How to Correct Mistakes on a Check
Learn how to properly correct errors on checks, ensuring they remain valid and accepted without hassle.
Checks remain a common method of payment, yet mistakes can occur when filling them out. Knowing how to properly correct these errors is important to ensure the check remains valid and is accepted by financial institutions. This guide will clarify the appropriate steps for fixing common check errors, helping to prevent delays or issues with your payments.
Identifying and Correcting Errors
Mistakes on a check can often be corrected directly on the document. If the numerical or written amount is incorrect, draw a single, neat line through the erroneous entry. Write the correct amount clearly above or next to the crossed-out section. If there is a discrepancy between the numerical and written amounts, the amount written in words is considered the legal amount.
If the payee’s name is misspelled or incorrect, draw a single line through the incorrect name and write the correct payee name clearly above it. For an incorrect date, strike through the wrong date with a single line and write the accurate date in a clear space nearby. In all these instances, use a non-erasable, blue or black ink pen. After making any correction, you must initial the change directly next to the corrected information. This initialing serves as your authorization, indicating approval and helping prevent suspicions of fraud.
When to Void a Check
In some situations, voiding a check is better than attempting to correct it. If a check contains multiple errors, significant damage, or if the mistakes make the check illegible, it should be voided. For example, if both the numerical and written amounts are incorrect, or if the check is torn or crumpled, void it and issue a new one. An incorrect or missing signature cannot be corrected like other fields; such an error requires voiding the check and rewriting it.
To void a check, write the word “VOID” in large, clear letters across the entire front of the check, ensuring that the routing and account numbers at the bottom remain visible. Using a blue or black pen for this step helps ensure the marking is permanent and easily noticeable. Voiding a check renders it invalid for payment, preventing it from being accidentally or fraudulently cashed or deposited. It is also important to record the voided check number in your check register to maintain accurate financial records.
Ensuring Your Corrected Check is Accepted
After making corrections to a check, several factors contribute to its acceptance by financial institutions. All corrections, including your initials, must be perfectly legible and clear. Banks are vigilant against altered documents to prevent fraud, and any ambiguity in corrections can lead to rejection. Initialing every change authenticates the correction, signaling intentional alteration by the check’s issuer.
It is also important to update your personal check register or financial records to reflect the accurate information for the corrected check. While banks accept properly initialed corrections, their specific policies may vary. Adhering to these methods significantly increases the likelihood of your corrected check being processed without issue. If there is any doubt about the acceptability of a correction, contacting your bank for guidance is a prudent step.