How to Properly Mail a Check in an Envelope

Mailing a check involves precise steps to ensure it reaches its intended recipient securely and efficiently. Checks remain a common way to handle various transactions, from paying bills to sending gifts. Understanding the proper procedure for preparing a check and its accompanying envelope can prevent delays and protect your financial information.

Preparing the Check

Before placing a check into an envelope, complete all fields accurately and legibly. Write the current date in the designated space, typically in the top right corner. Print the full name of the recipient on the “Pay to the order of” line. Use permanent ink, such as blue or black, to fill in all sections and reduce alteration risk.

Record the payment amount numerically in the small box near the payee line, including two decimal places, even for whole dollar amounts. On the line below the payee, write out the dollar amount in words, followed by cents as a fraction over 100 (e.g., “Twenty-five and 00/100”). Drawing a line through any remaining space after the written amount helps prevent unauthorized additions. Sign your name clearly on the signature line, typically in the bottom right corner, as this authorizes the payment.

Addressing the Envelope

Properly addressing the envelope ensures your check arrives at the correct destination. In the center of the envelope’s front, write the recipient’s full name or company name on the first line. Below that, include the complete street address, followed by the city, state, and zip code. Using capital letters for the entire recipient address can improve readability for automated sorting systems.

Your return address should be placed in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope. This includes your full name or company name, your street address, city, state, and zip code. A return address allows the postal service to return the envelope to you if it is undeliverable.

Assembling and Sending

Once the check is prepared and the envelope is addressed, the physical assembly and mailing process can begin. Consider folding the check within a blank piece of paper or an invoice stub before inserting it into the envelope to obscure it from view.

Fold the check in thirds or in half to fit neatly into a standard envelope, ensuring it lays flat. Carefully slide the folded check into the addressed envelope. Securely seal the envelope’s flap. Place a postage stamp in the upper right-hand corner of the envelope’s front, ensuring it does not cover any part of the addresses. Deposit the envelope into a U.S. Postal Service collection box or hand it directly to a mail carrier or at a post office.