How do you void a check step by step?
- Take a blank check, or the one with the mistake on it
- Use a blue or black pen, ideally pigmented gel ink
- Write VOID in large letters across the front, from the date area to the signature line
- Keep the MICR line along the bottom readable, since that is what direct deposit forms use
- Do not sign the check
- Write VOID in the register or software entry for that check number
- Hand it over, file it or shred it depending on why you voided it
Some people also write VOID on the payee line, the amount box and the signature line separately. That is fine, as long as the numbers at the bottom stay clear. Never use pencil or an erasable pen, since a voided check should stay void.
If you are voiding a check because of a mistake, check the rest of the book too. A torn or misprinted check sometimes means the next one in the pad is damaged as well, and it is easier to catch that now than at the bank counter.
Why must you keep the bottom numbers readable?
When you give a voided check for direct deposit or automatic payments, the payroll team or billing company copies two numbers from the MICR line at the bottom: the nine digit routing number and your account number. The check number also appears there. If VOID covers those digits, the check is useless for its purpose.
| MICR position | What it is | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Left group, between special symbols | Routing number, 9 digits | Identifies your bank |
| Middle group | Account number | Identifies your account |
| Right group, or first on business checks | Check number | Matches the paper check |
Business checks often print the check number on the left of the MICR line and the routing and account numbers after it. Our guide to routing number vs account number shows how to tell them apart, and our explainer on what MICR is covers the magnetic ink itself.
When do you need to void a check?
| Reason | What to do with the voided check |
|---|---|
| Setting up payroll direct deposit | Give it to your employer or payroll provider |
| Setting up automatic bill payments | Give it or a copy to the biller |
| Mistake in the amount or payee | Record it and shred it |
| Check damaged or misprinted | Record it and shred it |
| Payment cancelled before it was sent | Record it and shred it |
| Laser check jammed in the printer | Record the number, then reprint on the next check |
For a business, voided checks from printer jams are common. Record the check number as void in your accounting software before reprinting, so your sequence stays complete and your positive pay file marks it void.
How do you record a voided check?
Every check number must be accounted for. In a paper register, write the check number, the date, the word VOID where the payee would go, and zero in the amount column. The running balance does not change.
In accounting software, use the void command on the check rather than deleting it. In QuickBooks and similar programs, voiding keeps the check number in the register with a zero amount, which preserves your audit trail. Deleting it leaves a gap that looks like a missing check at reconciliation, and our guide to balancing a checkbook shows where voided numbers fit in the monthly routine. If your bank uses positive pay, flag the number as void in the issued check file so it cannot clear if it ever surfaces.
Should you shred a voided check or keep it?
Shred it unless someone needs it for direct deposit or bill pay. Even a correctly voided check shows your name, address, bank, routing number and account number, which is enough to create counterfeits. Chase, for example, recommends shredding or tearing a voided check into small pieces.
If you need a record, write the number in your register first, or keep a scan in a secure folder rather than the paper itself. For checks that jam in a laser printer, shred them the same day rather than leaving them by the printer.
What can you use instead of a voided check for direct deposit?
Many employers and billers accept alternatives, which is useful if you do not have paper checks or prefer not to hand one over. Common options:
- A direct deposit form from your bank, often downloadable in online banking
- A letter or account verification from your bank showing routing and account numbers
- A voided deposit slip, if the employer accepts it
- Entering your numbers directly in the payroll portal
- A counter or starter check from your branch
Ask the employer which they accept. Whichever you use, confirm the routing number is the one for electronic deposits; some banks use different routing numbers for wires.
Can you void a check after it has been sent?
Writing VOID only works on a check you still hold. If you already mailed or handed over a check you want to cancel, you need a stop payment. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a written stop payment order lasts six months, while an oral one lapses after 14 days unless confirmed in writing. Banks usually charge a fee. Record the stopped check in your register so you do not count it as outstanding forever.
What should you do when you run out of checks to void?
If you need to void a check for direct deposit but have no checks, your bank's direct deposit form is usually the fastest route. If your business still writes checks, order a supply that matches how you pay, and run through our business check order checklist so the name, routing number and account number on the new checks match your bank records exactly. For the full routine of writing and recording checks, see our step by step guide on how to write a check, and when you are ready to reorder, you can compare business check formats in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a voided check from a different checkbook?
Yes, as long as it is for the same account you want deposits to go to. The routing and account numbers on the bottom are what matter. If you have checks from an old or closed account, do not use them, since deposits would go to the wrong place or be rejected.
Does voiding a check cost anything?
No. Writing VOID on a check you still hold is free and involves no bank action. A stop payment on a check you already sent is different: banks usually charge a fee for that, and the amount varies by bank and account type.
Can I void a check in pencil?
No. Use permanent blue or black ink. Pencil and erasable ink can be removed, which could let someone erase VOID and use the check. A pigmented gel pen is the safest choice because its ink resists the chemicals used to wash checks.
Do I need to sign a voided check?
No, and you should not. A voided check does not need a signature for direct deposit or bill pay setup, because the recipient only needs the numbers on the bottom. Leaving it unsigned adds one more reason it cannot be cashed.
Sources & specification notes
The references below support the relevant technical or product details in this guide. Examples and checklists are not claims of practical testing or universal supplier requirements. Confirm the current specifications for your chosen product before production.
- Chase: How to void a check ↗
Supports the steps, keeping routing and account numbers visible, alternatives for direct deposit and shredding.
- Cornell LII: UCC 4-403 ↗
Sets the six month duration of written stop payment orders and the 14 day lapse for oral ones.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: How do I stop payment on a check? ↗
Confirms banks usually charge a fee and that procedures vary.
