We earn commissions from featured brands, which impact the order and presentation of listings
Advertising Disclosure

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

Search
Banking » Guides » How to Void a Check?

How to Void a Check?

You can void a check by writing the word ‘VOID’ across the face of the check in capital letters. Here's how to do it including an example:
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Table Of Content

Can I Get a Voided Check Online?

You may be asked for a voided check if you want to set up payments from your bank account or direct deposit.

As much as you can detach a check from your supply and void it, you can also get a voided check online in a couple of clicks. Getting a voided check online replaces the need to carry your checkbook around or wait in bank queues.

Most tools to void checks online are compatible with most banks and credit unions in the country. You can void your check using the tools by inputting your information, including your bank name and routing number. Your voided check is then delivered to you via email. 

How Do I Void a Check for Direct Deposit?

A blank check can be drawn against your account, and you can lose money. Employers ask employees to present voided checks to set up direct deposits.

You can void a check by writing the word ‘VOID’ across the face of the check in capital letters. The writing across the face of the check makes it unacceptable for payment because once you void a check, no one can spend or deposit it.

A voided check still has the important banking information visible, including the account number, check number, routing number, drawer’s name, and address.

Below is an example of a check with all the important banking information visible before and after a void.

Voided Check example
Voided check example

Get a blank check and detach it from your checkbook. After detaching a check from your supply, use a blue or black pen to write ‘VOID’ across the front of the check. Also, you can write ‘VOID’ in small letters on the payee line, dateline, amount box, signature, and amount line.

You can visit your bank and ask for a counter-check if you do not have checks. Your bank will print it for you, and then you can void it by writing ‘VOID’ across its face.

While writing the word ‘VOID’ on the face of the check, amount box, or date line, ensure the writing does not cover the routing or account numbers. Those numbers are crucial in identifying your bank account and setting up payments.

Also, you must ensure you write the word ‘VOID’ boldly and clearly to make it impossible to use the check for funds.

After voiding the check, you can keep the original copy for your records and provide a copy to whoever needs it.

When you keep a copy of the check for your records, it is important to note the check number. You can use a copy of the same check for many situations.

Sometimes, you make mistakes when writing a check and you can void it to make it impossible for use for funds. For example, if you write the wrong amount, voiding the check will prevent the person you write it to from depositing it.

How To Void A Check In QuickBooks?

It is easy to void a check through QuickBooks.

  1. On QuickBooks, find the ‘Bookkeeping’ tab then go to ‘Transactions’ and select ‘Expense.’
  2. Under the ‘Expense Transactions,’ select ‘Void’ and look for the check to void.
  3. From the ‘Action’ column, select ‘Void’ from the ‘View or Edit’ drop-down menu.
  4. The system then prompts you to select ‘Yes’ to confirm you want to void the check.

You can void a check payment in QuickBooks because of different reasons, for example, if the vendor did not receive the check.

When you void a check in QuickBooks, it changes the transaction amount to zero but still keeps a transaction record. However, deleting the transaction removes it entirely in QuickBooks.

When You May Need to Use a Voided Check?

There are different situations when you may need to use a voided check, including:

You can void a check if you want to schedule electronic payments to run a business or for personal use.

If you have a business and your suppliers want to be paid electronically, voiding a check forms part of setting up automatic payments.

You must submit a voided check to schedule payments from your checking account. For example, if you want to pay your bills, loans, and mortgages, you submit a voided check to schedule the payments.

When you set up direct deposits, it helps in getting paid faster. Your employer needs banking information to process the direct deposit, including your bank account and routing number.

A voided check is a simple way to provide those details.

You may have to void a check if you are writing a check and you make a mistake. For example, if you write the wrong amount, you may void the check to keep the person or entity you write it from either depositing or cashing it.

However, you cannot void a check after giving it to the payee. After giving a check to the payee, you can only stop the check from being used for funds by requesting your bank to stop the payment. In most cases, banks charge to stop payments.

