What Is a Certified Check and How to Get One

Certified Check Definition

Certified check definition: a certified check is a personal check that has been verified and formally guaranteed by the bank on which it is drawn. The bank confirms two things when it certifies a check: that the account holder's signature on the check is authentic, and that sufficient funds exist in the account to cover the check amount. The bank then earmarks those funds, preventing the account holder from spending that money on anything else until the check is cashed, and stamps or signs the check to indicate certification.

The result is a payment instrument that carries both the account holder's identity as the payer and the bank's guarantee that the check will clear. A certified check is not the bank's own check (that is a cashier's check), but it has been elevated above a personal check by the bank's certification and the legal obligation it creates.

Certified checks are primarily used for large, trust-sensitive payments where the recipient needs assurance that the funds are real and available, but where the payer's identity (rather than the bank's identity) needs to appear as the payment source.

How Does a Certified Check Work

Certified check bank verification: when you present a personal check for certification, the bank's teller or banker follows a specific process. First, they verify your identity with government-issued photo ID. Second, they verify your signature on the check against your signature on file for the account. Third, they confirm that your account has sufficient available funds to cover the check amount. Fourth, they place a hold on (earmark) those exact funds in your account, separating them from your freely available balance so they cannot be spent or withdrawn before the check is presented.

Certified check funds reserved: the key distinction here is that the funds do not leave your account at the time of certification. They remain in your account but are no longer available to you. Citi's certified check guide confirms: "Even though the money remains in your account until the recipient deposits or cashes the check, certification ensures the funds are reserved. The check will not bounce as long as there are no other issues."

After the bank earmarks the funds, it signs the check (a bank officer's or teller's signature alongside the certification stamp) and adds a stamp, mark, or notation on the check face indicating it is certified. The check is then returned to you to deliver to the payee.

When the payee deposits or cashes the certified check, the earmarked funds transfer from your account to the payee. The bank's certification obligation is fulfilled.

The UCC 3-409 Legal Mechanism

Certified check UCC 3-409: the legal definition and effect of a certified check are established by Uniform Commercial Code Section 3-409(d), which states: "Certified check means a check accepted by the bank on which it is drawn. Acceptance may be made as stated in subsection (a) or by a writing on the check which indicates that the check is certified. The drawee of a check has no obligation to certify the check, and refusal to certify is not dishonor of the check."

Several points from this statutory language are worth understanding:

First, certification is legally equivalent to "acceptance" under the UCC. When a bank accepts a check by certifying it, the bank becomes primarily liable to pay the check when it is presented. This shifts the primary obligation from the account holder to the bank, making the certified check more reliable from the payee's perspective.

Second, the bank has no legal obligation to certify any check. Experian's guide notes: "Some banks and credit unions don't offer certified checks at all." A bank that declines to certify your check has not dishonored the check in the legal sense; it has simply exercised its right not to offer the service.

Third, certification can be made in multiple ways: either through the bank's formal acceptance process or through any writing on the check that indicates certification. The practical effect is the same: the bank becomes the obligated party for payment.

Who Signs a Certified Check

Certified check who signs: both the account holder and the bank sign a certified check. The account holder writes the check and signs it as the payer in the signature field, exactly as with any personal check. The bank then adds its own signature or certification mark. Experian confirms: "Your signature will also appear on the check, and you will be listed as the payer."

This two-signature structure is one of the primary distinctions between a certified check and a cashier's check. On a cashier's check, only a bank official signs; the account holder does not appear as the payer. On a certified check, the account holder is visibly the payer, with the bank's certification overlaid. This matters for business relationships and legal documentation where the identity of the paying party is relevant.

Certified check bank signature stamp: the bank's certification typically takes the form of a rubber stamp that reads "CERTIFIED" with the date and a bank official's initials or signature. Some banks use a more elaborate certification process with multiple bank signatures. The exact form varies by institution but must make clear that the check is certified.

Where the Funds Go After Certification

Certified check funds from whose account: the funds for a certified check come from the account holder's personal checking account, not from the bank's own funds. This is the technical accounting distinction between a certified check and a cashier's check.

With a certified check, the account holder's account shows the earmarked amount as unavailable but the balance still appears in the account (reduced by the earmarked amount in terms of available balance). The bank has not yet received the money; it holds a reservation on funds that remain technically the account holder's property until the check clears.

