What Is a Certified Check, and How Do You Get One?

Check fraud is common, so if you plan on making a large purchase with a personal check, the seller may not be comfortable accepting it. One way to better ensure a smooth transaction is to use a certified check.

A certified check is a personal check guaranteed by the issuing bank. This type of check has the account holder’s signature, but the bank verifies and guarantees that the account holder has enough cash in their account to cover the check, thus ensuring the check doesn’t bounce.

Let’s take a closer look at how certified checks work and when you might need to acquire one from your bank.

A certified check is a personal check that can be issued by a bank or credit union. While certified checks are still signed with the account holder’s name, they differ from traditional personal checks in that a bank representative will verify that the payer’s account has enough money to cover the amount on the check. Most banks will then earmark the necessary funds to ensure the check will clear whenever it’s cashed.

The difference between a certified check and the more common cashier’s check is that certified checks are still technically personal checks. Although it’s unlikely, it is still possible for certified checks to bounce. This is because, like normal personal checks, the funds backing certified checks only come from the balance in the payer’s account. Some banks will refuse to release designated funds for any other purpose, but that doesn’t mitigate all potential risks.

Cashier’s checks and certified checks are preferable — and sometimes required — when making a large purchase, such as a down payment on a house or a car. Some landlords may also ask you for a certified check for your security deposit.

The main benefit of official checks, like certified and cashier’s checks, is that they minimize check fraud. Official checks come with varying levels of guarantee from the bank that there will be enough money available for the payment to clear.

Another benefit of using a certified check for payment is that it will make the transaction much faster: many certified checks will clear the funds from a bank account in only one business day.

Getting a certified check is similar to getting a money order. In order to get a certified check from your bank, you will need to take the following steps:

The exact fee for official checks will vary by bank or credit union, but most financial institutions will charge customers between $10 and $20 per check.

Certified checks are not as common as they once were, as banks and credit unions have been transitioning away from them over the years. If you need an official check for a large transaction but your financial institution doesn’t offer certified checks, you can probably request a cashier’s check instead.

The process will be slightly different — you will need to pay for the check upfront and provide the teller with specific information, such as the purpose of the payment and the exact name of the business or payee for whom you’re requesting the check — but a cashier’s check will still serve the same use as a guaranteed payment option.

While certified and cashier’s checks are similar in many ways, cashier’s checks tend to be the more secure option overall. Although both are guaranteed checks, it is still possible for a certified check to bounce due to insufficient funds. A cashier’s check, on the other hand, is backed by the financial institution that issues it.

Once a cashier’s check is issued, the bank ensures that the check will clear by covering the payment from the bank’s account. This means a certified check will have the account number of the person writing the check, but a cashier’s check will have the account information of the financial institution itself.

If you want to verify the legitimacy of a certified check, you should call the issuing bank. Legitimate certified checks may have the bank’s phone number printed on the back of the check. If the number isn’t printed on the check, you should be able to look up the issuing bank’s phone number online.

Depending on the bank’s customer service policies, you may need to contact the institution during a business day. If you are worried about a possibly fraudulent check, make sure to conduct the transaction during normal business hours so that you can call the bank immediately upon receiving the check.

Before you can request a certified or cashier’s check to cover your next big purchase, you’ll need a good checking account at a reliable financial institution. Fortunately, SuperMoney can help! Compare checking accounts at traditional banks and online banks using our comparison tool and find the best checking account for your needs!