Void check when Set Up Direct Deposit
Voided check is necessary when setting up a direct deposit. (Photo by Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock)

What Can You Do When You Don’t Have Checks?

You may need to use a voided check when you write a check and make mistakes. Also, you can use voided checks to set up direct deposits, direct payments, and regular bill payments.

However, if you do not have checks, you can use the following options to set up electronic payments and direct deposits.

The options have the necessary banking information and reduce any likelihood of errors.

  • Use deposit slips. If you do not have checks, you can use deposit slips if your bank offers them. The slips have the banking information necessary to set up direct deposit or direct payments, including account and routing numbers.
  • Use a starter check. Your bank may print a sample or starter check with the banking information you can use for voiding purposes.
  • Submit the details online. You may do that through online banking access if you intend to set up online bill payments. The process does not require the use of paper forms or voided checks.
  • Use other bank documentation. If you cannot use a starter check or deposit slip, your bank may provide an official letter with the necessary banking information. You can use the information instead of looking for a voided check.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You can void a blank check by writing ‘VOID’ in capital letters across the face of the check. Also, you can write ‘VOID’ on the amount box, payee line, dateline, or signature line.

After voiding the check, no one can deposit the check or use it to withdraw funds.

You cannot void a check after you have sent it. Instead, you have to reach out to your bank and ask them to stop payment for that specific check number.

Most banks charge for this service.

When you make a stop payment request, the bank stops the check from being deposited or cashed.

You can void a check for direct deposit by writing the word ‘VOID’ across the face of the check. If you do not have a voided check, you can go to your bank, print a counter check, and write ‘VOID’ across its face.

Also, you can ask your bank if they have any specific instructions to set up a direct deposit.

There is always a risk in giving your bank information to another person. There is the risk of the information getting into the wrong hands.  

You can send your voided check as an attachment or image in an email after encrypting and protecting it with a password. Doing so will make it impossible for criminals to hack.

The duration it takes to void a check depends on several factors. It depends on how fast you can detach a check and write the word ‘VOID’ across its face.

Also, the duration depends on how fast you can go to your bank and have your bank print a counter-check for you.

Checking Accounts Reviews

Checking Accounts Reviews

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Search
Best Checking Accounts
Top Offers From Our Partners

PNC bank logo

Promotion:
Up to $400 Open a new, select Virtual Wallet product and receive $500/$2,000/$5,000 or more in qualifying monthly direct deposits within 60 days to earn a $100/$200/$400 bonus.
Subject to state availability
PNC Virtual Wallet ® is available in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NM, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, and WV. Virtual Wallet ® is offered in the state of MO with the exception of the Greater Kansas City area. Product availability may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary address.

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 7/16/2025
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

fifth-third-bank-logo

Promotion:
$250 $250 cash bonus if you make direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
No Minimum Deposit
Free checking account, no minimum balance, check writing, two days early paycheck

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 

Promotion:
$500 Use Promo Code “RC500” for a $500 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you’ll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

penfed personal loan

APY on Daily Balances
0.15% APY on daily balances of less than $20,000 or 0.35% APY on daily balances of $20,000 up to $50,000
Get paid up to 2 days early
Set up direct deposits and get your paycheck up to 2 days early

Promotion:
Up to $2,500 You could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if you open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through November 22, 2024, and complete qualifying activities: • Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $100,000 to $249,999 in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. • Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $250,000+ in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. – Cash Bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 8 weeks of meeting all the offer requirements
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

UpgradeLogo

Savings Rate: 4.02% APY
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: Up to 4.10% APY
Quontic bank logo
Savings Rate: 3.85% APY
Advertiser Disclosure
We get compensated for these product offers

#1 In Banking

Our Newsletter

Get expert advice, insider tips, fresh banking promotions and rate changes on savings accounts and CDs

Banking Promotions & Latest Rate Updates

Our Banking Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and gain access to expert advice,
insider knowledge, and exclusive updates

Sign Up for

Our Newsletter

Join our community for the latest attractive savings rate changes ,expert insights, and member-only perks

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.