With a cashier's check, the bank immediately transfers the funds from the account holder's account to the bank's own account at the time of issuance. The bank then becomes the payer from its own funds. Investopedia confirms: "A certified check does not draw funds right away from an account holder's account; the money stays in their account until the check is cashed. A cashier's check, on the other hand, immediately withdraws the funds from an account and is then held by the bank until the payee cashes the check."

Certified Check vs Cashier's Check

Certified check vs cashier check difference: the three most practically important differences are who issues the check, where the funds are held, and which is more widely available.

Who Issues the Check

Certified check: issued (written) by the account holder, then verified and certified by the bank. The payer on the check is you. A cashier's check is issued by the bank itself, signed by a bank official. The payer on the check is the bank.

Where the Funds Are Held

Certified check: funds remain in the account holder's account, earmarked (reserved) so they cannot be spent. Cashier's check: funds are immediately transferred from the account holder's account to the bank's own account at issuance. From the payee's perspective, a cashier's check is marginally more secure because the funds are already held by the bank rather than still technically in an individual's account.

Availability and Cost

Certified check fee by bank: Capital One's comparison confirms "a financial institution charges from $10 to $15 for a cashier's check and $15 to $20 for a certified check." Bankrate's guide places certified check fees at $10-$20. On availability: "Where can you get it? Cashier's check: in person or online from your bank. Certified check: in person and only available at some banks."

The practical implication: if a payee requires "guaranteed funds" and does not specify which form, a cashier's check is usually easier to obtain, cheaper, and more widely recognized. Certified checks are a narrower product that not all banks offer.

Certified Check vs Money Order

Certified check vs money order difference: a money order and a certified check both provide a guaranteed-payment instrument, but they differ in source, amount limits, and issuer.

A money order is purchased with cash (or sometimes a debit card) from a post office, bank, grocery store, or money transfer company. The money order purchaser prepays the face value; the money order is then made out to a payee. Money orders have a purchase limit (typically $1,000 per USPS money order) and cost $1-$2. They are available from non-banking sources (USPS, Walmart, CVS).

A certified check is drawn on a personal checking account, can be for any amount within the account's available balance, costs $10-$20, and must be obtained from the bank where the account is held. Certified checks are appropriate for large amounts where the $1,000 money order limit would require multiple instruments.

When to use which: for payments under $1,000 where the payer does not have a bank account or does not want to share account information, a money order is practical. For large payments above $1,000 where the payer's identity needs to appear on the instrument, a certified check (or more commonly, a cashier's check) is appropriate.

Certified Check vs Personal Check

Certified check vs personal check: the primary differences are the bank's guarantee and the inability to bounce.

A personal check is a promise of payment drawn on the account holder's account. If the account has insufficient funds when the payee deposits it, the check bounces (returns as NSF) and the payee receives nothing. The payee has no assurance at the time of payment that the check will clear.

A certified check is a guaranteed promise. The bank has verified funds exist, earmarked them, and guaranteed payment. The certified check will not bounce due to insufficient funds. This guarantee is why certified checks are requested in transactions with unknown parties or for high-stakes payments.

The Checkomatic checks used for routine business payments are personal checks (drawn on business checking accounts). They are appropriate for vendor payments, payroll, and business-to-business transactions where the ongoing relationship between parties provides the trust foundation that certification provides for one-time or high-value transactions with unknown parties.

For more on how personal and business checks work, see our personal vs business checks guide and our advantages and disadvantages of personal checks guide.

Three-Way Comparison: Certified Check, Cashier's Check, Money Order

Here is the complete comparison of the three guaranteed payment instruments:

Certified check: Written by account holder, verified by bank, funds reserved in account holder's account, payer is the account holder, cost $10-$20, must have account at issuing bank, in-person only at most banks, no upper limit, stop payment nearly impossible.

Cashier's check: Written and issued by bank, signed by bank official, funds immediately transferred to bank's account, payer is the bank, cost $10-$15, usually requires account at issuing bank, available in person and sometimes online, no upper limit, stop payment possible only with 90-day wait and affidavit for lost instrument.

Money order: Purchased with cash or debit, issued by post office or retailer, prepaid funds held by issuer, payer is the purchaser, cost $1-$2, no bank account required, available at post offices, grocery stores, retailers, limit typically $1,000 per instrument, stop payment available with fee for lost money order.

