How to Void a Check You Already Have

Quick version: take a check, write the word VOID in large letters across the front with a dark pen, and leave the row of numbers along the bottom edge alone. Do not sign it. Then write the check number in your register so you know that check is used up. That is the whole job.

A voided check is a check that can no longer be cashed but still shows your bank's routing number (the nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number. People hand one over to set up direct deposit or automatic payments. Here is how to do it with a check you already have in front of you.

Void it in five steps

1. Use a dark, permanent pen

Black or blue ink works best. Skip pencil, and skip erasable pens. If the word VOID can be rubbed out, someone can un-void the check and cash it. A regular ballpoint or a felt-tip marker is fine.

2. Write VOID big, across the front

Make it large enough to run across most of the check. One clear word is plenty. You want it obvious to any person or machine that this check is dead.

If you would rather aim at the key spots than write one giant word, run VOID across three fields: the payee line (where a name goes), the amount box, and the signature line. Cover those and no one can fill the check in and cash it.

3. Keep the bottom numbers readable

Along the bottom edge of every check is a row of odd-looking digits. That is the MICR line (short for magnetic ink character recognition). It holds your routing number, your account number, and the check number. Whoever you give the check to needs to read those clearly, so keep your VOID mark off them. If those digits get covered or smudged, your direct deposit or payment setup can be delayed.

4. Do not sign it

Leave the signature line blank. A voided check does not need a signature, and a real one is worth stealing. Someone could copy it onto another document. There is no reason to add one here.

5. Record the check number

The check number is in the top right corner, and again in that row of digits at the bottom. Write it in your check register or note it in your banking app, and mark it "void." This keeps your running balance right and stops you wondering later why a check number is missing.

That is it. Before you hand the check over, snap a quick photo of the front so you have a record of which check you gave and to whom.

What not to do

• Do not cover the numbers. The routing and account numbers along the bottom are the entire reason you are handing over the check. Keep them clear.
• Do not tear it up. If someone asked for a voided check to get your account details, ripping it up defeats the purpose. Void it and hand it over instead.
• Do not sign it. Worth repeating. A blank signature line is the safer choice.
• Do not use pencil or erasable ink. It can be removed, which un-voids the check.
• Do not write VOID so small it hides in a corner. It should be impossible to miss.

Can I void a check I already filled out?

Yes. Say you wrote a check for a bill, then set up autopay and no longer need it. Write VOID across the front the same way, and note the check number in your register. As long as the check is still in your hands, it never reaches the bank, so there is nothing more to do.

It is different once a check has left your hands, for example after you drop it in the mail. Voiding your copy at home does nothing then. To stop a check that is already out there, call your bank and ask for a stop payment order. Most banks charge a fee for that, often around $30.

Do I need to tell my bank?

No. A check you void yourself never gets sent to the bank for payment, so there is nothing for them to process. You only involve the bank when a check has already gone out and you want it blocked.

No checkbook to void?

This guide assumes you have a check in hand. Not having one is common now, and there are other ways to share your account details. See how to get a voided check for the full list, including asking your bank for a direct deposit form or a letter. If you need something that looks like a real check fast, you can also create a voided check in about a minute.