Having checks is an important payment option for monthly bills and large expenses. Often times, your bank will provide you with your first box of checks when you open an account, but what do you do when you run out? Ordering checks online is a quick, easy way to get more checks delivered to your door. It may seem confusing at first, but this guide will help you compete your first online check purchase in no time.

How to Order Checks Online

1. Choose a company
2. Pick a design
3. Choose a Format
4. Pick a Quantity
5. Enter Your Banking Information
6. Enter Your Personal Information
7. Add Extras
8. Review Your Order
9. Finalize Your Purchase

Breaking Down the Steps

The first step in ordering checks is to choose a company to order from. If you already have checks, you may want to use the same company, or you can choose one of the many other companies out there - use a search engine to help you find options. Whatever company you choose, make sure they offer secure checkout and encrypt their website to protect your financial information.

Once you've chosen a company to order from, you get to the fun part - choosing your check design! Companies will have hundreds of options to choose from. Whether you're looking for something classic in a solid color or would love to have Disney characters on every check, there's an option that will suit your style.

After choosing the check design, you also need to select the format of the checks, either single or duplicate. Single format means that the check has just one layer, which you hand over to the cashier; duplicate format checks have a layer of carbon paper under each check which you keep. Single format check are generally less expensive, while duplicate checks have the added bonus of being able to look back at the checks you wrote, so choose which option is best for you.

You'll also need to choose how many checks to order. Check orders typically come in 1, 2, or 4 box quantities with roughly 100 checks per box. Most companies offer a discount for ordering more than one box of checks to save you money in the long run. Consider how many checks you plan to write and the likelihood of changing banks when deciding the quantity to order. If you plan to not write checks frequently or to change banks soon, it may be best to order fewer checks.

Your bank routing number and account number are printed directly on the checks. If you already have checks, this information can be found on the bottom left side of your checks; if not, ask your bank for this information. Enter the numbers into the boxes on the order screen exactly as the company describes. Your checks will not work if this information is incorrect, so be sure to read the directions on the screen.

Your personal information, including name, address, and phone number, are also printed on your checks. Add this information exactly as you want it to appear on the checks. You can customize this part of the check by using a full name or nickname, choosing to add a middle initial, or including the name of a partner whom you share the account with.

At this point, you can choose any additions to your order to personalize it. This could include a special font for your checks, additional security features, or matching address labels and checkbook covers.

Before finalizing your order, it's important to review the information you provided, especially the financial information, one last time. Make sure everything on your order is exactly as you want it. Enter your shipping and payment information, then place your order. Your checks are now on their way to you!