What a certified check is and how to request one
A certified check is a personal check that your bank has verified and may provide. The bank stamps or marks the check to show it has confirmed that your account holds enough money to cover it, and the bank sets that money aside so it cannot be spent on anything else. When you hand a certified check to someone, they know the funds are there — the bank's name is on it as a may provide.
To get one, you visit your bank in person with a blank check from your account and the amount you want certified. The teller verifies your balance, stamps the check, and holds the funds. You then give the certified check to whoever needs it. The process usually takes a few minutes if you are already a customer, though some banks may ask you to wait while they process it.
Certified checks are different from cashier's checks, which the bank writes itself from its own account rather than from yours. Both carry the bank's may provide, but a certified check comes from your checkbook and a cashier's check comes from the bank's.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit your bank in person with a blank check from your account and request certification for a specific amount.
- The bank verifies your balance, stamps the check, and freezes those funds in your account until the check clears.
- Certified checks cost less than cashier's checks at most banks, typically between $5 and $15 per check.
- The recipient can deposit or cash the certified check like a regular check, but they know the funds are may provide by your bank.
Who can get a certified check
You must have an account at the bank where you want the check certified. Most banks will only certify checks drawn on accounts they hold. If you bank at Chase, you can get a certified check from Chase; if you bank at a credit union, you get it from that credit union.
You must also have enough money in your account to cover the amount you want certified. The bank will not certify a check for more than your current balance. Some banks require you to be the account holder whose name appears on the check; a few will certify checks for authorized signers on the account, but this varies by institution.
If you do not have a bank account, you cannot get a certified check. In that case, a cashier's check is the alternative — the bank writes it from its own funds, so you do not need an account there, only cash or a debit card to pay for it.
Steps to request a certified check
Go to your bank branch in person during business hours. You cannot request a certified check by phone, mail, or online; the bank needs to see you and verify your identity. Bring your ID and a blank check from your checkbook.
Tell the teller you want a check certified. Write the amount on the check or tell the teller the amount, and provide the name of the person or business the check is payable to. The teller will verify that your account has sufficient funds. Once confirmed, the teller will stamp or mark the check with the bank's certification and may write the certification number on it.
The bank will place a hold on those funds in your account. The amount stays frozen until the check is deposited and clears, which typically takes three to five business days. During that time, you cannot withdraw or spend that money, even though it is still in your account.
You receive the certified check when ready. Take it to the person or business you are paying. They can deposit it or cash it like a regular check, but they have the bank's may provide that the money is there.
Cost and timing
Most banks charge between $5 and $15 per certified check. Some banks offer a small number of certified checks free each month to customers with certain account types, such as premium checking or business accounts. Call your bank or check your account agreement to see what you are charged.
The certification itself takes a few minutes if you are already a customer and the funds are in your account. Some banks process it while you wait; others may ask you to return the next day. If your account is new or if there are any flags on it, the bank may take longer to verify and certify.
Once you have the certified check, the recipient can deposit or cash it when ready. The funds will clear within the standard time frame for checks, usually three to five business days. The hold on your account remains until the check clears.
When to use a certified check instead of a cashier's check
Use a certified check when you want to pay from your own account but need the bank's may provide. Common reasons include large real estate transactions, security deposits, or payments to government agencies that require proof the funds exist.
Certified checks cost less than cashier's checks at most banks. If you are paying a smaller amount and cost matters, a certified check may be the better choice. However, if you do not have a bank account, or if you want the bank to write the check itself rather than certify one from your account, a cashier's check is the only option.
Some recipients prefer one over the other. Real estate closings often ask for a cashier's check because it comes directly from the bank. Court payments and government agencies may accept either. Ask the person or business you are paying which they prefer before you go to the bank.
What happens if the certified check is not deposited
If the recipient does not deposit the certified check, the hold on your account will eventually expire. Most banks hold the funds for 90 days; after that, the hold is released and the money becomes available again. The exact time frame depends on your bank's policy.
If you need the money back before the hold expires, contact your bank. You can ask them to release the hold, though some banks charge a fee to do so. You will also need to retrieve the certified check from the recipient or confirm it has been destroyed so it cannot be cashed later.
If a certified check is lost or stolen, contact your bank when ready. The bank can place a stop payment on it, which prevents anyone else from cashing it. You may be able to get a replacement certified check, though the bank may charge a fee.
Certified checks versus other payment methods
| Payment Method | Who Writes It | Requires Bank Account | Cost | may provide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Check | You, from your account | Yes | $5–$15 typically | Bank verifies and holds funds |
| Cashier's Check | Bank, from its account | No | $10–$20 typically | Bank's own funds may provide it |
| Personal Check | You, from your account | Yes | Free | None; recipient assumes risk |
| Wire Transfer | Bank moves funds electronically | Yes | $15–$50 typically | Funds move when ready |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a certified check for someone else's account?
No. A certified check must be drawn on an account in your name, and you must be present to request it. If you want to certify a check for another person's account, that person must go to the bank themselves. Some banks allow authorized signers on an account to request certification, but policies vary.
What if I write the wrong amount on the check before I ask the bank to certify it?
Tell the teller the correct amount before certification. Do not cross out or alter the check yourself. The teller will either certify the check as written or advise you to use a different blank check with the correct amount. Once a check is certified, it cannot be altered.
How long does a certified check stay good?
A certified check does not expire, but banks may refuse to honor one that is very old — typically six months or more. If a long time has passed, contact your bank or the recipient's bank to confirm it will still be accepted. For time-sensitive payments, do not delay depositing a certified check.
Can I cancel a certified check after the bank certifies it?
You can ask your bank to cancel it and release the hold on your funds, but the bank may charge a fee. You will need to provide the certified check itself or confirm it has been destroyed. If the check has already been deposited, cancellation is not possible.
Do I need a certified check or will a regular personal check work?
That depends on who you are paying. Large transactions, government agencies, and some businesses require a certified check or cashier's check because they need proof the funds exist. For everyday payments, a personal check is fine. Ask the recipient what they need before you go to the bank.