The payee goes on the long line that starts with "Pay to the order of," just below the date. This is the name of whoever is allowed to deposit or cash the check.
Use the full, correct name
- For a person, use their full legal name, not a nickname.
- For a business, use its exact registered name — check an invoice, receipt, or their website if you're unsure.
- Avoid abbreviations unless that's genuinely how the business is registered.
If the name on the check doesn't reasonably match the name on the account it's being deposited into, a bank can refuse the deposit — this is a common reason checks get rejected.