What Is a Voided Check and How Do You Use One?

July 13, 2026 Lord AI Editorial Team 0 Comments

Quick answer: A voided check is a real check from your account that has the word VOID written across it so it cannot be used for payment. People often use voided checks to give employers, payroll providers, billers, or financial institutions their routing number and account number for direct deposit, automatic payments, or account verification. A voided check should never be signed or filled out as a payable check.

Banking documents and pen on a desk — A voided check shares account details without authorizing a payment from that check.

What Is a Voided Check?

A voided check is a check that has been intentionally canceled before use. The word VOID tells anyone who sees it that the check should not be cashed, deposited, or treated as a payment. The check still shows important banking information, including your name, bank name, routing number, account number, and sometimes your address.

That information is exactly why voided checks are useful. Many organizations ask for a voided check when they need to set up electronic deposits or withdrawals. The check confirms the account details in a format that is familiar to banks and payroll systems.

Why Would Someone Ask for a Voided Check?

A voided check is commonly requested for direct deposit. For example, a new employer may ask for one so your paycheck can be deposited into your checking account. A pension provider, government benefits office, insurance company, or investment account may ask for the same thing.

Voided checks are also used for automatic payments. A mortgage company, utility provider, insurance company, landlord, or subscription service may need your routing and account number to pull payments from your checking account. In some cases, a bank or credit union may request a voided check to link an external account.

What Information Is on a Voided Check?

A voided check usually shows:

Your name and sometimes your address.
The bank or credit union name.
The routing number.
The account number.
The check number.

The routing number identifies the financial institution. The account number identifies your specific account. The check number identifies that individual check. For direct deposit and ACH payments, the routing and account numbers are the main pieces of information needed.

How to Void a Check Correctly

Take a blank check from your checkbook. Do not fill in the date, payee, amount, or signature. Using a dark pen, write VOID in large letters across the front of the check. Write big enough that the check cannot be used as payment, but avoid covering the routing number and account number at the bottom if the organization needs to read them.

You can write VOID across the center, or write it in the payee, amount, and signature areas. The goal is to make the check unusable while keeping the bank details readable. If you accidentally cover the numbers, use another check or ask the organization if a direct deposit form is acceptable instead.

Do Not Sign a Voided Check

A voided check does not need your signature. In fact, signing it can create unnecessary risk. A signature is used to authorize checks. A voided check is only meant to provide account information. Leave the signature line blank unless a bank or official form specifically instructs otherwise.

Also do not write a payee name or payment amount. The check is not meant to pay anyone. It is only a reference document for account setup.

How to Use a Voided Check for Direct Deposit

If your employer asks for a voided check, write VOID across a blank check and give it through the secure method they request. Many employers also require a direct deposit form where you choose checking or savings, enter your account number, routing number, and sometimes attach the voided check.

Double-check whether the deposit should go to checking or savings. A check normally points to a checking account. If you want direct deposit into savings, ask the bank for the correct routing and account information or a direct deposit letter.

How to Use a Voided Check for Automatic Payments

For automatic payments, the company may use your voided check to set up ACH withdrawals. That means money can be pulled from your account according to the payment agreement. Before providing a voided check, understand the amount, timing, authorization terms, and how to cancel or change the payment.

Keep a copy of the authorization or agreement. A voided check alone does not explain the payment terms. The agreement does.

Direct Deposit vs. Automatic Withdrawal

Direct deposit sends money into your account, such as paychecks, benefits, refunds, or reimbursements. Automatic withdrawal pulls money out of your account, such as a mortgage payment, insurance premium, utility bill, or subscription. Both may use the routing and account numbers from a voided check, but the risk is different.

For incoming deposits, the main concern is accuracy. For withdrawals, the main concern is authorization. Make sure you know who can debit the account, how much they can take, and when the payment will happen.

Can You Use a Bank Letter Instead?

Yes, many organizations accept a bank letter, direct deposit form, or account verification letter instead of a voided check. This is useful if you do not have paper checks, use an online bank, or do not want to share a check image.

A bank letter usually lists your name, bank name, routing number, account number, and account type. Some banks let you download it from online banking. Others require a branch visit or secure message request.

What If You Do Not Have Checks?

If you do not have checks, do not order a full box just to create one voided check unless you truly need checks. Ask the organization whether they accept a direct deposit form, bank letter, screenshot from secure banking, or printed account details. Many employers and payment providers no longer require an actual voided check.

If they insist on a voided check, your bank may be able to provide a counter check or temporary check. Policies vary, and some banks do not offer them.

Is It Safe to Email a Voided Check?

Be careful. A voided check contains sensitive account information. Avoid sending it through ordinary email if a secure upload portal, payroll system, encrypted message, or in-person delivery is available. If you must send a digital copy, ask the recipient for the safest method.

Do not post a voided check image in a chat, public form, or unsecured message. Anyone who sees the routing and account number may have enough information to attempt unauthorized transactions.

How to Store and Dispose of Voided Checks

If you need to keep a voided check for records, store it with other financial documents. If you do not need it, shred it. Do not throw it away whole. Even though the check cannot be used as a normal check, the account information is still sensitive.

If you created the voided check from your checkbook, record the check number as void in your check register. Use $0.00 as the amount and write the reason, such as direct deposit setup or automatic payment form.

Voided Check vs. Canceled Check

A voided check is canceled before it is used. A canceled check usually means a check that was already processed and paid by the bank. People sometimes mix up the terms, but they are not the same. If an employer asks for a voided check, they usually want a blank check marked VOID, not an old paid check.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not sign a voided check. Do not fill in a payee or amount. Do not cover the routing and account numbers if they need to be read. Do not send it through an insecure channel if you have a safer option. Do not give a voided check to a person or company you do not trust. Do not forget to record the voided check number.

If you lose a voided check or believe your account details were shared with the wrong person, contact your bank. The bank can explain monitoring options and whether changing account numbers is necessary.