How to Write a Certified Check
Writing a certified check is a way to guarantee to the payee that your check will not be returned for insufficient funds. With a certified check, your banking institution verifies that the proper amount of money is in your checking account, and it sets those funds aside. The funds for your certified check will not be released for any other reason, and will only leave the account once the check is processed.
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Instructions
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Write a personal check as normal. Fill in the date, payee name, both the numerical and written amount fields, and the memo field if so desired. Sign the bottom of the check.
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Take the check to the banking institution where you have your checking account, and tell them you would like to have it certified.
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Pay the fee to have the check certified. This is usually a small amount, between $1 and $5.
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Allow the bank to verify the funds in your account. This will require checking your account balance. The bank will then place the funds on hold so that they cannot be accessed for any other purpose or transaction.
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Have the bank stamp the check "Certified." It is now ready to give to the payee.
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Tips & Warnings
Other ways to pay with guaranteed funds include money orders and cashier's checks. The benefit of a certified check is there is no limit on the amount you may write the check for, other than the limit of money in your account; money orders and cashier's checks generally have upper amount limits. Certified checks are often confused with cashier's checks. Both have guaranteed funds and cost a small fee; the difference is that cashier's checks are printed up by the bank, and the funds are withdrawn from your account at the time of purchasing the cashier's check instead of when it clears.
