Whether you need to move money from one bank to another or withdraw cash from your bank account, writing a check to yourself seems like an easy solution. But Can you write yourself a check?
Yes, you can write a check made out to yourself. Just fill out the check as usual and put your own name in the “Pay to the order of” field. You can then cash the check or deposit the money into another bank account.
In the rest of this article, we’ll explore a few reasons why you might want to write a check made out to yourself and how, exactly, to go about it.
Why would you write a check to yourself?
There are a few reasons why you might need to write a check made out to yourself:
- Move money between different banks– This is common if you are closing an account and transferring the money to another account. Or, if you decide to open a new account at a separate bank, a check may need to be written to you to cover the opening deposit.
- withdraw cash – If you need cash, but don’t have access to an ATM, then writing a check is a great solution. This is also a good option if you need to withdraw more money than an ATM will allow. For example, if you decide to buy a car with cash from a private seller, you may choose to write yourself a check and cash it to make the purchase.
- Paying yourself from your business – If you are a small business owner and cannot send money from your business checking account to your personal account, you may need to write a check.
Alternatives to writing yourself a check
While writing a check is a great way to move money around or get cash out of your bank account, it’s not your only option.
Here are some alternatives you might want to consider if you’d rather not break your checkbook:
Make a withdrawal in person
If you need to withdraw cash from your checking account, you can always visit your bank and make a standard withdrawal. This is a good option if you don’t need access to cash right away or if you need a large amount of money.
Standard withdrawals are pretty easy these days. Gone are the days when you had to remember your bank account number (although it’s still a good idea to memorize it).
In most cases, you’ll just need to provide your debit card, enter your PIN, and show the teller your ID. From there, they will be able to help you with whatever you need to do.
Go to the ATM
If you don’t feel comfortable writing yourself a check, you can always go to your local bank and get money from the ATM. This is a great option if you don’t need to take out more than a few hundred dollars.
Just make sure you remember your PIN. Otherwise, you will have to resort to a standard withdrawal.
Zelle yourself the money
If you need to move money from one bank to another, you can always Zelle the money yourself, assuming both banks offer this service.
With Zelle, you can move money without ever leaving the comfort of your home. All you have to do is provide the email or phone number of the person you want to transfer the money to, in this case yourself, and start the transfer.
The only caveat here is that you’ll have to link each Zelle account to a unique email or phone number.
In other words, you can’t link two separate bank accounts to the same phone number at Zelle.
Instead, you’ll need to link one bank account to your phone number and the other bank account to your email address. Or, if you prefer, you can use two separate email addresses.
Assuming you do that, you can use Zelle to transfer money from one bank to another.
Where can you cash a check in your name?
Most places that accept personal checks will also cash a check made out to you. This includes banks, supermarkets, and check cashing stores. Keep in mind that when cashing a check made out to yourself, you may be required to show some form of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Also, some places, like grocery stores, may set a limit on the amount of cash you can receive. For example, you may only be able to get $200 in cash when you use a personal check.
In general, the best option is a bank. However, if you’re really in a bind and need quick access to some cash, it’s good to know about these aforementioned options.
See also: How big of a check can you write? Is there a limit?
How to write a check to yourself
Now that you know it’s possible to write a check to yourself, let’s review how to do it.
Step 1 – Fill in the date
The first thing you will need to do is write the date in the upper right hand corner of the check.
Step 2 – Fill out the beneficiary
Just like writing a check made out to someone else, you’ll need to indicate who the check is being written out to, in this case, yourself.
To accomplish this, simply type your full name in the “Pay to order of” field.
Step 3 – Fill in the dollar amount
Next, you will need to fill in the dollar amount of the check in two places. First, you’ll need to type the numerical value of the check in the box adjacent to the “Pay to the order of” field.
Then, on the line just below that, you’ll need to write that dollar amount in plain English, and be sure to include the cents written as a fraction.
For example, if you wanted to write a check made out to yourself for $50.25, you would write “fifty-25/100″ on the “dollars” line.
Step 4 – Fill in the Notes Line
The memo line on a check is used to record the purpose of the check.
While this field is not required, it may help to write something like “For deposit only” or “To transfer funds.” The purpose of the memo line is to help you remember why you wrote the check later.
Step 5: Sign the check
The fifth and final step to take when writing a check to yourself is to sign the check on the signature line.
Without your signature, the check is invalid and the recipient (in this case, yourself) will not be able to cash it.
As you can see, the process of writing a check in your name is no different than writing a check in someone else’s name. The only difference is that you will be the one who receives the funds.
See also: 13 checking account benefits you shouldn’t overlook
cash a check in your name
After writing yourself a check, you probably want to cash it, unless of course you’re just transferring money from one bank to another.
So how do you cash a check made out to your name? This is what you should do:
Step 1: Endorse the check
The first thing to do is sign the back of the check. This signature is known as an endorsement and is required for any check you wish to cash.
To endorse the check, simply sign your name on the back and you’re done.
Step 2 – Cash your check
Once you’ve endorsed the check, it’s time to decide where you want to cash or deposit it.
As we mentioned earlier, most places that accept personal checks will also cash a check made out to you. This includes banks, supermarkets, and check cashing stores.
Also, some ATMs will allow you to cash a check made out to yourself.
Regardless of the check cashing method you choose, you must bring some form of identification. While you may not need to present identification, it is always best to come prepared.
See also: Can a check with an old address be used?
Is it legal to write a check to yourself?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to write a check in your name. You can use a personal check to withdraw money from your own checking account or to move money from one bank to another.
Can you write a check made out to yourself for mobile deposit?
Yes, you can write a check to yourself and have it deposited using mobile deposit. This can be a useful way to move money from one bank account to another when you have no other options.
Can you write a check in your name to deposit at another bank?
Yes, you can write a check in your name to deposit at another bank. This is a great way to move money between banks when you don’t have access to electronic transfers and/or don’t want to pay the fees associated with transferring money yourself.
Can you cash a check in your name at an ATM?
Yes, assuming the ATM accepts checks, you can write a check made out to yourself and cash it at an ATM. However, not all ATMs accept checks, so you may need to find another method to cash your check if the ATM is down.
Can you write yourself a check with insufficient funds?
No, if you write a check made out to yourself with insufficient funds, the check will bounce. Like any other check, a check written to you can only be cashed or deposited if there are enough funds in your account to cover it.
Is it weird to write you a check?
No, it’s not strange to write you a check; it’s actually quite a common practice. You can choose to write yourself a check to move money from one bank to another, withdraw cash, or pay yourself through your own business.
Bottom line
Writing a check to yourself is just like writing a check to anyone else—the only difference is that you’re the one who receives the funds.
Assuming you fill out the check correctly, you should have no problem cashing or depositing it. Simply endorse the check on the back, and most importantly, make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the check.
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