Certified check is a type of check that guarantees that there will be enough funds available for the recipient by the issuing bank. Additionally, the bank also verifies that the signature on the check is genuine. Certified checks are used to increase confidence that the creditworthiness of the account holder is legitimate and so the check does not bounce. In larger transactions, it may be difficult to pay with cash, so a certified check can be used to secure the amount compared to a personal check, which may bounce.
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]