Let's see what is the difference between single vs duplicate checks while making transactions. Below you can see what are single and duplicate checks in detail.

1. Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Which is
Better? Know the Differences Between Both
You often have to remit money to different entities. These entities can be your
loved ones, people from whom you have purchased something say your grocery
shop owner, businesses you have transacted with, etc. So, how do individuals
and businesses ensure smooth money transfers to the intended parties? It is very
simple – by opening a checking account. But, checking accounts are of two types
– single and duplicate. Now the million-dollar question confronting you might be
how do you decide which is better between single vs duplicate checks?
Let us find the answer for the same and see who wins the battle between single
checks vs duplicate checks.
Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Basics
A single check is a type of check that is issued without a carbon copy underneath
it. In other words, single checks have no duplicates. A single checkbook is,
therefore, light-weighted as the checkbook size is reduced to half sans duplicate
copies.
What Are Duplicate Checks?
A duplicate check is a type of cheque that is issued with a carbon copy below the
original check. Thus, there are two copies of each issued cheque. However, since
there is a duplicate copy beneath every check, a duplicate checkbook is bulky.
Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Transaction Safety and
Proof
The two things that may often bother you while executing financial transactions
are transaction security and evidence. While a single check will more often than
not successfully transfer money to the concerned parties, what would happen if
the check, unfortunately, gets lost, mutilated, or stolen? Apart from the risk of

2. losing your money, you now run the risk of the payee/intended recipient filing a
case of default against you.
Under such circumstances, you need strong proof that you indeed issued a
check to the concerned payee with your signature and a date on it. Without the
same, you may lose the case in the court of law and be penalized for default. This
implies that you now have to pay a higher amount to the payee – the original
payable amount plus penalty charges. Moreover, if the defaulted amount was
huge, you may face harsher punishment. Thus, between a single check Vs
duplicate check, a duplicate check is safer as you have an additional copy as
transaction proof in case of any dispute.
However, whether you lose a single or a duplicate check, the risks of them being
misused by miscreants are equal for both. Hence, in case of loss or theft of a
check, you may immediately contact your bank and stop the payment. You may
not worry much about the loss of a duplicate copy, as most of the time, they do
not contain sensitive information like a bank account number or signature.
Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Record Keeping
Source: theydiffer.com

3. As there are no duplicate copies for single checks, you have to record vital
details like payee name, check issue date, and check amount in the check
register. The register may be in paper or online form. You may have to sign in to
your account to access your e-register for record-keeping. Conversely, every
duplicate check composed need not be recorded in the register as you already
have a backup copy.
Thus, between single check vs duplicate check, the latter is time-saving as it
minimizes the need to record details of all checks issued. It also reduces manual
work.
Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Other Differences
● Costs: Usually, duplicate checks are costlier than single checks, as they contain
carbon copies underneath each check. Moreover, checks are usually sold by the
box and the number of duplicate checks per box is lower than that of single
checks per box. Hence, you may exhaust your duplicate checks faster.
Consequently, you may procure duplicate checks more frequently, thereby
leading to a further rise in check purchase costs.
● Writing pressure: You do not have to exert much pressure while writing a single
check as there is no carbon copy beneath it. However, the same is not applicable
for duplicate checks, as you have to exert reasonably heavy writing pressure to
ensure that the backup copy is clear and unambiguous.
● Convenience: As small checks are lighter than duplicate checks, their mobility
and convenience quotient is higher. In other words, single checks are most
suitable for frequent travelers or individuals constantly on the move. They are
also more suitable for small businesses and retailers with lower transaction
volumes and less costly transactions.
● Risk of obsolescence: Technology advancements have led to the large-scale
adoption of online payments, paperless transactions, instant payment
applications, and electronic records. As duplicate checks are costlier than single
checks, the resultant money wastage due to obsolescence of checks is higher for
duplicate checks.

4. Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Summary Table
Sr.
No.
Evaluation
Parameter
Single check Duplicate check
1 Definition A check style that
comprises single pages
without carbon copies
beneath original checks.
A check style that comprises
carbon copies underneath
original checks.
2 Check
duplication
No Yes. Every check you write is
automatically duplicated.
3 Checkbook
weight
Small and Light Large and Bulky
4 Security As no backup copies of
issued checks are
present, you have no
transaction evidence in
case of any dispute.
Lack of valid proof may
make it tougher for you
to prove your innocence
in court.
A Duplicate copy serves as
sufficient proof that the two
parties involved have indeed
committed to a monetary
transaction. The check issue
date and signature on the
carbon copy prove the
credibility and trustworthiness
of the check issuer.
5 Record-keep
ing
Require meticulous
maintenance of
transaction records in
check registers.
Backup copies of original
checks minimize the need for
maintaining detailed records in
check registers.
6 Price Relatively cheaper. Expensive.

5. 7 Check
writing
You don’t need to press
hard against the paper or
exert too much writing
pressure.
You may have to press hard
against the paper or exert
excess writing pressure to
ensure that the backup copy is
clear and transparent.
8 Number of
checks per
box
More Less
9 Convenienc
e or mobility
High Low
10 Target
audience
Individuals, retailers,
micro and small
enterprises, all entities
engaged in small-value
transactions, frequent
travelers.
Entities with high transaction
volumes or expensive
transactions, large
organizations.
11 Carbon
paper
Single checks don’t
involve duplication and
hence there is no need
for carbon paper.
Duplicate checks require
carbon paper to create a
backup copy as transaction
proof.
12 Money
wastage due
to
obsolescenc
e
Low High

6. Single Vs Duplicate Checks – Closing Words
Source: bankrate.com
At first glance, the comparison between single check Vs duplicate check may
seem confusing. However, a deeper study of what are duplicate checks reveals
that a duplicate check is nothing but a variant of a single check to solve the
problem of lack of transaction evidence in case of a dispute. Both of them have
the same functional purpose of transferring money to the intended payee.
But, when we distinguish between single Vs duplicate checks based on various
evaluation criteria, the latter wins the battle. While single checks are cheap, light,
and convenient, duplicate checks score higher points on important parameters
like transaction safety, evidence, and record-keeping. Duplicate checks safeguard
you against any kind of disputes arising due to loss, damage, or theft of checks.
Hence, irrespective of both checking accounts ensuring smooth money transfers,
between single Vs duplicate checks, duplicate checks are better.

7. Key Takeaways
● Single checks come in single pages with no duplication. On the other hand,
duplicate checks will always have an extra copy of every check issued.
● Single checkbooks are light while duplicate checkbooks are heavy.
● A duplicate check is more secure than a single check. You possess a
duplicate copy of the original check as transaction evidence in case of any
dispute.
● Depending on the bank/company issuing the duplicate check, duplicate
copies will most of the time not contain sensitive details like bank account
number, signature, etc. However, if they do, then you may safeguard your
carbon copies too from loss or theft.
● As duplicate checks already have a backup copy, you need not worry even
if details of all checks composed, are not recorded in the check register.
● Single checks are cheaper and more in number in a box than duplicate
checks.
● You have to exert more writing pressure while composing duplicate checks
as opposed to single checks.
● Single checks are easier and more convenient to carry as compared to
duplicate checks.
● Duplicate checks are better if you engage in a large number of expensive
transactions.
● Duplicate checks are ideal for large organizations or businesses with a
record number of day-to-day remittances of high amounts.
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