing issues.
You’ll also want to ensure your pen ink color provides enough contrast against the check. Most checks have a light background color. Therefore, darker ink colors like black, blue, or dark green work well. Additionally, select a pen tip size that writes legible numbers and letters.
Medium or bold pen tips around 1.0mm typically work well to help the check recipient or bank easily read your handwriting.
Now that you’ve gathered a checkbook with enough blank checks and a working pen full of bold, dark ink, you’re ready to move on to the next step of properly filling out all the check details. Having the right supplies lays the foundation for writing a complete, legal-tender $100 check.
Date the Check Properly
When writing a check, properly dating it is an important step to ensure the check is valid. Here are some tips on how to properly date your $100 check:
Write the Current Date
Be sure to write the current date in the date line on the upper right corner of the check. Writing a future date will make the check invalid. You’ll want to date the check for the day you write it so it can be cashed or deposited right away.
Use the MM/DD/YYYY Format
Use the month/day/year numerical format (e.g. 12/19/2023) instead of writing the date out in words. This helps prevent confusion or ambiguity over what date is written.
Double Check Accuracy
Carefully double-check that you have written down the correct date before signing or issuing the check. An incorrect date can lead to processing issues, delays, or additional fees if the bank or payee has to reach back out to fix it.
Match the Date to the Check Number
The date and check number together help track when the check was written. So you’ll want to make sure the date on your $100 check syncs with the check number from your checkbook register.
Following these best practices for properly dating your $100 check helps ensure it will clear with no issues. Taking an extra moment can prevent any holdups or headaches if there is confusion over when the check was written or should be cashed.
Fill In the Payee Line Accurately
Payee name
When writing a check, one of the most important pieces of information to include is the name of the person or company to whom you are paying the money. This goes on the payee line of the check. It is crucial to accurately spell out the full, legal name of the payee to prevent problems when they try to cash or deposit the check.
For personal checks, write the recipient’s full name like it appears on their official ID or account. For businesses, use their complete legal name, not abbreviated versions. For example, write out “Walmart Incorporated” rather than just “Walmart.”
You can find the official name on their website, billing statements, or other correspondence.
Take extra care that your handwriting is clear and legible on the payee line. Ambiguous or misspelled names can lead to delays, rejections, or even fraud. According to the American Bankers Association, up to 1% of checks in the US get rejected annually due to unclear or inaccurate payee names.
Avoid leaving blank
Never leave the payee line blank when writing a check. Doing so essentially creates a blank check that could be filled in by anyone with fraudulent intentions. Even if you make an error on the payee line, avoid leaving it blank by either starting over with a new check or neatly crossing out the error and rewriting the correct name.
Likewise, do not pre-sign blank checks for convenience. It may seem harmless to sign a batch of checks ahead of time before you have a payee name or amount filled in. However, this gives anyone with access to those checks the ability to add their own payee name and dollar amount, creating a high risk of financial fraud and loss.
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By carefully filling in the payee line according to these best practices, you can avoid common check-writing issues. Taking the extra time upfront to verify names prevents bigger problems down the road. Protect yourself and your money by always knowing exactly to whom your checks are made out.
Write Out the Check Amount in Words
When writing a check for $100 or any other amount, it’s important to write out the amount in words on the line under the dollar amount. This helps prevent fraud and ensures the correct amount is paid. Here are some tips for properly writing out check amounts in words:
Spell Out the Whole Dollar Amount
Don’t use numerals when writing out the amount. Spell out the whole dollar amount in words. For $100, you would write “One Hundred and 00/100”. The “00/100” represents cents. Since the amount is an even dollar amount, you would put 00/100.
For a check with cents, such as $100.36, you would put “One Hundred and 36/100”.
Be Clear and Legible
Make sure to neatly write the amount with clear, legible handwriting. Don’t abbreviate words or leave out letters. The person cashing the check needs to easily discern the written amount.
Follow Conventions for Large Amounts
For check amounts of one thousand dollars or greater, you would follow certain conventions. For example:
- $1,000 = One Thousand and 00/100
- $15,000 = Fifteen Thousand and 00/100
- $500,000 = Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100
Keep in mind to not use commas when writing out the amounts in words.
Double Check for Accuracy
Before signing the check, double-check that the written word amount matches the numeric dollar amount. Even a small discrepancy could lead to problems cashing the check. Going slowly and carefully when writing out the amount can help avoid mistakes.
Following these basic tips will help ensure your $100 check or any other check amount is written properly for easy payment deposit or cashing.
Add the Numeric Dollar Amount
No commas or symbols
When writing out the dollar amount on a check, it is important not to include any punctuation like commas or dollar signs. Simply write out the numbers – for example, if you wanted to write a check for $100, you would write “one hundred”.
Using commas or dollar signs can confuse the bank when they are processing checks. Most banks have automated systems that read checks so that extraneous symbols may cause errors.
Some people like to write out “and” between the dollars and cents – for instance, “one hundred and 00/100”. However, this extra word is not necessary. The best practice is to simply write out “one hundred” and then “00” for a $100 check.
