What Is a Certified Check?

While making a big purchase, you’ll likely be asked for a certified check. This form of payment is more secure for the recipient than a personal check because the issuing bank verifies your signature and confirms you have enough money to cover the check.

Learn more about certified checks, including where and how to get them, and how to avoid certified check fraud.

What is a certified check?

A certified check is a personal check that draws funds directly from your checking account, but your bank or credit union verifies and guarantees your payment. The teller stamps or marks the check and signs it to certify its validity or show that it has been certified.

The certification process earmarks the funds for the check, meaning you cannot spend the money. This eliminates the risks of a personal check bouncing.

Certified checks, also known as official checks, are available from banks and credit unions, usually for a fee.

When do you use a certified check?

Certified checks are primarily used for large transactions or when you need to provide a guaranteed form of payment. For example, you might use a certified check for a real estate deal, a down payment on a home or a pricey appliance purchase.

A certified check can be particularly useful when accepting money from a stranger to complete a transaction. The bank guarantee can help to put you at ease.

This payment method also pops up at auctions. If you win the auction, you can make out the certified check to yourself and sign it over to the seller.

Note that not everyone accepts certified checks. Cashier’s checks may be preferred in some cases. Confirm the preferred payment method before heading to your bank or credit union to get a check.

How much does a certified check cost?

A certified check typically costs $15 to $20, slightly more than a cashier’s check, usually costing $10 to $15. However, fees can vary by bank. For instance, Chase offers certified checks for free to all account holders. Others, like Wells Fargo and TD Bank, charge a $10 fee.

The cost of a certified check can also depend on your account relationship with your bank or credit union. Citi, for example, charges $10 for Everyday Benefits tier customers but waives the fee if your balance qualifies for higher relationship tiers, such as Citi Priority, Citigold or Citigold Private Client.

Some banks, including Capital One and U.S. Bank, do not offer certified checks but issue cashier’s checks instead.

To learn what products your financial institution offers and how much they cost, contact customer service or stop by your local branch.

How to get a certified check

If you want a certified check, first find out whether you can get one through your bank. Some banks may only offer cashier’s checks, for instance. In that case, you'll need to inquire if the recipient would accept this alternative (more on that later).

After you verify that your bank offers certified checks, you will need to go to a local branch to request one — you can’t get a certified check online or through a mobile app.

Bring a government-issued photo ID to the bank to confirm your identity. If your signature on file with your bank is outdated, you might be asked to update it before purchasing a certified check. You will also need to bring your checkbook.

Next, you’ll write the check in front of a bank teller. Make sure you have the recipient’s name, address and phone number, and that you’ve double-checked the spelling.

The teller will check your account to ensure you have sufficient funds and then certify the check with a stamp, seal or other marking. You then pay the required fee to the bank and collect the receipt. Keep the receipt until the check clears.

How is a certified check different from a cashier’s check?

Several key factors distinguish a certified check from a cashier’s check. A certified check is guaranteed by funds from your personal account, but a cashier’s check is backed by funds from the bank’s own account after you pay the designated amount upfront.

Cashier’s checks can protect those looking to keep their payment information private. Because the bank writes the check, you don't reveal your bank account information.

A cashier’s check is considered safer than a certified check because it generally includes more security measures and is signed by the bank rather than the customer.

Here’s an overview of the differences between certified versus cashier’s checks:

How to avoid certified check fraud

Certified checks are secure and carry no risk of bouncing because the account holder’s bank or credit union has verified the availability of funds. Still, take steps to confirm that a certified check is not counterfeit and avoid getting scammed by check fraud.

When you receive a certified check, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) recommends verifying the bank's name to ensure it is a legitimate financial institution. Next, examine the check's watermark or seal to see if it looks correct.

Even if the name and images on the check seem correct, call the issuing financial institution to verify the check’s authenticity. Do not use the number listed on the check itself. Instead, look up the company’s official website, locate the contact information, and call the official phone number to validate the check.

What are alternatives to certified checks?

Money orders

You can buy money orders at various locations, such as supermarkets, convenience stores and post offices, using a debit card or cash. As with cashier’s checks, you prepay the full amount. Money orders usually have a limit on the amount of money, but they often cost less than cashier’s checks.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments

You can send money via digital payment options such as Venmo, Zelle or PayPal, but certified checks offer more security. There may be limits on how much you can send in one payment, and some platforms may charge extra fees for faster transfers.

Wire transfers

Domestic wire transfers move money from one bank account to another in the same country. The fees to send money can be high — up to about $35 for domestic senders — and payments are irreversible. If you can use a wire transfer, it's crucial to confirm all payment information before submitting the transfer request because it's usually irreversible. And watch out for scams.

Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments

These transactions are slower and less expensive than wire transfers because they use the ACH network, which handles transactions in automated batches. Unlike wire transfers, ACH payments are generally reversible.