A certified check is actually a customer's personal check drawn on his/her financial institution and written by the customer to the party receiving payment. The financial institution "certifies" that the check is backed with guaranteed funds and will not be returned due to insufficient funds.

The funds needed to cover the certified check are placed in "reserve", so that when the check is presented for payment, funds are guaranteed to be in the account. These funds are held for the certified check only; no other check may be drawn on these funds. Only checks drawn on a Bank checking account can be certified at the Bank.

There is a $25 fee to purchase a certified check. The funds must be on deposit and collected in order to be certified.