How to Void a Check: A Quick & Easy Guide

Although some mistakes can be corrected by marking the incorrect information and initialing it, this is not always a safe practice. It’s essential to note that some businesses may not accept such corrections. The check could still be run through the bank’s system for the incorrect amount. And in such cases, the mistake may not be noticed until the check is returned to your bank or rejected by the recipient’s bank, causing the check to bounce. Rather than figuring out the process as it comes up, learn everything you need to know about voiding a check now so that you’re fully prepared in the future.

Next, we’ll break down simple instructions for voiding a check properly. Any bank teller (even those working the first hour of their first shift) will understand that the check itself is anything but legitimate and you will have nothing to worry about. For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) hasworked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. This streamlined process eliminates the need for physical checks while ensuring accuracy and security.

Reasons for Voiding a Check

You’ll then be able to grab a pen and void the check in the exact manner we’ve described above. However, you want to make sure the word is clearly seen so that thieves can’t write in any information and cover up the word. You don’t need to sign the check or add any other information when you’re voiding it. Next, list the check in your check register so that you don’t forget where it went. Sometimes mistakes happen when writing a personal check, like putting in the wrong name or incorrect amount, rendering it useless.

How long should I keep a record of voided checks?

Financial security is a top priority, and FormPros ensures your data is protected when generating digital nullified check. We’ve put together a list of the best banks that don’t use ChexSystems or require a credit check. Voided checks may not be as popular as they once were, but it’s still important to know how to void a check, what they look like, and what their purpose is. Always remember to keep track of any checks you void out to prevent identity theft or fraud. Grasp the meaning of APY in banking and CDs with our in-depth guide. Discover how APY impacts your financial choices and maximizes your savings.

What is a Voided Check for Direct Deposit?

• In order to send the correct information to the bank to stop payment, you will need to extract the requisite information from either a copy of the check or the check register.
• No matter who the check was written out to or how much it might be written for, the check can no longer be presented to a bank or credit union for payment.
• If you want to be extra careful, you might write “Void” across the payee line, as well as on the signature line and in the payment box.
• The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us.
• Once you have a void check, make sure to write it down and keep track of where it went in case you get confused later on.

When doing this, make sure that the writing covers all of the blank space in the check yet don’t cover the account details. Use a pen or marker that is bold and dark enough so that the writing is visible. No one should be able to erase the wording on a properly voided check. A direct deposit is a way that government institutions, employers, and other agencies pay their workers electronically, using your bank account details. It’s a cost-effective and straightforward approach, which only requires your routing number and bank account number.

We can examine the report for any discrepancies or issues, and customize the report to gather more information and focus on specific details. I appreciate your efforts in following NicoleAscencionS’s answer, @J-Ro. Allow me to help you further so you can successfully reconcile your accounts in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). It doesn’t matter if someone else picks that check up and tries to write over it.

If you don’t have a spare blank check and still need to figure out how to get a voided check, there are a couple of options as well. Just remember to leave the bottom of the check where your checking account and routing number are listed legible, otherwise it won’t be much good as a voided check. The process of figuring out how to void the check by writing VOID clearly across it guarantees that anyone the check might be handed to cannot simply fill in the blanks and draw money from your account. If you’ve made an error or no longer wish to use a check that you’ve started writing, simply write “VOID” across it as described above.

Simply use a blank check and write ‘VOID’ in large letters across the front. Then, use a pen with black ink and make the word large enough to be read. While many people have switched to using debit cards instead of paper checks, there are times when you may still need a check. There are also instances when a company requests a voided check, or when you wish to have a check voided for your own purposes.

Many times, this won’t have your personal information written on top, but it will include your banking information. Grab a check out of your checkbook, and write “void” across the front. Write with well-spaced letters that are tall and wide enough to cover the whole face of the check without obscuring the banking information at the bottom. You want to make it difficult for thieves to erase or cover your void mark. The most common use for a voided check is to establish a direct deposit¹.

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Writing the word “VOID” on top of the written information prevents someone from using it. While we don’t feature every company, financial product, or offer available, the information, reviews, and tools you’ll find on Crediful are based on independent research. If you don’t have a check to give, ask whether you can provide a counter check, a copy of a deposit slip, or a letter from your bank. You also might be able to provide your routing and account numbers directly. Electronic money, or e-money, is a simple way to send, spend, and receive payments online. As we start to move away from cash or checks, e-money transfers are…

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We’ll never steer you in the wrong direction just because a company pays us. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. Make a note in your check register so that you’ll know where the check went.

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• With the routing and account numbers from your voided check, your employer can arrange to have your paycheck deposited directly into your account on payday, saving you time and hassle.
• If you prefer the convenience that online banking provides, then check out Wise.
• We’ll never steer you in the wrong direction just because a company pays us.
• The bank teller will have to print it out for you, so you could void it and use it as needed according to the instructions outlined here.
• We’re able to offer this content free of charge because some of the companies featured on our site compensate us.

No, it isn’t necessary to sign or put any information on a voided check. Never again do you have to worry about finding your checkbook several times a month and firing off payment through the mail (hoping it gets there on time). This can be because you are looking to make an ACH or Wire payment to someone’s account or to receive an ACH or wire into your bank account. However, you don’t want to take any kind of chances when it comes to your banking information. Make sure to note its official check number in your ledger as whats a voided check? you do. Make a note of “VOID check” to make sure you know why that check is skipped when you’re balancing your checkbook.

Some institutions may accept a printed online banking statement that includes your account and routing numbers. Lastly, digital forms or authorization through your bank’s online system to provide the necessary information electronically are increasingly accepted. You can also use a voided check to set up automatic payments to come out of your checking account automatically. This information is most often used to set up an electronic link to your bank account.

You can even directly link your Wise account to your US bank, brokerage, credit card provider, PayPal, and many other services — and automate your payments through direct debits, which are free. As a business owner, you’ll need a voided check during the funding process so that your lender knows where to deposit your funds. Setting up direct deposit for your paychecks (or for one-off payments, if you are a freelancer for example) is incredibly simple with the help of a check that has been voided out.

Voided checks can serve an important role in direct deposits and other ongoing transactions. To ensure accurate reconciliation, uncheck the box in the cleared column for the voided check, J-Ro. If you don’t have any checks at hand, you can visit your bank’s nearest branch and ask for a counter check. The bank teller will have to print it out for you, so you could void it and use it as needed according to the instructions outlined here. If you make a mistake while filling out a check, it’s paramount that you void it or destroy it. You probably won’t use this check for anything, so keeping it is risky because it can be used for fraud.

If you have access to a check printer, you can print the check and use it for whatever financial actions. This isn’t the best possible option, but it will provide you with the relevant bank information. If you already sent a check to someone, then it is not possible to void it. The recipient will be able to cash the check unless you immediately contact your bank and have them issue a stop payment on that check. Doing so will block the bank from honoring the check when the payee presents it.