How to find cheap checks

If you’re out of checks and your financial institution doesn’t offer free or cheap checks, you have other options. Explore our guide on how to find checks that won’t break the bank.

Where to order cheap checks online

There are generally three places you can go to order free or cheap checks: a major retailer, your bank or an online printer. While shipping costs will vary, we’ve rounded up the cheapest standard checks in each of these three categories.

1. Major retailers

2. Online printers

3. Banks and credit unions

Compare checking accounts with free checks

Use the table to explore checking accounts that offer complimentary checks. Compare options by fees, including monthly service fees, ATM charges and overdraft penalties.

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Name	Product	Fee	ATM transaction fee	Nonsufficient funds fee	Foreign transaction fee
USAA Classic Checking		$0	$0	$29	1%	An online checking account means no driving around town, no waiting in line and no bankers' hours.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Advance Checking		$25 per month (can be waived)	$0	$35	3%	Get up to $270 (max. $50 per month) for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Advance checking account. Conditions apply. Deposit products are offered in the US by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Umpqua Attain Checking		$20 per month (can be waived)	$0	$35	2%	Easy banking for complicated lives.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
US Bank Student Checking		$0	$0	$36		A checking account can be a safe, convenient place to stash the cash you need for bills and other expenses.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
M&T Bank MyChoice Premium Checking		$24.95 per month (can be waived)	$0	$38.50	3%	Get up to $250 if you open a MyChoice Premium M&T checking account by March 2, 2020, and make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account opening.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Discover Cashback Debit		$0	$0	$0		Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Axos Bank Business Interest Checking		$10 per month (can be waived)	$0	$25		Earn up to 1.01% APY and pay no monthly maintenance fee with an average daily balance of at least $5,000.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ally Bank Interest Checking		$0	$0		1%	A checking account with no monthly maintenance fees, but a high minimum daily balance if you're looking to get a decent APY.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking		$0	$0		0%	Linked to a Schwab One brokerage account, this no-ATM-fee checking account can make managing all your finances simpler.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
USAA Youth Spending		$0	$2	$29	1%	Enjoy a checking account without the monthly service fees.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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4 steps to get cheap checks

If you want to order the cheapest checks possible, follow these simple strategies:

1. Check your bank. Many banks are starting to offer free checks with accounts. Before you explore your options online, reach out to a customer service representative and see if you can get free checks through your bank.
2. Look for promo codes. Search for promo codes online and see if any stores are offering discounts for ordering checks.
3. Bulk order checks. You’ll typically get a volume discount if you order several boxes of checks at once.
4. Choose simple designs. Skip the personalized checks and opt for the basic style. It may not be as pretty to look at, but it’ll save you a decent chunk of change.

What to consider when buying cheap checks

When ordering checks online, you’re required to enter sensitive information such as your account number and bank routing number. Safeguard against potential scams and protect your financial information by following these guidelines:

• Look for the CPSA certification. This certification ensures that the company produces checks that comply with the CPSA’s strict security regulations. Look for this certification icon on the company’s website before you buy any checks.
• Buy from a reputable source. If you’re thinking about ordering checks from a site you’ve never heard of, look for customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs or Trustpilot.
• Get trackable shipping. You don’t want your sensitive information getting into the wrong hands, so make sure you choose a printer that offers trackable shipping — that way you know if your checks get misplaced. Some places offer cheap checks with free shipping, but you may have to pay extra for a tracking number. Even if you do, the added peace of mind may be worth the extra cost.
• Make sure your checks are certified. To see if a check is certified by the CPSA, look for the padlock icon next to the Amount box on the check. If the padlock is there, you know it’s a certified check.

Fees to consider

There are a few fees to look out for when ordering and using checks:

• Check printing fee. Printing checks can get expensive quickly. Compare the cost of getting checks through your bank versus a major retailer or online printer to see which one is cheaper.
• Per check fee. Although not common, some banks may charge a fee each time you write a check or write more than a certain number of checks in a given time period.
• Overdraft fee. If you write a check that brings your account balance below $0, your bank will likely return the check and charge you a fee. Depending on the bank, overdraft fees are typically $35.
• Stop payment fee. If you lose a check or need to cancel it after it’s already been sent, you can request a stop payment. But the bank will charge you a fee.

5 things you need to order checks online

If you order checks through your bank, the only thing you may need to do is update your address if it changed. But if you order them online through a major retailer or online printer, make sure you have the following information on hand:

1. Personal information, including your name and address
2. Bank name and address
3. Account number
4. Routing number
5. Account type — personal or business

Bottom line

Although ordering checks from your bank may be the most convenient option, it may not be the most cost-effective. Ordering checks from a major retailer or online printer can be a great alternative. But make sure you buy from a reputable source that’s CPSA certified and offers trackable shipping.

As always, if you’d rather stick with buying checks from your bank, compare checking account options until you find one that offers cheap checks.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I print my own checks?

  Yes. But you’ll need a software that formats checks, a printer with magnetic ink and check stock paper that has security features that prevent your checks from being altered.

• What does a duplicate check mean?

  A duplicate check has a carbon copy behind it. When you fill out a check, the information you write is transferred onto the sheet behind it, so you have an exact replica for your records.

• Where can I get cheap checks for Quickbooks?

  You can find cheap Quickbooks checks on sites like ASAP Checks, Vistaprint and Costco.