Writing a Check to “Cash”Ī check written payable to “Cash” can be cashed or deposited by anyone. If Katie Price is marrying John Cash, you might be inclined to write the check to “John and Katie Cash” however, do you know if Katie will be changing her name? Perhaps it will be easier to make the check to John Cash or Katie Price.

A check payable to two parties without either conjunction is subject to the interpretation of the financial institution handling the item.Ĭonsider these tips when writing a check as a wedding gift:ĭoes the couple have a joint account together? If you are not sure, it is best to use OR. “Or” is often a better choice for convenience of the payees. The word “Or” allows just one party on the check to control the funds. This can cause difficulty if the parties have separate finances or if one is not available to provide a signature. “And” requires both parties to have access to the funds, which means they must both endorse the back of the check. When writing a check to multiple parties, simply write the word “and” or “or” between the two payees however, it is important to understand that each word makes a difference in how the check may be cashed. it is best to always ask your payee how they prefer the check written. Be sure to always include first and last names. If you have a friend whom you refer to as “Buddy”, but his real name is Robert, you should make the check out to Robert. Be sure that you know this information, as any mistakes may make it difficult for the check to be cashed. Pay to the Order of is where you write the name of the person or business that is to receive the funds of the check. Many checks from corporations have an expiration date of 90 or 120 days printed on the check face. Checks that are more than 6 months old are considered staledated and are void.There is no guarantee that your check will not be cashed prior to the postdate, and if the funds are not available you may be charged with overdraft fees.

This is called postdating and it is illegal in many states.

Do NOT write a future date on your check.

Write a check