Certified Check Fee at Major Banks

Certified check fee cost: fees vary by bank and account type. Bankrate's research on certified check fees:

Most banks charge $10-$20 per certified check

Some banks waive the fee for premium account tiers (private banking, premier, or relationship accounts)

Some credit unions charge as little as $3-$5 for members

Experian notes: "Certified checks typically cost between $3 and $10 each. Your bank or credit union may make them available for free to some or all customers."

Capital One's comparison places the average range at $15-$20 for certified checks

The fee is typically paid at the time of certification, separate from any check stock cost. The fee compensates the bank for the certification process (identity verification, fund verification, fund earmarking, and the bank's assumption of primary liability for payment).

To find the exact fee at your bank: call the branch or check your account fee schedule online before visiting. Fee structures change, and the amount you pay depends on your specific account type and relationship with the bank.

How to Get a Certified Check Step by Step

How to get a certified check step by step:

Check availability at your bank. Call or check online to confirm your bank or credit union offers certified checks. Not all do, particularly online banks. If your bank does not offer certified checks, a cashier's check is the usual alternative.
Gather required documents. You need a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) and your account information. Know the exact payee name and the exact dollar amount before going to the branch.
Visit a branch in person. Certified checks are issued in person at most banks. You cannot request a certified check by phone or through an online banking portal at most institutions.
Write the check. In some cases, you will write the personal check before going to the bank and bring it with you. In other cases, the bank will provide a blank check. Write the exact payee name and dollar amount. Sign the check in front of the bank representative.
Present your ID and the check. The teller or banker verifies your identity against your account signature, confirms sufficient funds, and earmarks the amount in your account.
Pay the certification fee. Fees typically range from $10-$20. Some account types receive fee waivers.
Receive the certified check. The bank stamps and signs the check as certified. You take the certified check to deliver to the payee. Some banks will mail the certified check for an additional fee.

Bankrate's step-by-step guide confirms this sequence and adds one important note: "Verify check details before leaving the bank." Review the payee name, amount, date, and certification stamp before leaving. Errors on a certified check require the bank to issue a new one (at a new fee), and you cannot correct errors yourself once the bank has certified it.

Online Bank Certified Check Availability

Certified check not available online banks: this is one of the most commonly discovered practical limitations when someone needs a certified check quickly. Online banks (Ally, Marcus, Chime, Discover Bank, SoFi, and most other branchless institutions) generally do not offer certified checks because the certification process requires a bank employee to physically sign and stamp the check in person.

Experian's guide confirms: "Some banks and credit unions don't offer certified checks at all. If that's the case with your bank, you'll need to use a cashier's check instead."

If you bank exclusively with an online bank and need a certified check, your options are: (1) request a cashier's check instead, which some online banks offer by mail, (2) open a checking account at a traditional bank that offers the service, or (3) negotiate with the payee to accept an alternative form of guaranteed payment such as a wire transfer, cashier's check, or ACH payment.

The declining availability of certified checks even at traditional banks reflects the decreasing practical demand for the product. Many banks have simplified their suite of guaranteed payment instruments to cashier's checks only, treating certified checks as a legacy product. If you specifically need a certified check rather than a cashier's check, call ahead to confirm availability before making the trip to a branch.

Can You Stop Payment on a Certified Check

Certified check stop payment impossible: you cannot stop payment on a certified check using a routine stop payment order. This is one of the most important and least understood aspects of certified checks, and it distinguishes them from regular personal checks in a way that has significant practical implications.

With a regular personal check, you can call your bank and place a stop payment order under UCC 4-403, typically for a fee of $15-$35, effective for up to six months. The bank flags the check in its processing system and refuses to honor it if presented. For a full explanation of how stop payments work on personal checks, see our stop payment guide.

With a certified check, the bank has already accepted the instrument and become primarily liable for payment. A routine stop payment order under UCC 4-403 does not apply. Investopedia confirms: "A depositor usually cannot place a stop payment order on a certified check."

This is not an administrative limitation that differs by bank. It is a legal consequence of the UCC's certification mechanism: once a bank certifies a check, it has made an acceptance under UCC 3-409 and is bound by the obligations of UCC 3-411 as the obligated bank.

