Abstract: A payment verification method and system includes the imprinting of code indicia, such as a bar code, on the face of a payment document, such as a stock certificate, check, or note. The bar code and a corresponding data file, is generated by an automated computerized process. The code indicia serves as an index to a corresponding data file in a database which can be communicated to a drawee banking institution serving as broker for the funds as identified in the check so that the institution has prior knowledge of information relating to the check. Such knowledge is used to verify the authenticity of the check and amount of funds committed. After the check has been honored by the brokering institution and returned to the issuer or drawer, a computerized system scans the bar code and records the receipt of the authorized instrument by updating the corresponding data file.