A counter check at a bank is a temporary check a teller prints for you on the spot, drawing from your checking account the same way a regular personal check would. You get one by walking into a branch with photo ID. It fills the gap when you’ve run out of checks or your reordered checkbook hasn’t arrived, but it lacks the pre-printed name, address, and check number found on standard checks, and many payees refuse to accept it for that reason.
How It Differs From a Regular Personal Check
A standard personal check comes pre-printed with your name, address, bank routing number, account number, and a sequential check number. A counter check has only the routing and account numbers encoded along the bottom in magnetic ink, which lets it move through the same automated clearing systems as any other check.1The ANSI Blog. MICR Specifications for Checks in ASC X9 Standards Everything else you write in by hand: your name and address, the payee, the date, and the amount.
You’ll sometimes hear these called starter checks. In practice the terms overlap, though “starter check” more often refers to the temporary checks handed out when you first open an account, while “counter check” describes one printed on demand later. The product is the same either way: a non-personalized, non-numbered check missing most of the security features merchants look for.
How to Get a Counter Check
You have to visit a branch in person. Banks won’t mail counter checks, and there’s no way to request them through an app or website. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. The teller will verify your identity, confirm your account, and check that your balance covers what you need.
Most banks limit you to a small number per visit, often one to five checks on a single printed sheet. The teller may stamp or initial each check. Before you leave, confirm the routing and account numbers printed on the sheet, since a printing error would cause the check to bounce.
What It Costs
Expect to pay roughly $1 to $3 per sheet, with each sheet holding three or four checks. Northeast Bank, for example, charges $3.00 per sheet of four.2Northeast Bank. Standard Fees Some institutions charge per individual check instead. The fee is typically deducted from your account when the checks are printed. That’s noticeably cheaper than a cashier’s check, which generally runs $5 to $15.
If You Bank Online-Only
Counter checks aren’t available if your bank has no physical branches. Most online banks offer bill pay that will mail a check to a payee on your behalf, but delivery takes several business days. For anything time-sensitive, look at the alternatives further down.
How to Fill One Out
Writing a counter check follows the same steps as any personal check, plus one addition: you handwrite your personal information in the upper-left corner, since it isn’t pre-printed.
- Write your full name and address in the upper-left corner.
- Enter the current date in the upper-right corner.3U.S. Bank. How to Write a Check
- Write the recipient’s full name on the “Pay to the Order of” line.4Citizens. How to Write a Check
- Enter the dollar amount in the small box next to the dollar sign. Fill the box so no digits can be added.
- Write the same amount in words on the line below the payee’s name, with cents as a fraction over 100.4Citizens. How to Write a Check
- Sign the signature line at the bottom right. Without a signature the check is invalid.3U.S. Bank. How to Write a Check
Since the check carries none of your printed information, the payee may ask for extra identification. Having your driver’s license ready speeds things along.
Why Payees Often Refuse Them
The real problem with a counter check is getting someone to take it. Checks aren’t legal tender, so no business or agency has to accept one, and counter checks draw the most suspicion. A regular personal check gives the recipient your printed name, address, and a sequential number to reference if there’s a problem later. A counter check offers almost none of that, which makes it harder to trace and easier to forge.
Government offices and utility companies are frequent refusers. Some municipalities explicitly prohibit temporary checks for payments like business license fees or property taxes. Landlords and property managers commonly reject them too, particularly for first-month rent where no payment history exists. Insurance companies have been known to decline them for setting up premium payments.
Retailers vary. Large chains with automated check verification may process a counter check like any other, while smaller businesses reviewing checks manually will often refuse. Call ahead and confirm with the payee before making the trip.
Alternatives That Usually Work Better
If the payee won’t take a counter check, or you want a payment method with less friction, several options work better.
- A cashier’s check is drawn against the bank’s own funds, so it carries virtually no risk of bouncing. Expect $5 to $15, and you’ll need a branch where you hold an account. This is the standard choice for real estate closings and vehicle purchases.5Citizens. Cashier’s Check vs. Money Order vs. Certified Check
- Money orders are available at post offices, grocery stores, and convenience stores without a bank account. Maximum is usually around $1,000 per order, plus a small fee.
- Wire transfers work best for large amounts that need to arrive the same day. Domestic wires typically run around $25 to send.
- Peer-to-peer apps like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal move money instantly from a linked bank account. They’re fine for person-to-person payments but aren’t always accepted by businesses or government agencies.
- Online bill pay through your bank will mail a physical check to any payee, usually at no cost, though delivery takes a few business days.
A counter check is the right tool when you need a paper check today, the amount doesn’t justify a cashier’s check fee, and you’ve confirmed the payee will accept it. Outside that narrow window, one of the options above is smoother. And if you’re simply between checkbooks, reordering through your bank’s website or app usually gets a new set to your door within a week.