A certified check is a check that is guaranteed to be “good” and protected from any form of dishonor or loss of funds. It is a check from a bank or other financial institution that bears the signature of the institution’s representative and a special certification that guarantees payment of the funds when the check is presented for payment.
Certified checks are typically used when a person needs to make a payment with a guarantee that the funds will be available. An example of a situation that may require a certified check is when a car buyer wants to buy from a dealer. The buyer may provide the dealer with a certified check to guarantee that the funds will be available for the purchase.
In order to acquire a certified check, the account holder must have the full funds in their account to cover the check amount plus any fees for the bank to certify it. Furthermore, the customer must sign the check in the presence of the financial institution’s representative for the certification to be valid. This representative will also add a stamp of authentication that indicates the check is certified and protected.
Why Use a Certified Check?
The main advantage of a certified check is the guarantee that the funds are secure and the bank or financial institution will cover any costs resulting from dishonor. Generally speaking, a certified check also eliminates processing time as the transaction is nearly instant, meaning the buyer can walk away with their purchase right away.
Other benefits of using a certified check include the fact that it has a greater degree of trust as both sides are assured that the payment has been secured, and it also serves as a document trail of the transaction between the buyer and the seller.