A voided check is a paper check with the word “VOID” written across the front so it cannot be used for payment, while the routing and account numbers at the bottom stay readable. It is the standard way to hand your banking details to an employer or biller safely. This guide shows how to void one correctly, what to do if you do not have a checkbook, and how to get rid of a voided check without exposing your account.
This page is part of our types of checks series.
Quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A check marked VOID that cannot be cashed but still shows your account details |
| What is it for? | Setting up direct deposit, autopay, and other electronic transfers |
| How do you make one? | Write VOID across the front in ink, without covering the numbers |
| No checkbook? | Use a bank letter, deposit slip, or prefilled form instead |
| Is it safe to give out? | Yes, to a trusted party, but it still holds sensitive numbers |
Why anyone still needs a voided check
Even in a mostly digital world, a voided check is the simplest proof of your bank account. The most common reason is direct deposit: when you start a job, payroll often asks for a voided check to capture your routing and account numbers accurately. You may also be asked for one to set up automatic bill payments, a landlord’s rent autopay, or recurring transfers. Providing a voided check is safer than a blank one, because a blank check can be filled in and cashed by anyone.
How to void a check, step by step
1. Use a blue or black pen. Permanent ink is best. Other colors may not scan clearly.
2. Write VOID in large capital letters across the front. Make it big enough to cover the middle of the check so it cannot be mistaken for a usable check. Some people prefer to write smaller VOIDs on each field: the date, payee, amount, and signature lines. Either approach works.
3. Do not cover the numbers at the bottom. The routing number, account number, and check number must stay readable. That strip is the whole point, since it is what the employer or biller needs.
4. Do not sign it. Leave the signature line blank. A signature can cause confusion.
5. Record it. Note the check number in your check register or a secure note, marked as voided, so you do not later think it is missing or unused.
If you already wrote out the check before deciding to void it, you can still void it with the same steps. But once you have handed a check to a payee, you cannot void it. At that point the only option is to ask your bank for a stop payment, which usually carries a fee.
No checkbook? Here is what to use instead
Plenty of people no longer keep paper checks. You do not need them to set up direct deposit. Any of these provide the same routing and account information:
- A prefilled direct deposit form. Many banks generate one inside their app or website with your details already filled in. This is often the fastest option.
- A bank letter. Ask your bank for an official letter stating your name, routing number, and account number, signed by a representative.
- A deposit slip. The slips at the back of a checkbook, or ones your bank can print, carry the same numbers. Confirm your employer accepts one first.
- A secure payroll portal. Some employers let you enter your banking details directly through an encrypted portal, with no paper at all.
How to dispose of a voided check safely
A voided check cannot be cashed, but it still displays your account and routing numbers, and even your address. That information is valuable to identity thieves, and criminals have been known to “wash” ink off checks to reuse them. Do not just toss a voided check in the trash.
- Shred it, ideally with a cross cut shredder that turns it into confetti.
- Or cut it up by hand, slicing directly through the account and routing numbers, your name, and your address.
- Or ask your bank to dispose of it for you.
The same care applies to a voided check you send electronically. Only share a photo or scan through a secure channel, and only with a trusted employer or biller, never a generic email address.
Is it safe to give someone a voided check?
Generally yes, to a party you trust, because the VOID mark stops it from being used as payment and you are only sharing information needed to deposit money into your account, not withdraw it. Still, treat it with care. Confirm who is asking and why, especially the first time you deal with a new employer or company, and send it through a secure method.
Frequently asked questions
What does a voided check look like? A normal check with “VOID” written boldly across the front in ink, with the routing and account numbers at the bottom still visible.
Can a voided check be cashed? No. Once it is properly marked VOID, it cannot be used for payment or deposit.
How do I void a check for direct deposit if I have no checks? Use a prefilled direct deposit form from your bank’s app, an official bank letter, or a deposit slip. Ask your employer which they accept.
Do I sign a voided check? No. Leave the signature line blank.
Is it safe to email a voided check? Only through a secure channel and only to a trusted recipient. It still contains your account and routing numbers.
Lead Paragraph publishes general information, not financial or legal advice. If you are setting up payments, confirm requirements with your bank or employer.
