Abstract: An improved traveler's check issuable by a number of different institutions and substantially uniform in appearance. The traveler's check identifies on its face the individual customer to whom the check is issued. The individual identifying information includes a representation of the individual's portrait and signature and an account number, and appears on each traveler's check in a predetermined form and area. A system for issuing the improved traveler's checks includes: an identification imaging apparatus for recording the representation of the customer's portrait and signature, a central computer for storing recorded representations and customer account data, and a traveler's check dispenser through which checks may be issued upon proper request.