The following information is required to cash or deposit a check. If one or more of these items is missing or incorrect, we (U.S. Bank) may not be able to accept the check. These requirements apply to checks deposited, regardless of the method that was used¹.

• Check date: The issue date listed on the check should be within the last six months.
• Pay to the Order of: The check must have a payee² name listed.
• Numeric amount: The amount shown in numbers must match the written amount and be listed in U.S. dollars.
• Written amount: The amount written must match the numeric amount and be listed in U.S. dollars.
  • The amount that’s written can either be spelled out or in numeric form.
  •  The written amount takes legal precedence over the numeric amount when there is a discrepancy.
• Account and routing/transit numbers: The account number the funds will be taken from and the nine-digit routing number of the drawee bank³. These are usually found on the bottom of the check.
  See also: How to find your routing number | Check Information
• Maker’s signature: The maker's⁴ signature must be on the signature line of the check.
• Drawee bank: The drawee bank must be a financial institution in the United States.

More information

• Treasury checks older than one year from the issued date are automatically voided by the Department of Treasury and cannot be cashed. For assistance in this situation, contact the Department of Treasury directly.
• Foreign checks may be accepted at a branch for deposit; however, they cannot be cashed and aren't eligible for mobile check deposit.

¹Ways to make a deposit include, but aren’t limited to, an ATM deposit, mobile check deposit, teller deposit, overnight deposit, etc.
²The payee is the person getting paid.
³The drawee bank is the financial institution the check pulls funds from.
⁴The maker is the person or business that wrote the check.