Bank Checking Account: What are Starter Checks?

When you open your bank account you were probably given a temporary supply of checks to use when the need arises. Those checks are called starter checks. Your supply was probably about 5 to 7. Starter checks look similar to your own personal checks except the number in the right hand corner probably starts with a one.

Starter checks also don't have your name or address, phone number or any of your personal information. If you choose to you can add that information. Starter checks will have your checking account number and the bank routing number which is a nine digit number of your check which precedes the account number. These checks can be used just like your personal checks.

Some retail outlets are skeptical of accepting starter checks because the low number in the upper right hand corner. They fear some type of fraud may be involved. In some cases they will call your bank to verify that the check is okay to accept.

You should receive a box of standard checks in the mail in approximately 7 to 10 days after you have opened your checking account. Your checks will have all of your personal information including your name, address and phone number if you requested that it be added during the time the order was taken. Once you receive your checks you can start using them immediately.

Every so often people that open new checking accounts will run out of starter checks before their new order of checks arrive. In a situation such as that you can always go to one of your banks branches and ask a teller for some counter checks. Counter checks look like the starter checks except your account number is not on them initially. The only number on these checks is the bank routing number. Some banks will print out your personal information such as name and address right on the checks and some banks will allow you to write that information on the check yourself.

Banks used to give counter checks for free but more banks have gone to a policy of charging a small fee for these checks. Normally the fee is about $1 per check. If you can wait for your checks to arrive it would be a good idea to wait. There is no sense in paying an unnecessary fee when you don't have especially during these tough economic times.