How to Format Checks on a Joint Account

A joint account allows two people to write checks from a single pool of money. Many married couples combine resources this way for checking purposes because it makes it easier to pay for different obligations.

Most checking accounts come with a free debit card for accessing funds. Each person on the joint account receives one, but that rule doesn’t apply to checks.

If you want both people to have the authority to write checks, their names will need to appear on the banking product. Most institutions won’t let only one person’s name appear on a joint account, but it is possible.

Business partners, domestic partnerships, and other relationships can also benefit from having a joint account. The checks are formatted the same as an individualized account, with two names on the check instead of only one.

How to Format Checks on a Joint Account

When couples or partners have a joint account, their names are typically preprinted on the left upper-hand portion of the check. Since both people have an equal claim to the account’s assets, it doesn’t matter whose name is on top. Either person can sign the check to authorize the amount stated on the product.

Unless the bank or credit union has specific formatting rules for joint account checks, you can have your name appear in whatever way you prefer. The only stipulation is that there cannot be any confusion between the information on the check and the account.

Let’s use the common monikers “John and Jane Doe” to review the different ways that names can be printed on checks. For this example, let’s say this couple just got married, she changed her last name, and they’ve opened a checking account together at a local bank.

The checks can be formatted in several different ways since both people have equal access to the account. Here are the most common examples used today.

John Doe and Jane Doe are on separate lines.
John and Jane Doe on the first line.
Jane Doe and John Doe are on separate lines.
Jane and John Doe on the first line.
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe on the first line.
Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Done on the first line.

Some couples want to be accountable to each other when writing checks, especially when a relationship is new. In those circumstances, you might include “and” on the check to ensure both people need to sign it.

If you don’t want that extra security precaution, exclude “and” from the name line to avoid any confusion.

Each bank and credit union may have different formatting expectations with their checking accounts. It helps to review the terms and conditions at your local branch or financial institution to ensure you’ve got everything set up as needed.

The person’s full name should always be used. If someone goes by “Mia,” but their legal name is Amelia, then the latter should be printed on the check.

If you and a partner have a business that you operate together, the business name should also appear on the check.

All this information should appear in the upper left-hand corner of the banking product.

Are There Any Preprinted Bank Rules to Follow?

In the United States, there are currently no bank rules to follow regarding how names and addresses get printed on checks for joint accounts.

The only preprinted information that must be on a check is the routing number for the financial institution and the joint account number. This data gets printed along the document’s bottom edge.

Some businesses will not accept a check unless it has a preprinted name and address. That’s why investing in preprinted checks can make it easier to process payments.

When you first open a joint checking account, most banks and credit unions issue temporary checks to access funds. These don’t have your name or address on the document, but they offer a place for you to fill out the information manually.

Some companies won’t accept these checks as payment, so you’ll want to ask in advance before writing everything.

Can I Print My Own Checks to Use?

Several software programs and apps allow you to print joint checks to access your checking account at home. Most money management programs have options that provide this feature.

When you decide to print your own checks at home, you’ll need to invest in the special paper that authorizes these funds.

Check paper is specifically designed to prevent someone from changing the written information you’ve printed on the material. Your printer must also use magnetic ink to ensure the amount is authorized by you or your partner.

The magnetic ink allows non-optical readers at banks and credit unions to read and understand your routing and account numbers.

Although you can print some checks with standard printer ink, the recipient’s financial institution might not accept the document. Once the cost of purchasing blank checks, magnetic ink, and other factors are considered, it’s often more affordable for people to purchase preprinted products.

How to Write a Check on My Computer

Computer software focused on personal finance is easy to use. This resource also provides a convenient way to manage accounts at home while keeping your important information in one accessible space.

Several different options after available in the marketplace, and each one has different pros and cons to consider.

Some versions offer an online-only option, while others send you a disc or a code for a direct download.

These products allow you to print the payee’s name on the check, their address and yours, and the amount. Once you’ve authorized the payment, the transaction information gets recorded by the register.

Each product has a similar process when creating checks for a joint account, but there can be some differences in the specific steps. Here is a general overview of what to expect when you want to write checks on a computer.

Open your checking account in your preferred accounting software. Always double-check to see that you’re in the place from which you want to extract funds.
Click on the menu or dropdown bar that lets you access your cash flow.
Choose the option that lets the software write checks on your selected account. A new window typically appears once you’ve initiated this process.
Fill in the check information. The process is the same as writing a regular check, but you’re typing in the fields to eliminate the blank areas. You’ll need to enter the date, payee information, amount, and any memos you want to be included.
Review the banking information on the top or bottom of the check (the placement is variable). You should also look to see if your joint checking account information is correct.
Choose the category for printing the check. These options are already established when setting up your accounting software to help you address specific bills or obligations. If your payment fits into more than one category, select an additional by choosing the split or assignment commands.
Record the check according to the instructions provided by your accounting software. This command sends the information to the printing queue.
Load the check paper and magnetic ink into the printed if it hasn’t been done already. Adjust the holder tabs to ensure your feed is correct.
Click on the print command in your software.
If you need to rerun a check because of a printing error, you might need to pull up the authorized amount instead of writing a new one to prevent double entries.

Are the Rules Different for Encoded Checks?

Any document or check printed with MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) can be processed automatically because a computer can read the information.

MICR uses a different font and unique ink to print the routing and account numbers of personal or professional checks. This technology was first introduced in the 1950s to streamline data processing, and it is still used by many financial institutions.

If you want to use encoded checks, your only choice in the United States is to purchase E-13B ink.

VersainkNANO provides a super-yield cartridge with different shapes to fit numerous at-home prints. It delivers MICR-compliant black ink to create 100% compliant checks when used as instructed. The signal performance is exceptional with this product, exceeding the compliance rules in the United States and Canada.

The print quality remains crisp and clear. Once printed, it only takes a moment to dry enough to resist smudging and smearing.

When businesses print a significant volume of checks, MICR ink is often used for the amount to be issued and the signature of the authorized party.

The advantages of using MICR ink for encoding are numerous.

It saves time and money because you can process many more checks compared to writing them out by hand.
Banks and credit unions can process this information without requiring manual input.
Fewer errors occur in the banking industry because the information is encoded into the document from data contained in the software used for printing.

The disadvantage of MICR ink and encoding involves the precision required for the ink placement and font creation. If the alignment is only off by a little, the automatic processing benefits are lost.

Most couples who have joint accounts will find that the time, cost, and expense of getting accounting software, MICR ink, and check paper is greater than ordering preprinted checks from their financial institution or a third-party provider.

Should I Open a Joint Account with My Partner?

Joint accounts are personal decisions that people must make together. Married couples often choose this option because it is convenient, but it is also possible to maintain separate registers. Business partners can benefit from this structure to simplify accounts payable and receivable.

A joint checking account makes sense when you have two people who work closely together, personally or professionally, because it simplifies money access.

With one set of checks, both people can authorize access to the funds kept in the account. That makes it easier to pay the rent, keep up with the mortgage, and pay all the other bills that families face daily.

Businesses benefit when a partnership structure or a joint sole proprietorship has a separate account that two people need to access jointly for the same reasons.

Different rules may apply based on the terms and conditions of your bank or credit union. I’ve found it helpful to ask questions about how to format checks correctly in person to avoid miscommunication.