Does check address matter?

Summary of the Article

Having your address on a check is technically optional, but many merchants will want or expect to see it. Banks may refuse to cash checks due to insufficient funds or other reasons such as unreadable or invalid account and routing numbers, improper formatting, a missing or invalid signature, or the elapse of too much time since the printed date. Although legally there is no requirement for the name of the maker on a check, using checks with names that do not match the ID may cause issues with merchants. The correct address is not a requirement of a valid check, but changing the address in your bank’s record is important.

When writing a check, it is important to include the date, specify the recipient, write the payment amount in numbers and words, add a memo, and sign the check. While it is possible to use a check with an old, incorrect address, ordering new checks with the correct address is recommended to avoid confusion. Checks may bounce due to various reasons including insufficient funds, closed accounts, stop payment orders, incorrect writing, old checks, and fraudulence. As long as the routing and account numbers on the check are accurate, checks with old addresses can still be used. Changing the address on checks can be done by strikethrough and writing the new address above the old one.

If a check is sent to the wrong address, the check writer should contact their bank and issue another check. Depositing a check into someone else’s account is possible by presenting the check to the teller along with the recipient’s name and account number, but funds may not be immediately available.

Questions and Detailed Answers

1. Does your name and address have to be on a check?
Having your address on a check is technically optional, but many merchants will want or expect to see it. You can always write your current address on the check.

2. What makes a check invalid?
The main reason banks refuse to cash checks is due to insufficient funds, but checks can be rejected for other reasons, too, including unreadable or invalid account and routing numbers, improper formatting, a missing or invalid signature, or the elapse of too much time since the printed date.

3. Does the name on a check matter?
Legally, there is no requirement that a check have the name of the maker, as long as the bank can identify the account. You may run into problems trying to use checks with merchants when the name does not match that on your ID.

4. Can I deposit a check with a different address?
Correct address is not a requirement of a valid check. You may cross off the address and write the new address under it or in the memo line or put a sticker over the old address. Be sure to change the address in your bank’s record though.

5. What information must be on a check?
To properly write a check, you need to include the date, specify the recipient, write the payment amount in numbers and words, add a memo, and sign the check.

6. Are checks invalid if the address is wrong?
As long as the routing and account numbers on the check are accurate, it’s possible to use a check with an old, incorrect address on it. That said, it’s a good idea to order new checks with the correct address on them to help lessen any confusion the wrong address might cause with check recipients.

7. What can cause a check to bounce?
There are a variety of reasons a check might bounce, including: lack of funds in the account, closure of the account, a stop payment order, improper writing of the check, the check being too old, or the check being fraudulent.

8. Can I use checks with an old address?
You can still use a check with an old address if it has the correct routing and account numbers. Financial institutions use routing and account numbers to identify which bank and account money should come from to pay a check.

9. Can I cross out my old address on a check?
There are a few different ways to change the address on your checks. Remember that whichever option you choose, never cover up the routing or account numbers. The simplest and cheapest way is to simply strikethrough using a blue or black pen and write the new address above the old one.

10. What happens if a check is sent to the wrong address?
The check writer should contact their bank and while awaiting that resolution, should send you another check.

11. Can I deposit a check in someone else’s account?
A check can be deposited into another person’s account at a branch when you present it to the teller, along with the recipient’s name and account number. Unlike cash, the downside is your bank won’t always make the funds available immediately.