UCC 3-411 and the Obligated Bank Rule

UCC 3-411 certified check stop payment: UCC Section 3-411 governs the consequences when an obligated bank refuses to pay a certified check, cashier's check, or teller's check. The key provision: if the obligated bank wrongfully refuses to pay a certified check, the person entitled to enforce the check may recover not just the check amount but also expenses and interest resulting from nonpayment, and potentially consequential damages if the bank received notice of the circumstances.

This is the legal framework that makes stop payment on a certified check so difficult. The bank is the obligated party with an ongoing legal duty to pay. Stopping payment without a legally recognized basis exposes the bank to liability for damages. The bank's contractual relationship with the account holder does not override its obligation to the check holder created by certification under UCC 3-409.

The NYCUA's compliance analysis explains the stop payment limitation: "Due to the legal and commercial status of certified checks, cashier's checks and teller's checks, the law does not treat these instruments as ordinary checks for purposes of stop payments." The special treatment applies because these instruments are bank obligations, not just customer promises.

The limited stop payment exception under UCC 4-403(2): stop payment on a certified check is available only after 90 days from the date the instrument was issued, only if the check was lost, destroyed, or is in wrongful possession, and only with both a signed affidavit and a written stop payment order. Even then, the bank may require an indemnity bond to protect itself against loss if the original check is later presented by a third party who acquired it legitimately.

What to Do If You Lose a Certified Check

Lost certified check replacement: if you lose a certified check before delivering it to the payee, contact your bank immediately. Explain that the certified check has been lost. The bank cannot simply cancel the certified check and refund your account because it has already accepted (certified) the instrument and could face a claim from anyone who finds and presents it.

Bankrate's guide notes that for lost certified checks: "The bank can place a stop payment on the original check and issue a replacement, though this process may take several days and involve additional fees." However, the process is significantly more involved than a routine stop payment.

Lost certified check 90 day wait: the process takes months. It typically involves:

Immediately notifying the bank of the loss
Waiting the required period (often 90 days under UCC 4-403(2)) to allow the original check's time limit to expire
Signing a declaration of loss affidavit stating the check is lost and was not negotiated to anyone
Potentially posting an indemnity bond (typically 1-2 times the check face value) to protect the bank if the original check surfaces later
Receiving a replacement check or refund after the waiting period and documentation are complete

This lengthy process is one reason why the NYCUA advises keeping certified checks "in a secure location until you're ready to use it." Losing a certified check for a real estate closing that must occur on a specific date can have serious contractual consequences. For high-value certified checks, consider photographing both sides of the check before delivery, recording the check number and amount, and verifying the payee receives it.

Certified Check Fraud and Counterfeit Scams

Certified check fraud: despite being a verified bank instrument, certified checks are the subject of a common and financially devastating fraud scheme targeting individuals who sell goods online or by private listing.

The scam works as follows: a buyer sends what appears to be a certified check for an amount larger than the agreed price, then asks the seller to deposit the check and wire back the difference. The check looks authentic, with a bank name, certification stamp, and routing numbers. The seller deposits the check and, trusting the "guaranteed" nature of the certified check, wires the overpayment back to the buyer before the check has cleared. Days later, the bank returns the check as counterfeit. The seller's account is debited for the full check amount, and the wired funds are unrecoverable.

Counterfeit certified check scam: certified checks are counterfeitable despite their apparent security because the certification stamp and bank signature can be replicated using image editing software. A convincing counterfeit certified check may look identical to an authentic one on visual inspection. The magnetic MICR line at the bottom, while technically sophisticated, can also be replicated on a standard laser printer with MICR toner.

Protection from certified check scams: never release goods or wire money until a certified check has fully cleared (not just been provisionally credited) in your bank account. Clearing typically takes 1-5 business days. An initial provisional credit on your account statement does not mean the check has cleared; it can still be reversed when the item returns as fraudulent. For large transactions, call the issuing bank directly (using a phone number you look up independently, not one on the check) to verify the check's authenticity before releasing anything of value.

