A voided cheque is a paper cheque that has “VOID” written across the front, rendering it invalid as a form of payment. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site.

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• You can provide a void cheque to a merchant to set up automatic payments (also called pre-authorized payments) for recurring expenses, such as insurance, car payments, rent and utility bills.
• Business firms and other organizations aren’t the only entities that may involve recurring personal payments.
• If you don’t have a checkbook, you might be wondering, how to get a voided check online?
• All you should see is the bank information such as your routing number, account number, and check number, and the word ‘VOID’, which you should have written on the front of the check.
• If you’re going to receive payments from an employer electronically, you can send them a voided check, so they have all of your bank information.

While you don’t strictly need a voided check to set up a direct deposit², many employers will ask for one. A voided check can be useful for providing the necessary information for certain electronic payments, such as direct debits. If your online banking portal does not offer this option, you can also ask your bank for one at your local branch. For example, if your company’s payroll department needs a check from you to set up direct deposit, you can provide a voided check. Then you know that no one would be able to alter the check and spend it, because it has been voided. Other examples include profits from annuities, mutual funds, deposit certificates, and income from any investments.

A woman sits at her dining room table with laptop and financial reports doing her monthly budget. More She is smiling at the ease of use as she works on her smart phone banking app to do monthly finances, pay taxes and save money for the future. Our writers and editors used an in-house natural language generation platform to assist with portions of this article, allowing them to focus on adding information that is uniquely helpful.

How to Write a Void Check

In fact, many finance experts argue that it’s safest not to sign void cheques. As mentioned above, voiding a cheque is as simple as writing “VOID” on the cheque. However, you need to make sure that all the numbers at the what is a voided cheque bottom of the cheque are clear and easy to read.

Create a Duplicate of the Voided Check

In the image, the check has the word ‘VOID’ written across its face in capital letters. The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date. We voided a check, which seemed to go normally, but when we went to do the reconciliation, I am off by the voided check amount.

Account holders need to manually void the check before handing it over to the recipient. It means no individual or organization can cash or deposit the check. Voiding the cheque ensures that you aren’t sending out a “blank cheque” that criminals could fill in and use to withdraw money from your account. A void cheque is a cheque with the word “VOID” written across it, which prevents anyone from filling out the cheque and using it to make a payment. Discover what FDIC insurance is, its limits, and the types of accounts it covers.

• Use a pen or marker that is bold and dark enough so that the writing is visible.
• If the other person is making the payments, he or she will need a voided check from you for the same purpose.
• By writing “void” across the front, you can safely destroy the cheque without worrying about anyone using it to make money from your bank account.

Alternatively, you can print the void cheque and provide it to whoever needs it (e.g., your employer to set up a direct deposit). If you need a voided check to set up direct deposit with your employer, you have a couple of choices. You can take a check from your checkbook and write “void” across it in large letters and provide the check to your employer.

While cheques are not used as much as they used to be, void cheques can still come in very handy to help automatize payments. Consumers often provide their own routing and account numbers online without any problem, so voided checks are required less frequently. For example, online banks allow you to link external accounts by typing in those details yourself. Billers, such as utility companies, also accept payments by e-check when customers input their checking account information.

Try Wise – A safe and easy way to transfer money

Voiding a check is a straightforward process that involves writing the word “VOID” on the check. However, both of these often serve the same purpose and an employee or a company you are setting up automatic payments with often will accept either to get your banking information. Companies need a voided check to set up direct deposits for their employees. The checks have the necessary banking information for companies to initiate direct deposits, electronic bill payments and automated clearing house transfers. Many employers ask their employees to submit a voided check in order to set up payroll direct deposit. To do so, an employee simply writes “Void” in large font across a check and gives it to the human resources department.

Step-by-Step Guide to Voiding a Check:

Also be sure not to write over the banking information at the bottom when you write “VOID” on the cheque. But there are reasons why you may need to void a cheque even though you can’t make a payment with it. If you don’t have a paper check, you can always go to your nearest bank branch and request a voided check. If you prefer the convenience that online banking provides, then check out Wise. Wise is a safe and easy way to send, receive and manage your money without any old-fashioned banks involved. If you need to destroy a void cheque, you’ll need to destroy the physical copy of the cheque (or ask the recipient to do so).

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The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. Another option is to use a deposit slip that already has your bank account information printed on it. For instance, you may want to use a direct deposit authorization form. Make sure you don’t make any errors when entering your account number and bank routing number in this manner. Nevertheless, if you don’t have a check, you can head to your local bank branch and ask them to provide you with a check.

You can provide a void cheque to a merchant to set up automatic payments (also called pre-authorized payments) for recurring expenses, such as insurance, car payments, rent and utility bills. This saves you from having to remember to make payments on time and ensuring that a bill never becomes overdue. The easiest way is to just print a void cheque from your online banking portal. Not every bank offers this option but the “Big Five“ Canadian banks such as RBC and CIBC do.