Warrants vs. Checks

A check is a draft which a customer of a bank (a payor) issues to a payee and authorizes the bank, upon presentment to the bank, to pay the payee with funds drawn from the payor's bank account.

A warrant is a draft issued by the State of Minnesota to a payee which advises any person in possession of the warrant that, upon presenting the warrant to the Minnesota State Treasurer through banks and financial institutions, the State Treasurer will pay to that person through the financial community, the amount indicated on the warrant.

For most purposes, a warrant functions exactly like a check.

Warrants -State Payments and Checks Issued by the State

The Treasury Division processes checks that are issued and accounted for by state agencies. This separation of duties is essential for internal controls to protect public money and for the benefit of taxpayers.

The Treasury Division records all of these warrants/checks, by warrant number and amount on its banking information system at the time of issuance. As these checks are cashed by citizens and businesses they are presented to the Treasury Division by banks for final payment. The Treasury Division compares the warrants presented against the original issuance information to assure their validity. If a warrant is presented for payment and has not been recorded on the Treasury Division information system, the warrant is then returned unpaid to the presenter bank as not a valid or authorized warrant. While the Treasury Division does not actually issue warrants the Treasury Division does approve and authorize the expenditure of State funds for settlement of these warrants.

Many different State agencies issue the actual warrants. However, the accounting information of monies representing these warrants reside in the State's accounting system which is managed by Minnesota Management & Budget. Agencies that issue payments are:

    Minnesota House of Representatives
    Minnesota Senate
    Revisor of Statutes
    Department of Revenue
    Department of Human Services
    Minnesota Management & Budget
    Teachers' Retirement Association (TRA)
    Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)
    Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)

Who can I contact regarding State payments?

You must contact the State agency with which you are dealing. For example, if you are waiting for a tax refund you would contact the Department of Revenue; or if you are wondering about a general assistance or child support payment you would contact the Department of Human Services; if you are asking about payment for goods or services, directly contact the agency for which the goods and services were provided.

How can I tell if my State check has been cashed?

Contact the agency that may have issued the check.

What if I lost my check?

You should contact the appropriate agency that would most likely have issued the actual payment. If in doubt, contact the Minnesota Management & Budget. You will be required to complete an "Affidavit of Lost Checks".

What if my state-issued check was stolen? and cashed?

You should contact the issuing agency and make arrangements to complete an "Affidavit of Forgery".

Lost or destroyed warrants

Click here to link to Minnesota Statutes 16A.46 concerning lost or destroyed warrants