If you decide to pay someone with a check, you have three main options: personal checks, certified checks, and cashier's checks. Personal checks are the most common. They're what most of us think ...

Unlike a personal bank check, which is drawn against the account of the individual who writes it, a cashier’s check is issued by a bank or financial institution. Although cashier’s checks are ...

When you buy a big-ticket item like a car or make a large payment, such as a down payment on a house, you may be asked to pay with a certified check or a cashier’s check. These checks are less ...

When you’re making large purchases or exchanging significant sums of money, you’ll typically want to use a cashier’s check for the transaction. From renting a new apartment to purchasing a ...

A cashier's check is a payment tool that a bank or credit union can provide to qualifying recipients. This type of check guarantees payment. While this may sound like a personal check, a cashier's ...

but you probably should—not a basic personal check, but a cashier’s or certified check. While you probably won’t need one of these checks often in your life, there are some definite ...

Here’s a breakdown of how they compare. A cashier’s check is a secure alternative to cash, allowing you to make large purchases you wouldn’t feel comfortable paying for in cash, such as a ...

Just note there is often a limit of around $1,000, and you'll pay a fee. Cashier's checks: While still technically a check, cashier's checks are a much safer bet than the standard personal check.

If you need to make a large payment for a purchase or obligation, like paying off a mortgage, you'll likely be asked to do so with a cashier's check. These are special types of checks that are ...

A cashier’s check or a money order can come in handy if you’re paying bills or making a large deposit on a purchase, such as closing on a mortgage. Because personal checks are not accepted at ...

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page. The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the ...