Checkbooks overview

Mercury checkbooks let you write and manage physical checks directly from your account. This article covers when to use checkbooks, how to order one, and how to review and manage check activity from your dashboard. This is separate from the mailed checks you can send via the Send Money flow.

Use cases for issuing physical checks 

Although most payments are sent via ACH or wire, sometimes you just need a physical check. This can be helpful when:

• You need to pay someone on the spot 
• A payment requires accompanying paperwork
• You need to provide a voided check, usually for someone to verify your account information
• A recipient can't accept ACH, wire transfers, or card payments

If you only need to send the occasional check, you can use the Send Money flow to have a paper check printed and mailed on your behalf. Read more about these one-off check payments here.

Ordering your checkbook

Please note that ordering checkbooks is restricted to admin users, and checkbooks can only be shipped to addresses within the United States and its territories.  

1. Go to the left-hand menu on your Mercury dashboard on web, click Payments > Checkbooks 
2. Click Order Checkbook
3. Enter these details for your checkbook: 
   • Account: This indicates the specific checking account you want to enable for this checkbook. Note that each checkbook can only be assigned to one enabled checking account. However, enabled checking accounts can have multiple assigned checkbooks. 
   • Your check nickname 
   • Your checkbook number start number — since each Mercury checkbook includes 25 sheets, the full range will go from your start number up to the next 24 numbers. Be sure to use a start number where the range will not overlap with any existing check numbers you’ve already ordered from Mercury or a third party provider
   • Your shipping address — this is set to your company mailing address on file by default, but you can pick a different one. As a reminder, checkbooks can only be shipped to addresses within the United States and its territories. 
4. Click Next
5. Choose your default check review setting: 
   • Approve check: Check deposits will be automatically approved after the 24-hour review window expires
   • Reject check: Check deposits will be automatically rejected after the 24-hour review window expires
6. Review your selections, agree to the terms and conditions, and click Confirm

The final page will confirm your checkbook’s estimated shipping time. You’ll also receive an order confirmation and an update when the checkbook ships via email. The typical delivery time to expect is 10-14 business days. 

You can also order a checkbook from a checking account page. To get there, head to your Accounts tab.

Navigating the Checkbooks page

Once you’ve ordered a checkbook, all check deposit attempts will show up on your Checkbooks page. You’ll be able to see:

• Check no.: The unique check number on that particular check
• Date: The date your recipient deposited your check
• Amount: Amount on the check
• Pay from: The check-enabled Mercury account you are paying from. 
• Review status: Pending checks will indicate the amount of time remaining in your review window before the default review action is applied

Click into any pending checks to see more details and take action. Please note that once a check has been approved or rejected, it will technically clear from the Checkbooks page and appear in your Transactions (rejected checks will show up as “blocked”).

In the bottom right, you can click View all check payments. This will show you your Transactions tab filtered for check payments. This shows: 

• Approved checks
  • Checks that were manually approved by your business during the checkbook review window
  • Checks that were approved via default review action after the review window expired
• Failed checks
  • Checks that were manually rejected by your business during the checkbook review window
  • Checks that were rejected via default review action after the review window expired
  • Checks that were rejected because of insufficient funds

In the top right-hand corner, you’ll also see a Settings icon you can click to manage:

• Which accounts are enabled for check issuing — enabling an account allows you to order Mercury checkbooks from them, as well as issue checks from 3rd party providers
• Your default check review action 
• Your business’s checkbook order history

FAQs

Who can order checkbooks and enable accounts for checkbooks?

Only account admins can order checkbooks and edit which accounts are enabled for checkbooks.

What gets printed on each check? 

The following details are included on each check:

• The check number
• The associated account number and routing number
• Your legal business name
• The legal address we have on file for your business 

Can I print my DBA company name or a different address on my checks?

At this time, Mercury checkbooks cannot be printed with your DBA company name or a custom address. You can order checks from a third-party provider that allows you to customize these fields. 

How do I order checks from a third party provider? 

To order checks from a third party provider for your Mercury checking account, you’ll need to enable the account details. You can do this by heading to your Checkbooks page and clicking Settings. From there, you should be able to edit your enabled accounts. When you order checks through the third party, you can provide the account and routing numbers for the enabled account. 

We recommend using the legal business name on your Mercury account when ordering checks through a third-party provider to avoid potential payment issues. Mercury is not responsible for any checks ordered through third-party providers. 

Can I cancel my checkbook? 

If you want to cancel your checkbook before it gets to you, reach out to help@mercury.com. If the checkbook hasn’t been mailed, we are able to cancel the checkbook. If it’s already been mailed, you will need to request a stop payment on the checkbook number range you ordered — our team can help you with this, or you can follow the instructions in our Stop payments article. 

How long do checks take to show up on the Checkbooks page?

Deposited checks will usually appear on your Checkbooks page the same or next business day after your recipient deposits them. Please note that only deposited checks will show up on your Checkbooks page — if your recipient hasn’t deposited them yet, that record won’t appear in Mercury.

Will checks in the Send Money flow show up for review on the Checkbooks page?

No. Only physical checks you write will appear for review and on your Checkbooks page. Checks sent through Mercury’s Send Money flow are pre-approved — you can learn more about them here. Mailed checks can be viewed from your Transactions page. 

What are common check terms I should be aware of?

Here are some of the terms people often see when dealing with checks and checkbooks, and what they mean:

• Item: Any single check transaction, often referring to a check being processed.
• Memo / Memo line: A note field on a check that can be used for reference. Doesn’t affect the payment.
• Check review: Mercury’s fraud prevention service that matches checks presented to a list provided by the issuer. Also known as ‘Positive Pay’. Endorsement: When the recipient signs the back of the check, allowing it to be deposited.
• Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) / bounced check: A check that is returned unpaid due to the funding account lacking sufficient funds.
• Deposited: The recipient’s bank has accepted the check.
• Stop Payment: A stop payment prevents a check you’ve written from being deposited.

What if I don’t have enough funds in my account to cover a check payment? 

Check payments are only processed if the associated Mercury account has sufficient funds. Avoid failed payments by:

• Keeping an eye on account balances to make sure you have enough to cover your outstanding or upcoming check payments
• Turning on notifications for low-balance alerts
• Using auto-transfers to maintain minimum funds in your dedicated check-enabled account

How can I avoid errors or fraud when writing a check?

Always write the amount in both words and numerals, ensuring they match, and complete all fields (including date, payee, and signature). Avoid leaving blank spaces where extra text could be added. Use permanent, non-erasable ink, and keep a record of your check numbers for future reference.

Is there a maximum amount I can send by check?

Yes — each check item must be under $1 million. Any checks over this amount will be rejected. 

Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.