How to Void a Check

Setting up personal financial transactions such as online bill pay, paycheck direct deposits, or automated clearing house (ACH) transfers often require the use of a voided check. A voided check requires the word “VOID” written across it, indicating that it cannot be used for payment.

A voided check includes all pertinent banking information required to ensure correct electronic banking transactions for the 55% of Americans that prefer to pay bills online and nearly 94% of Americans paid via direct deposit.

How to Void a Check

1. Use a blue or black pen.
2. Write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check, or write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date line, payee line, amount line, and signature line, as well as in the amount box.
3. Make a copy of the voided check for your records, noting the check number.

Reasons for Using a Voided Check

• To set up direct payments. Voiding a check may be necessary if you want to schedule electronic payments, either for personal use or if you run a business. For example, if you have a business and your vendors prefer to be paid electronically, then voiding a check may be part of the process to set up automatic payments.
• For direct deposit. Direct deposit can help you get paid faster, but your employer needs certain information from you to get it started, including your bank account number and bank routing number. Voiding a check is a simple way to provide those details.
• Regular bill payments. If you want to pay your mortgage, car loan, or other bills online, then you may have to submit a voided check to schedule payments from your checking account.

Keep in mind that voiding a check may also be necessary if you’re writing a check and making a mistake. If you write the wrong dollar amount, then you’d have to void the check to keep the person or business you write it out to from cashing or depositing it.

It’s important to note that you can’t void a check once you’ve given it to the payee. The only way to stop the check from being cashed or deposited is to request a stop payment from your bank, which may involve a fee.

What If You Don’t Use Checks?

Not every checking account offers checks. Chase, for example, is one of the larger banks offering checkless checking. These types of accounts may appeal to unbanked and underbanked individuals, who represent 5.4% and 18.7% of American households, respectively, according to the most recent FDIC surveys, which date back to 2017 and 2019.

If you have a checking account that doesn’t offer checks, you can try these options for setting up direct deposit or electronic payments.

• Use a deposit slip instead. Deposit slips should also have your routing number and bank account number, and this could be an option if your bank offers them.
• Submit banking details online. If you’re trying to set up online bill payments, you may be able to do that through your online banking access, with no voided checks or paper forms required.
• Ask the bank for a starter check. Your bank may be able to print you a starter or sample check with your routing number and bank account number that you could use for voiding purposes.
• Get other documentation from the bank. If you can’t use a deposit slip or starter check, your bank may be able to provide you with an official letter with your routing and account number that you could use in place of a voided check.