What's on this page
How to write a cheque
When writing a cheque, you need to include these details:
- date
- payee
- amount both written and numeric
- your signature.
Ideally you should include the name of the account holder’s bank or building society next to their name (for example, Nationwide John Smith). This helps protect your account against fraud.
This is an example of a correctly written cheque for John Smiths' Nationwide account:
Corporate cheques (also known as a banker’s draft or banker’s cheque)
A corporate cheque is a guaranteed payment method. If you've received a corporate cheque from Nationwide, it's valid for 6 years.
The funds are debited from your savings or current account at the time you request the cheque. Not when it is paid in. Corporate cheques can be requested in Branch or online.
- Find your nearest branch
How long cheques are valid for
Cheques paid into or written from your account are usually paid for up to 6 months after the date on them.
You must pay a cheque into your Nationwide account within 6 months from the date on it, as we may not be able to collect funds after then. Even though the cheque is legally valid for up to 6 years, the bank or building society the cheque is drawn on may not release the funds after 6 months. After that, you may need to ask the person or organisation that gave you the cheque to give you a new one.
It’s better not to write a cheque with a future date. That’s because the recipient may try to pay it into their account early. We do our best to spot future dated cheques. But sometimes they are processed. If that happens and you don't have enough money to cover it, the cheque might be refused. And that could mean you have to pay charges.
Request a cheque withdrawal online
You'll need to print, complete and post a form to request a cheque withdrawal. Please make sure your form is signed and dated before sending it to us.
We'll post your request to the address registered to your account within three days of receiving it. It may take longer, if we need to contact you and verify the transaction.
To request a cheque withdrawal form online:
- Log in to the Internet Bank (opens in a new window)
- Select Move money – tab located at the top of the page
- Select Other payments
- Select Withdraw funds as cheque
- Use the link Request a cheque
- Follow the instructions.
Get a copy of a cheque you've issued
If you don't bank online, you can visit us in branch to request a copy of a cheque, otherwise:
- Log in to the Internet Bank (opens in a new window)
- Select the View Accounts tab
- Use Your Account link
- Select Other Account Services
- Find Account Services
- Use the link Request a Copy of a Cheque
- Follow the instructions.
Information:
Please allow 10 working days for the copy of your cheque(s) to arrive. If you’ve ordered 10 or more cheques it could take up to 60 days.
How to pay in a cheque
You can pay in a cheque written to you using a Nationwide cash machine or over the counter at your nearest branch. If you need any help, just ask the team there.
Note:
Unfortunately, we cannot accept foreign cheques.
Paying in cheques by post
To pay in a cheque by post, complete our paying in cheques form, then print it and post it to your local branch along with the cheque(s) you want to pay in.
Paying in cheques formPDF, 134KB (opens in a new window)
See AlsoWill A Bank Try to Process a Bounced Check Again? | TDECUChequesBankerIn which of the following cases, the banker MAY refuse to honour the cheque?(I) When the cheque's legality is doubtful.(II) When the customer has given notice of assignment of the credit balance of his account.(III) When the cheque is presented a brBank's refusal to pay the amount of cheque to the payee is _____________.Honour of chequeDishonour of chequeEndorsem*nt of chequeRetirement of cheque
What to do if you can't print the form
Before you send your cheques, please make sure:
the cheque is in date
the cheque has been signed and dated
that both the sort code and account number have been written on the back of the cheque on the right hand side (we will pay the cheque to the account confirmed on the back of the cheque).
the cheque has both the words and figures on the front of the cheque and that these match
If you can’t print the form
If you can’t print the form, write these details on to the back of each cheque, on the right-hand side only:
the account holder's name(s)
your signature
the date
preferred contact number
sort code and account number, or
savings account number, example: 1234/123456789 (this can be found within the Internet Bank or your passbook if you have one).
The left-hand side needs to be left unmarked so we can process the cheque. Without all these details, your cheque may be rejected.
Please send completed cheques to your local branch.
How long does it take for a cheque to clear?
For cheques paid in at:
- a Nationwide branch, or cash machine inside a branch, before 7pm (Monday to Friday), your cheque will be deposited immediately and cleared by 11:59pm the next working day.
- a cash machine outside a Nationwide branch, your cheque will be deposited when the branch next service it and will clear after another 2 working days.
If any cheque is paid in on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday, then the day of deposit will be the next working day.
For cheques paid in by post:
- you'll be able to access your money 2 working days after we receive your cheques, so you’ll need to take postage time into account
- you might see the amount pending in your account before it becomes available.
When a cheque you pay in doesn't clear for payment
You’ll need to ask whoever wrote the cheque to issue you a new one. We’ll usually write to explain why this has happened. That way you have all the details you need when you speak with them.
However, if you haven’t heard anything after 10 days, and it isn’t showing in your available balance, please contact us:
Call us
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Sundays, 9am to 5pm.
Bank holidays, 8am to 8pm.
UK: 03457 30 20 11
Abroad: +44 1793 65 67 89
Visit us in branch
Prefer to speak face-to-face?
Find your nearest branch
Order a new chequebook
Information:
We’ll automatically send a new chequebook once you write the 20th cheque in your current book.
Chat to us online
You can order a new cheque book through our web chat.
- Log in to our Internet Bank (opens in new window)
- Select Need help? Send us a message from the left-hand menu
- Select Chat with us
- Type Order a cheque book into our web chat
- You'll be transferred to one our team members, who will be happy to complete your order
Call us
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Sundays, 9am to 5pm.
Bank holidays, 8am to 8pm.
UK: 03457 30 20 11
Abroad: +44 1793 65 67 89
Visit us in branch
Prefer to speak face-to-face?
Find your nearest branch
Cancel a cheque or chequebook
If you’d like to cancel a cheque or a chequebook, you can do so by calling us or visiting your nearest branch.
Call us
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Sundays, 9am to 5pm.
Bank holidays, 8am to 8pm.
UK: 03457 30 20 11
Abroad: +44 1793 65 67 89
Visit us in branch
Prefer to speak face-to-face?
Find your nearest branch
Related links
- How to send money to another UK account
- Pending transactions