Indicate cents
After writing the dollar amount in numbers, you need to indicate the cents by writing “XX/100”, with XX representing the cents. Even if there are no cents, you would write “00/100”. Specifying the cents amount prevents ambiguity and indicates that the numeric amount written is in US dollars.
For example:
- For one dollar exactly: Write “one 00/100”
- For ten dollars exactly: Write “ten 00/100”
- For one hundred twenty dollars and thirty-five cents: Write “one hundred twenty 35/100”
Some banks may allow you to write a check without the “/100” after the cents. However, best practice is to include it to remove any doubt about the amount. The fractions also help prevent fraud – it makes it more difficult for someone to modify your check by adding more numbers.
- Do not use commas, decimal points, or dollar signs when writing out check amounts
- Write out the dollar amount in words followed by cents over 100 (e.g. one hundred twenty 35/100)
- Indicate the cents even if the amount is round dollars for clarity
- Fractions help validate the amount and prevent check fraud
Following these simple rules will ensure your check amounts are readable and minimize the chances of errors. For more tips, see the MyBank check-writing guide.
Sign the Check on the Signature Line
Signing a check is the final step you need to take before sending it off. Your signature is important for a few reasons:
Makes the Check Valid
Your signature makes the check valid and able to be deposited or cashed. Without your signature, the check could be considered incomplete or invalid by the recipient’s bank.
Prevents Fraud
Your signature helps prevent fraud because it makes it much harder for someone else to forge your check. When you sign, use your normal signature like you would on any other important financial document.
Matches the Signature on File
Banks have your signature from when you opened your account on file. They will compare the signature on checks with this signature to verify it’s you writing the check.
Where to Sign
There is a designated signature line on every check specifically for your signature. It will say “Signature” and have a line for you to sign your name.
Make sure to sign in ink. Signature stamps, copies of signatures, or signatures in pencil are often rejected. Using blue or black ink is recommended.
Only sign the check when filled out and you’re ready to use it. Don’t sign blank checks that could be stolen and improperly used.
Consider Adding a Memo (Optional)
Helps Your Record Keeping
Adding a memo to your check can greatly assist with financial record-keeping and organization. The memo notes what the check payment is for, whether it is paying a bill, purchasing an item, or sending money to an individual.
When you review your bank statement later, the memo jogs your memory about that particular check, especially if the payee name doesn’t provide enough context. The memo also helps if you need to discuss the payment with your bank or the payee.
Overall, a check memo facilitates personal financial administration and is considered a best practice by financial experts.
Memo Details
The check memo field is located at the bottom left area under the signature line. It has no specified length, so you can customize the memo for your needs. Typical memo details include the invoice number, purpose or category of payment (e.g. office supplies), and other descriptions about what the check is for.
Memos are often brief, for example, “Invoice 13579 utility bill” or “Reimburse travel expenses”. But you can write longer memos if more specifics are helpful for your record keeping.
When adding a memo, write legibly to enable easy reading later. Also check that your recorded details match the actual purpose of the check, to prevent confusing your financial trail.
Store and Mail the Check Safely
Once you have filled out your check properly, you need to make sure you store and mail it safely to prevent fraud or getting lost. Here are some tips:
Store Checks Securely
Keep your unused checks locked up securely when not being used. An unlocked checkbook or box of checks can easily be stolen and used for fraudulent purposes. A fireproof lockbox, safe, or bank-safe deposit box are great places to keep checks safe.
Handle Completed Checks Carefully
After writing a check, ensure not to leave it sitting out openly. Completed checks should be mailed or delivered to the recipient right away. If you need to hold onto a completed check for mailing later, store it securely just like an unused check.
Mail Checks Properly
It’s best to mail important checks using services that offer tracking, insurance, and security:
- Use certified mail when mailing checks to have proof of delivery
- Consider registered mail which adds more security and insurance
- Use USPS Priority Mail which includes up to $50 of insurance automatically
- Use delivery services like FedEx or UPS to get tracking and insurance too
This protects you if the check gets damaged, lost, or stolen during transit. Make sure to get and keep the mailing receipt each time.
Notify Your Bank of Non-Delivery
If you mailed a check and think it may have been lost or stolen, make sure to contact your bank right away and place a stop on that check number. This will prevent anyone else from fraudulently cashing it if found. Most banks will reissue a new check number to replace the missing one.
By properly storing, securing, and mailing checks, you can help prevent many check fraud issues. Taking a few simple precautions goes a long way to keeping your money safe!
How To Write A 100 Dollar Check – Conclusion
Writing a check for $100 or any other amount follows a simple, standardized process that works across all banks. By accurately filling in each section—properly dating, naming the recipient, writing numeric and word amounts, signing your name, and optionally adding a memo—you ensure no issues depositing or cashing your check.
Storing blank check stock securely and mailing out written checks carefully prevents check fraud. Follow these check-writing best practices anytime payments via check make sense over cash, credit, or electronic options.
