Q&A for How to Fix Mistakes Made when Writing Checks

Sign the check again on the proper line. You can leave the first signature where it is if you like, or, if you prefer, you can cross it out and initial it. Either way the check is negotiable.

Yes, in most cases this should be accepted. Strike a single line through the surname and rewrite it correctly, then clearly initial beside the change. It is best if you use the same pen that you used to originally write out the check.

No, you'll need to contact the company that created your checks and tell them that the wrong account number is on them. Writing the right account number on the checks using a pen likely won't be accepted by a bank.

You can try, but it's likely that the bank won't accept it because it's a different name that will be written, not just a misspelling. Contact your bank to ask them before signing your initials, if possible.

You'll need to contact your ex husband and tell him that he wrote the wrong amount on the check--hopefully he'll send you a new one. It's not possible to fix the wrong check, so you'll need to rip it up and dispose of it either way.

See if you can easily correct the numbers, such as turning a 1 into a 4 and so on. If not, cross the wrong date out using a pen and write the correct date right above it.

If it clearly states your name instead of your husband's, it's likely the bank won't accept it. If you both have similar signatures, then it's more possible that it'll be okay.

Cross out the wrong date and write the correct one above it, putting your initials next to it to show that you authenticated it. Your bank should accept the correction.

Cross out the incorrect name using a blue or black pen, and write the correct name above it. Write your initials next to the correction to show that you approved it, and the bank should accept the check.

This type of mistake can't be corrected because the written out amount is the most important. You'll need to void the check and get another one if possible.

Yes you can type out the payee, amounts and memo on the bank and it must be signed by hand.

You should just cross out whole word. It looks neater and easier to read. Checks should be very neat.

Yes, that would be fine. You don't even have to put a line through the incorrect signature if you don't want to since it's not conveying any incorrect information. Just make sure you do sign in the correct spot as well.

Technically you should endorse it as Doug, but this is not a matter that most banks look closely at these days.

This is the case in the US, but not in all countries. It's likely that the person who provided the illustrations lives somewhere other than the US.

That's generally not a good idea. If this is a regular check, try shredding the check in question and just using a withdrawal form to take the funds from your account. If this is a cashier's check or money order, you definitely cannot modify the front; you should talk to your bank about how to redeem the funds, but the usual process is to write 'not used for purposes intended' in the endorsement spot on the back, and the bank can then redeposit the funds or cash them back to you.