Can I mail a cheque and prove I did it?

September 30, 2010 3:47 PM

How can I prove I mailed a cheque, even if the recipient doesn't cash the cheque?

I know I can prove I mailed something by sending it registered mail. And I can prove I sent a cheque for a particular amount if the person cashes the cheque. Is there a way that I can prove I sent a cheque for a particular amount and show that I sent it even if the person does not cash it? I'm thinking perhaps something involving a notary public or some service where I pay someone else a small fee to send the cheque (and thus get a receipt for a cheque for X amount sent to X person with proof of delivery.) Any ideas?

This question posted on behalf of a friend.

posted by Dreadnought to law & government (5 answers total)

If you have your bank to mail a check (such as ING) you can print out the send confirmation as an unofficial receipt that they sent one out for you.
posted by jourman2 at 3:51 PM on September 30, 2010 [1 favorite]

Having your bank mail the check (as jourman2 suggests) is really easy and is offered by virtually every bank, but it's not always so obvious. The trick is your bank's online bill pay feature. You just enter the name and address of the person you want to pay as your payee and then just enter a bill payment just like you would to pay the electric bill. For most large payees, the bank will handle an electronic payment automatically, but if you just enter a random personal address, they print and mail a paper check to that person for free.

There is no proof of delivery, but there is pretty good proof from your bank that a check was sent.
posted by zachlipton at 4:01 PM on September 30, 2010 [2 favorites]

i have my bank mail checks out for me for this reason—if i ever have to dispute something or go to court, giant multinational bank can prove from their records exactly how much was sent out and when. easier to get them to do it than it is for me to search through all my files and paperwork, even, since i can print a receipt out online or call them up or go there in person to get a copy of it on their letterhead.
posted by lia at 4:13 PM on September 30, 2010

IANAL.

An affidavit of service by mail signed by you before a notary public. Or at least that's how law offices "prove" (there's a presumption of service by mailing by statute) service by mail in NY.

http://www.nynd.uscourts.gov/documents/AffidavitofServicebyMail.pdf
posted by Brian Puccio at 7:41 PM on September 30, 2010

My friend thanks you for your advice, and is feeling much reasured.
posted by Dreadnought at 7:44 AM on October 1, 2010