How to void a check
Quick insights
- You might need to void a check for several reasons, such as setting up direct deposit and fixing mistakes.
- The main steps to voiding a check are using blue or black ink, writing “VOID” across the front side and carefully disposing of the check.
- Voided checks still contain sensitive information, so proper disposal is an important safety measure.
Voiding a check is a straightforward way of correcting mistakes on paper checks. Once voided, a physical check cannot be cashed or deposited. This is useful in several situations.
All things considered, however, knowing how to void a check correctly can help protect your bank account and personal information, whether you’re the payer or payee.
Why void a check?
There are several situations when you might need to void a check, but the two most common are fixing mistakes and setting up direct deposit with an employer.
To correct an error
First, you might want to void a check if you make a mistake while writing it, or there are other unintentional markings that possibly make the check unusable. This may include writing down the wrong amount or making it out to the wrong person. You can void a check for any information that is incorrect and then rewrite it on a new check.
To set up direct deposit
Another frequent reason you’d void a check is to set up direct deposit. Employers may ask you to fill out a short authorization form and provide a voided check to get started. The check will be used only to set up your paycheck to be deposited directly into your account, not as a payment method.
Physical checks commonly have an account holder’s name, address, checking and routing numbers. Having all this on a voided check makes it easier for an employer to establish and verify a connection to the bank account where you want your paycheck deposited.
Other ways to set up direct deposit
You may not need or want to use a voided check to establish direct deposit with an employer. Here are several alternatives that could be accepted instead:
- A voided deposit slip that has both your personal and bank account information
- The completed and signed direct deposit authorization form with manual entries for the routing and account numbers
- Getting a voided or starter check from your bank, which may be available online, depending on the financial institution
- Using online banking or your employee web portal to set up direct deposit or electronic payments
Steps to voiding a check
Follow these steps if you’d like to void a physical check:
- Find a blue or black pen. An alternative color pen may not show up correctly or be accepted by the recipient.
- Write “VOID” across the front of the check without covering the account and routing numbers along the bottom edge. It’s helpful if all the letters cover the check number, amount and recipient.
- Discard the voided check. Consider keeping a photocopy in your records if you believe you’ll need it for future reference. Otherwise, you can shred or tear the check into very small pieces before disposing of it.
Disposing of a voided check
You may want to dispose of a voided check, in lieu of holding onto it, for several reasons. Even when a check is voided correctly, it still contains sensitive information, such as the account holder’s name, bank, address and account number.
For extra security, consider using a paper shredder, which makes it difficult to piece the check back together to reveal sensitive information. If you don’t have access to a paper shredder, you can rip up the check into several pieces. Make sure that the sensitive information is not intact when you discard it.
Safety considerations for voided checks
Ultimately, voiding a paper check can be useful in many situations, mainly because there is important banking information which could be dangerous in the wrong hands. Once you’ve voided a check, try to ensure it's either disposed of or kept safely with other sensitive files. In a sense, discarding a voided check is as useful in protecting your finances as voiding it.
