This question is a bit general, so I am going over the possibilities.
If you want to check to see if your own check will clear, you can call the bank's automated line to look up your balance. This will tell how much money is in your account.
If you want to check to see if a check you received is good, you still need to call the bank. Most banks won't tell you the balance until you deposit the check to see if it is good. If you just want to check a check to see if it is real, contact the issuing bank and ask.
There is also a 900# you can call if you don't mind spending $5 to verify a check based on the routing number if you call from a land line phone: 1-900-868-2995.
If you just got new checks and you want to check them, look over the whole check and make sure everything is accurate.
Wondering
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/how-to-read-a-check.htmhttp://wiki.answers.com/Q/how-to-read-a-check.htm, understand the check format, and review the individual parts that make up a typical check? The example above is a personal check.
1. Account Holder Name, Account Holder Address, Account Holder Phone number, and Account Holder Email Address can appear in this section of the check called the Address Field. Check these to be sure the spelling is correct and the address and phone are right.
2. The Bank Name, City and State of the processing facility, or the city and state of the account holder's branch, the bank's phone number, the banks website address and/or the bank's email address may appear in this section. This section can also be located above field 7, the memo field.
3. The check number appears at the top right, shown here as 101.
4. Pay to the order of: This section should have the name of the person or company that is being paid. The name of the party getting the money.
5. The amount written numerically. If this check were for one hundred dollars, within the box labeled "5" in the example above, it should read, "$100.00"
6. The amount written in words. If this check were for $100, in the blank labeled "6" above, you would write, "One Hundred and 00/100". Many people will then draw a line to the preprinted "Dollars" to discourage alteration. If the check were for $101.59, it would be written, "One Hundred One and 59/100".
7. The 'For" or "Memo" blank can be left blank, or you can enter any information at all. Some people note an account number or invoice number that is being paid with the check, others may just write, "For Birthday" or other note to remind them what the check was for. This field is not read by the bank and does not change how the check is processed.
8. The signature line. This is where the account holder would sign the check. On a check draft, the signature is not required, although it is usual to have a signature disclaimer in this section.
9. This
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/MICR.htm field is the Routing Number. This is the 9 digit code that routes the check to the issuing bank. The routing number should match the bank name and the fraction code.
10. The account number. This field is an MICR field that lists the account holder's account number at the bank.
11. Fraction Code - this field is the fraction that denotes the routing for the check. The fraction code is another way to write the 9 digit routing number. If the MICR line on the check is mutilated, the fraction code will be used in its place.
12. The date field. Fill this in with the date the check is created.