Cheques remain a core part of business and personal payments across the UAE. Despite the rise of bank transfers and digital wallets, rent, supplier payments, and loan repayments still routinely require a physical cheque. Filling one out incorrectly — even a small error — can cause a cheque to bounce or be returned, with serious legal consequences. This guide walks through every field, step by step.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you fill in the cheque, confirm:
- You have the exact payee name as registered with their bank (for companies, use the full legal name)
- The exact amount, including fils if applicable
- The correct date — today's date for an immediate cheque, or a future date for a post-dated cheque (PDC)
- Your account has sufficient funds (or will have them by the cheque date)
Step-by-Step: How to Fill a Cheque in UAE
Step 1 — Write the Date (DD/MM/YYYY Format)
The date field on a UAE cheque follows the day/month/year format. Write the day first, then the month, then the four-digit year.
Example: September 10, 2026 → 10 / 09 / 2026
Do not use the American MM/DD/YYYY format. September 10 written as 09/10/2026 could be misread as October 9, which may delay or invalidate the cheque. Write clearly within the date boxes; most UAE cheques have three separate boxes for DD, MM, and YYYY.
For a post-dated cheque, write the future date you have agreed with the payee. The bank will not process the cheque before that date.
Step 2 — Write the Payee Name
On the line marked "Pay to the order of" or "Pay", write the full name of the person or company you are paying. For a company, use its registered trade name exactly — abbreviating it can cause problems at some banks.
- For individuals: write their full name as it appears on their Emirates ID or passport
- For companies: use the full legal name, e.g. "ABC Trading LLC" not just "ABC"
- Never leave this field blank — a blank payee line creates a bearer cheque that anyone can cash
Draw a line through any remaining blank space after the payee name to prevent unauthorised additions.
Step 3 — Write the Amount in Figures
In the small box on the right side of the cheque (often preceded by "AED" or "Dhs"), write the numeric amount clearly. Use a decimal point for fils.
AED 5,250.00
Start writing as close to the left edge of the box as possible. Draw a line through any remaining space after the number to prevent tampering. Do not leave gaps in the middle of the number.
Step 4 — Write the Amount in Words
This is the most commonly mishandled field. On the line that begins "Say Dirhams" or similar, write out the full amount in English words. Always end with the word "Only" to prevent anyone adding extra words after your writing.
Example: AED 5,250
Write: Five Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Dirhams Only
More examples:
| Amount (figures) | Amount in words |
|---|---|
| AED 500 | Five Hundred Dirhams Only |
| AED 1,000 | One Thousand Dirhams Only |
| AED 10,500.50 | Ten Thousand Five Hundred Dirhams and 50/100 Fils Only |
| AED 75,000 | Seventy-Five Thousand Dirhams Only |
Not sure how to write a large amount in words? Use our free AED amount to words converter — type any figure and it gives you the correct written form instantly.
Step 5 — Sign the Cheque
Sign on the signature line at the bottom-right exactly as your signature appears on your bank's records. A mismatched signature is one of the most common reasons cheques are returned.
- For personal accounts: your individual signature
- For company accounts: the authorised signatory or signatories as registered with the bank (some accounts require two signatures)
- Never sign a blank cheque and hand it to someone else
Step 6 — Cross the Cheque (Recommended)
Crossing means drawing two parallel diagonal lines in the top-left corner of the cheque, sometimes with the words "Account Payee Only" written between them. A crossed cheque cannot be cashed over the counter — it must be deposited directly into the payee's bank account. This significantly reduces fraud risk.
For most business payments in the UAE, crossing is strongly recommended. Some banks' pre-printed stationery already includes a crossing; if yours does not, you can draw the lines yourself.
Common Cheque Mistakes to Avoid in UAE
- Wrong date format — always use DD/MM/YYYY, not the American MM/DD/YYYY order
- Amount mismatch — figures and words must match exactly. Banks usually honour the words, but a mismatch can cause a return
- Abbreviating the payee name — write the full legal name to avoid payment issues
- Leaving blank spaces — draw lines through empty space after the payee name and amount
- Signing differently from your bank record — your signature must match exactly what you registered
- Using correction fluid (Tipp-Ex) — alterations on cheques are not accepted by UAE banks. If you make a mistake, void the cheque and start fresh
Skip the Handwriting — Print It Right Every Time
ChequeprinterUAE software fills every field automatically — date, payee, amount in figures, amount in words — and prints it perfectly aligned on your bank's stationery. No handwriting errors, no misaligned text, no risk of correction fluid.
Download Free — Try 15 ChequesFrequently Asked Questions
What date format is used on UAE cheques?
UAE cheques use DD/MM/YYYY. September 10, 2026 is written as 10/09/2026. Do not use the American MM/DD/YYYY format — this can cause the cheque to be misread or rejected.
How do you write AED 5,250 in words on a UAE cheque?
Write: Five Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Dirhams Only. Always end with "Only" to prevent tampering. Use our amount to words converter for any figure.
Do UAE cheques need to be crossed?
Crossing is optional but strongly recommended. Two parallel diagonal lines in the top-left corner mean the cheque can only be deposited into a bank account, not cashed over the counter — greatly reducing fraud risk.
What if the amount in words and figures don't match?
UAE banks generally honour the amount written in words when there is a discrepancy. A significant mismatch may still cause the cheque to be returned. Always double-check both fields match before signing.