How To Void a Check

Even in a world of digital payments and mobile banking, there are still times when you'll need a paper check, and specifically, a voided one.

Whether you're setting up direct deposit with a new employer or arranging automatic bill payments, knowing how to void a check the right way takes about 30 seconds and can protect your bank account from unauthorized use.

Here's exactly how to do it.

Key Terms

• Keep the routing and account numbers readable.

  Those bottom-edge numbers are the whole point when you void a check for direct deposit or autopay, so don't write over them.

• Never sign a voided check.

  A signature can make it look partially valid and creates a fraud risk.

• You can't void a check once you've handed it over.

  At that point you'd need a stop-payment order, which typically costs $15 to $35 and lasts about six months under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Voiding a Check: Step-by-Step

Voiding a check is simple, but it's worth doing carefully so the check is clearly unusable while your banking information stays readable.

Follow these steps to void a check:

1. Grab a blue or black ink pen. Use permanent ink, since criminals can chemically wash pencil markings off a check and use it fraudulently.

2. Take a blank check from your checkbook. Use a check from the checking account you want linked. If you're voiding a check because you made a mistake writing it, however, you’ll void that check.

3. Write "VOID" in large capital letters across the front of the check. Make the letters big enough to cover most of the check, extending across the payee line, amount line, and amount box. The goal is to make it clear that nobody can fill in payment details and try to cash it.

4. Don't cover the routing and account numbers. These are the numbers along the bottom edge of the check. They're the whole reason someone needs the voided check, because it allows them to verify your banking information and set up electronic transactions.

5. Don't sign the check. A voided check should never be signed. Adding your signature could create confusion or, worse, give someone a way to attempt to use the check.

6. Record the voided check in your register. Note the check number and that it was voided so you can account for it when reviewing your records later.

7. Make a copy for your records. Scan or photograph the voided check before handing it over. You may need it for future reference, and it's good to have proof of what you submitted.

Common Mistakes When Voiding Checks

Voiding a check is straightforward, but these missteps come up more often than you'd think:

• Writing "VOID" too small or too lightly. If the word isn't immediately visible, someone could attempt to fill in the check and use it. Write it large and bold, and know there's no such thing as “too big” here.

• Using pencil or erasable ink. Pencil can be erased, and some inks can be chemically washed off. Always use a permanent blue or black ink pen.

• Signing the voided check. There's no reason to sign a voided check. A signature could make the check look partially valid, which creates a security risk.

• Writing over the routing and account numbers. The whole point of a voided check is to share your banking information without authorizing a payment. If you cover those numbers, the check is useless for its intended purpose.

• Forgetting to record it. Skipping this step can cause confusion when you're reviewing your bank statements or balancing your checkbook. Always note the check number and that it was voided.

• Throwing it away without destroying it. A voided check still has your name, address, bank name, routing number, and account number on it. Tossing it in the trash is a security risk.

Properly Disposing of a Voided Check

Even though a voided check can't be cashed, it still contains sensitive banking information that could be used for fraud. Once you no longer need it, dispose of it securely:

• Shred it. A cross-cut shredder is ideal because it cuts the paper into tiny pieces that can't be reassembled. This is the safest option.

• Tear it into small pieces. If you don't have a shredder, tear the check into very small pieces, taking care to destroy routing and account numbers at the bottom. Scatter the pieces across different trash bags for extra caution.

• Black out the numbers first. Before tearing or shredding, use a permanent marker to obscure your account and routing numbers as an added layer of protection.

• Never recycle it whole. Recycling an intact voided check is just as risky as throwing it in the regular trash. Always destroy it first.

Common Reasons To Void a Check

You might need to void a check more often than you'd expect. Here are the most common situations:

• Setting up direct deposit. When you start a new job, your employer may ask for a voided check to verify your banking details and set up your paycheck for direct deposit.

• Arranging automatic payments. Some companies that handle recurring bills — like mortgage servicers, utility providers or insurance companies — request a voided check to set up autopay from your checking account.

• Correcting a mistake on a check. If you wrote the wrong amount, misspelled the payee's name, or made any other error, it's safer to void the check and start fresh than to cross things out and hope the bank accepts it.

• Canceling a check you haven't sent yet. Changed your mind about a payment? If the check is still in your possession, voiding it ensures it can't be used later by mistake.

• Providing bank account verification. Some landlords, financial institutions, or government agencies may request a voided check as proof of a valid bank account.

The Bottom Line

Voiding a check is one of those small financial tasks that's easy to do but important to get right. Write "VOID" in large letters with permanent ink, keep the routing and account numbers visible, never sign it, and always destroy it securely when you're done.

If you don't have a checkbook, most banks can provide a print out of a voided check or starter check, or your employer may accept a direct deposit authorization form with your banking details instead. Either way, it takes less than a minute — and it's worth doing carefully to keep your account safe.

FAQs

Can a voided check be cashed or deposited?

No, a voided check can’t be cashed or deposited. Writing "VOID" across a check makes it unusable for payment. Banks will not process a properly voided check. However, the check still contains your account information, so secure disposal matters.

What if I already gave the check to someone and need to cancel it?

If the check has left your possession, voiding it isn't an option. You'll need to contact your bank and request a stop payment order, which instructs the bank not to honor the check if someone tries to cash or deposit it. Most banks charge a fee for this service, typically $15 to $35. However, you usually have to renew this every six months.

Can I void a check that's already been filled out?

Yes, you can void a check that’s already been filled out. If you wrote a check but haven't given it to the payee, you can still void it by writing "VOID" in large letters across the front. The existing information (payee name, amount) doesn't matter once it's voided, but just make sure the word is clearly visible.

What can I use instead of a voided check for direct deposit?

If you don't have a checkbook, you have several alternatives instead of voided checks for direct deposit.

Many employers accept a direct deposit authorization form where you manually enter your routing and account numbers. You can also provide a bank deposit slip, request a print out of a voided check or get other documentation of your account from your bank.

Is it safe to email a voided check?

It's generally safe to email a voided check if you're sending it to a trusted recipient like your employer's HR or payroll department, as long as it’s through a secure channel. Since a voided check can't be cashed, the risk is limited.

That said, it still contains your bank account information. If you're concerned, consider password-protecting the file or using your employer's secure upload portal instead of email.

Does voiding a check cost anything?

No. Voiding a check is free; you're simply writing "VOID" on a check you already have. However, if you need to cancel a check that's already been sent, a stop payment order from your bank typically costs $15 to $35 depending on the institution.

Key Terms

• Voided check — A real check marked "VOID" so it can't be used for payment, while still showing the account details needed to set up direct deposit or autopay.

• Routing number — The nine-digit number identifying your bank, printed along the bottom edge of the check.

• Account number — Your specific account identifier, printed at the bottom of the check next to the routing number.

• Direct deposit — An electronic funds transfer that sends your paycheck straight into your bank account, often a day or two faster than a paper check.

• Automatic payment (autopay) — A recurring transfer that pulls money from your account to pay a bill on a set date each cycle.

• Stop-payment order — A request telling your bank not to honor a specific check you've already issued, usually for a fee.

• Check washing — A fraud technique that uses chemicals to erase the ink on a check so it can be rewritten.

• ACH (Automated Clearing House) — The network that moves money between U.S. banks for direct deposits, autopay and other electronic transfers.

Sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — How do automatic payments from a bank account work?

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — You have protections with automatic debit payments

• Cornell Law School — Uniform Commercial Code § 4-403 (stop payment)

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors