How to void a check (2024)

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Though many financial transactions are now paperless, knowing how to void a physical check is useful at times. According to a 2022 survey by the American Payroll Association, 93% of American workers use direct deposit. So you may need to give your employer a voided check to set things up.

It’s wise to be cautious with your bank account information, so knowing the proper way to void a check could help you set up direct deposit safely and correctly.

Read on to learn exactly how to void a check, why you might need to void a check and what to do if you don’t have any physical checks.

• 3 steps to void a check
• Reasons for voiding a check
• Safety precautions with voided checks
• Voiding checks FAQ
• What’s next: Set up direct deposit without a voided check

3 steps to void a check

Voiding a check is as simple as writing “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check, but there are a few other things to keep in mind. Follow these three steps to achieve a properly voided check.

Step 1: Start with a blank check

When you’re submitting a voided check for direct deposit or automatic payments, you don’t need to include any information on the regular lines. After you grab a blank check from your checkbook, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Use blue or black ink to write “VOID”

Using a blue or black pen — preferably one with indelible gel ink — write “VOID” in large letters across the entire front of the check, making sure not to cover the routing or account numbers. Those numbers are what the person receiving the voided check will use to identify your checking account.

By writing “VOID” on the check, you’ll prevent anyone from filling out the check and cashing it. There’s just one more step in the process.

Step 3: Make a copy of the voided check

Make a copy of the voided check to send to your employer or whoever else needs it. You can also keep a copy for yourself as a reminder that the check with this number was not used for a specific payment.

Note the voided check in your check register for recordkeeping purposes, then destroy the original check as a safeguard.

Reasons for voiding a check

In a variety of situations, providing a voided check enables you to share your checking account information without allowing anyone to use the blank check.

Here are a few times when a voided check may be necessary:

1. Setting up direct deposit: If you choose to have your paycheck deposited directly into your checking account, your employer may ask for a voided check so they can view your account details to arrange delivery.
2. Establishing automatic payments: Some recurring payments, like loans or utility bills, can be automatically deducted from your checking account on a set schedule, but this often requires a voided check to set up.
3. Voiding a check with errors: After filling out a check, you may notice that you’ve made a mistake in the recipient’s name or the amount. You can simply void the check by writing “VOID” on it, then write a new check.

Safety precautions with voided checks

When voiding a check, these safety measures can help you to protect yourself from scammers. Criminals can steal mail, then physically wash checks with chemicals and rewrite the check’s value and recipient.

You can safeguard your voided checks by using long-lasting indelible gel in pens, preferably with black ink. This type of ink is harder to wash out.

Once you’ve voided a check and made copies of it, shredding the original check is a good idea to help prevent fraudsters from getting their hands on it.

Voiding checks FAQ

Since physical checks are used less frequently, many people have questions related to voiding checks. Here are a few of the common questions people often have:

What’s next: Set up direct deposit without a voided check

With the rise of online banks, your checking account may not come with a supply of paper checks. If you don’t have access to paper checks that you can void and provide to your employer or a merchant who needs one, there are other ways to set up ACH transactions.

• In many cases, your employer can establish direct deposit simply by you providing your routing and account numbers, as well as how your name appears on the account. Check with your employer’s payroll department to determine if this is an option.
• The company requesting a voided check may be able to accept printed deposit slips that have your banking account information on them instead of a check.
• Many banks now offer digital checks or a pre-filled direct deposit authorization form for ACH setup purposes. You can usually fill these out online.
• Check with the merchant you want to pay or the lender to whom you make loan payments to see if they have online options for enrolling in automatic bill payment.

Knowing how to void a check is useful whether you need to set up auto-pay for a loan or want to start receiving your paycheck via direct deposit. Voided checks allow you to protect your funds from unauthorized use while also providing your pertinent financial information.

Sourcing

• Use of digital paperless payments. New trends in US consumer digital payments | McKinsey & Company (October 2021)
• Percentage of Americans using direct deposit. Getting Paid in America Survey | American Payroll Association (2022)
• Recommended ink color for checks. Here’s What Color Ink You Should Use to Sign Your Checks to Avoid Fraud, According to BBB | NBC5 Chicago (September 2022)
• BBB tip on destroying old checks. Better Business Bureau: Check washing can clean you out | Jackson Sun (February 2023)
• Decline of personal checks | The writing’s on the wall for the paper check – but I’m still going to miss it | The Guardian (January 2023)
• Voiding a check with errors. Voided check definition | AccountingTools (January 2023)
• Definition of check washing. Check Washing | U.S. Postal Inspection Service (September 2022)
• Recommendation of black gel ink for check writing. Here’s What Color Ink You Should Use to Sign Your Checks to Avoid Fraud, According to BBB | NBC5 Chicago (September 2022)
• Definition and purpose of a counter check. What is a Counter Check? | My Accounting Course (2023)