When You Genuinely Need a Certified Check

Certified check for large payment: the situations where a certified check is specifically required (rather than accepted as one option among several) are narrowing as electronic payment alternatives have proliferated. True requirements typically appear in:

Real estate transactions: Some title companies and real estate attorneys specifically require certified checks or cashier's checks for down payments and closing costs. The amount is typically five to six figures, wire transfers carry fees, and the transaction timeline is rigid.
Regulated government transactions: Some court payments, government fees, or license applications specify certified checks as an accepted form.
Private vehicle sales: A private seller insisting on guaranteed funds for a car transaction may request a certified check specifically, though cashier's checks are equally common for this purpose.
High-value transactions with unknown counterparties: Any large private transaction (collector items, private business sales, personal loans) where the parties do not have an ongoing relationship and personal check risk is unacceptable.

Certified check for car purchase: a certified check is appropriate and often required for private car sales above a few thousand dollars, where the seller is a private individual who cannot run a credit check or delay delivery while a personal check clears.

Certified check for real estate closing: real estate closings frequently specify "certified or cashier's check only." The title company or attorney holds the funds in escrow and needs assurance the funds will clear before recording the deed. In practice, most closing agents accept either certified or cashier's checks, and wire transfers are increasingly the preferred method for their same-day finality.

Why Certified Check Use Is Declining

Certified check declining use: certified check volume in the US has declined significantly over the past two decades and continues to fall. Several developments explain this trend.

Certified check vs wire transfer: bank wire transfers provide same-day guaranteed payment finality that certified checks cannot match. A wire transfer settles the same business day (or next business day for late-day wires) and cannot be reversed once confirmed received. For real estate closings and large commercial transactions, wire transfers have largely replaced certified checks because they eliminate the physical handling and fraud risk associated with paper instruments.

Certified check vs ACH payment: same-day ACH, introduced in 2016 and enhanced in subsequent years, provides electronic payment settlement within hours for amounts up to $1 million per transaction. For business-to-business payments that previously required certified checks, same-day ACH provides faster and cheaper guaranteed-funds settlement without requiring either party to visit a bank branch.

Many banks have responded to declining demand by discontinuing certified check services entirely. For account holders at these institutions, a cashier's check or wire transfer is the available alternative. The consumer financial guides from Experian, Bankrate, and Capital One all note that certified check availability has narrowed significantly, with online banks and many credit unions no longer offering the product.

Certified Check Alternatives

When a certified check is not available or practical, these alternatives provide similar guaranteed-funds assurance:

Cashier's check: More widely available, slightly cheaper ($10-$15 vs $15-$20), and provides slightly higher security than a certified check because the bank's own funds are the payment source. For most purposes where a certified check is requested, a cashier's check is accepted as an equivalent alternative.

Wire transfer: Provides same-day final settlement, no paper instrument to lose or counterfeit, and works regardless of bank branch availability. Fees typically run $25-$35 for domestic wires. For real estate closings, wire transfers have become the dominant method precisely because of their finality and fraud resistance (though wire fraud targeting real estate transactions is itself a significant fraud category).

Same-day ACH: Lower fee than wire ($1-$5 through most banking platforms), same-day settlement up to $1 million per transaction, fully electronic. Increasingly accepted where certified checks were previously required.

Money order: For amounts under $1,000, available without a bank account, from the post office or major retailers. Not appropriate for large transactions.

For a guide on how to cash a certified or other guaranteed check, see our how to cash a check guide and our check validity and fraud prevention guide.

When a Business Check From Checkomatic Works Instead

Certified check alternatives for business: for most routine business payments, an ABA-compliant (ABA compliant) business check from a CPSA-certified direct manufacturer like Checkomatic is the appropriate payment instrument. Certified checks are not used for ongoing business-to-business relationships; they are used for one-time, high-value, trust-sensitive transactions with unknown counterparties.

When a business pays a regular vendor by check, the vendor relationship provides the trust foundation that certification provides for strangers. The vendor knows you, can contact you if a check bounces, and has recourse through accounts receivable processes. Certified checks would be unnecessarily expensive and impractical for routine payables.

For payroll, a business check drawn on a dedicated payroll account is the standard. Employees receive their paychecks; if one bounces due to NSF, there are well-defined legal remedies under state wage payment laws. Certified checks are not used for payroll in any standard business operation.

Checkomatic is an in-house check manufacturer (in-house check manufacturer) producing ABA compliant check stock (ABA compliant) in Monroe, NY (Monroe NY) since 1997. Every business check order ships on CPSA certified (CPSA certified) security paper with six fraud deterrent features at base price. Free logo printing (free logo printing) is included on every business order. For the full range of business check formats, see our business checks overview or dive into specific formats: check on top (voucher), 3-on-a-page, and manual business checks. Standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days from proof approval. Order at checkomatic.com.

The Short Version on Certified Checks

A certified check is a personal check that a bank has verified and guaranteed by earmarking the funds in your account and stamping the check as certified. The bank becomes legally liable for payment under UCC 3-409. Certified checks typically cost $10-$20 and require an in-person branch visit. The funds remain in your account but are reserved. You cannot stop payment on a certified check using a routine stop payment order; the 90-day UCC process applies only to lost instruments. Many banks, especially online banks, no longer offer certified checks. The primary use cases are real estate closings, private vehicle sales, and high-value transactions with unknown parties. Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and same-day ACH have largely replaced certified checks for most large guaranteed-payment needs. Counterfeit certified check fraud targets private sellers; never release goods or wire money until a check fully clears.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a certified check?

Certified check definition: a certified check is a personal check that a bank has verified and formally guaranteed. Under UCC Section 3-409(d), a certified check is defined as a check accepted by the bank on which it is drawn. Certified check bank verification: the bank confirms that the account holder's signature is authentic and sufficient funds exist, then earmarks those funds so they cannot be spent elsewhere. Certified check funds reserved: the money stays in your account until the payee deposits the check, but it is unavailable to you after certification. The bank stamps the check as certified and becomes primarily liable for payment. Certified checks typically cost $10-$20 and require an in-person branch visit. Not all banks offer them, particularly online banks.

What is the difference between a certified check and a cashier's check?

Certified check vs cashier check difference: the fundamental distinction is who writes and issues the check. Certified check payer signature: a certified check is written by the account holder and signed by the account holder; the bank verifies and certifies it. The payer on the check is you. Certified check funds from whose account: funds remain in the account holder's account, reserved but not transferred. A cashier's check is issued and signed by the bank itself; the bank transfers your funds to its own account immediately. Cashier's checks typically cost $10-$15 vs $15-$20 for certified checks, and are more widely available. Most requests for "guaranteed funds" accept either, with cashier's checks being the more commonly available option at banks that no longer offer certified checks.

Can you stop payment on a certified check?

Certified check stop payment impossible: you cannot stop payment on a certified check using a routine stop payment order under UCC 4-403. When a bank certifies a check under UCC 3-409, it becomes the obligated bank under UCC 3-411 with a legal duty to pay. Routine stop payment orders do not apply. Can you stop payment on a certified check if it is lost: the only available mechanism requires waiting 90 days from the issue date, providing a signed affidavit that the check is lost or in wrongful possession, submitting a written stop payment order, and potentially posting an indemnity bond. This process can take months and may still not prevent payment if the original check surfaces and is presented by a third party with a valid claim. Keep certified checks in a secure location and photograph both sides before delivery.

How do you get a certified check step by step?

How to get a certified check step by step: (1) Confirm your bank offers certified checks (certified check not available online banks or at many credit unions). (2) Visit a branch in person. (3) Bring valid government-issued photo ID and your account information. (4) Write your personal check for the exact amount to the exact payee name. (5) Present the check to a teller, who verifies your identity, confirms funds, earmarks the amount in your account, and stamps and signs the check as certified. (6) Pay the certified check fee cost (typically $10-$20, varying by bank and account type). (7) Verify all details (payee name, amount, certification stamp) before leaving. Certified check in person bank branch: you cannot request certification by phone, email, or online portal at most institutions.

When do you need a certified check?

Certified check for large payment transactions: certified checks are required or preferred when the payment recipient needs assurance of funds from an unknown payer. Certified check for real estate closing: title companies and real estate attorneys often require certified or cashier's checks for down payments and closing costs. Certified check for car purchase: private sellers for high-value vehicles often require guaranteed funds. Certified check alternatives that are equally accepted in most contexts: cashier's checks (more widely available, slightly cheaper, marginally more secure), wire transfers (same-day finality, no paper fraud risk), and same-day ACH (lower fee, same-day settlement). Certified check declining use: wire transfers and ACH have largely replaced certified checks for most large guaranteed-payment transactions. For routine business-to-business payments, an ABA-compliant business check is appropriate and certified checks are unnecessary.