Short answer: to void a check, write VOID in large letters across the front with a blue or black pen, covering the payee, amount and signature areas, but not the routing and account numbers along the bottom. Don’t sign it. Record the check number as void in your register. That is the check employers ask for to set up direct deposit. Facts checked November 11, 2026.
Order checks at Checks Unlimited →
Affiliate link: GetBankChecks.com earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
On this page
How to void a check in 4 steps
- Use a blue or black pen. Not pencil, which can be erased. Chase’s guide also recommends blue or black ink, since other colors may not show up or be accepted.
- Write VOID across the front. In large letters through the date, payee, amount and signature areas, so no part of the check can be filled in and used. Alternatively write VOID in each field.
- Leave the bottom line readable. Don’t write over the routing number, account number or check number printed along the bottom edge; whoever asked for the voided check needs to read them.
- Record it. Write the check number and “VOID” in your check register so your records don’t show a missing check.
Don’t sign a voided check. If you don’t need to hand it over, shred it or tear it into small pieces, since it still shows your name, bank and account number.
Why you might void a check
- You made a mistake while writing it. Void it and write a new one instead of crossing out; see how to write a check.
- Direct deposit of your paycheck or benefits.
- Automatic payments, such as a loan, rent or utility autopay.
- Mail-in check orders. Checks Unlimited’s FAQ asks mail-in customers to send an order form with a voided check from the account.
Voided checks for direct deposit
Employers and payroll providers ask for a voided check because it shows your bank’s routing number and your account number in a standard, hard-to-mistype format. Attach it to the direct deposit authorization form; VOID across the front means the check can’t be filled in and cashed, though the account and routing numbers are still visible.
| Number on the bottom of the check | What it is |
|---|---|
| First group (9 digits) | Bank routing number |
| Second group | Your account number |
| Third group | Check number (matches the number at top right) |
On some checks the check number comes before the account number; the routing number is always the 9-digit group, set off by small bracket-like transit symbols.
No checks? Alternatives to a voided check
- A direct deposit form from your bank’s app or website, pre-filled with your routing and account numbers.
- A voided deposit slip with your account information.
- A printed letter or screenshot from your bank showing your account details, if the employer accepts it.
- A counter check or starter check from a branch, which you can void. See counter checks or how to get a checkbook.
Already sent the check? Voiding won’t stop it
Writing VOID only works on a check you still have. If you have mailed or handed over a check and need to cancel it, call your bank and ask for a stop payment before it is cashed; banks usually charge a fee for this.
Where to order checks: prices
If you need a check to void, here is what a box of plain blue personal checks costs on each printer’s own site today:
| Checks | Checks per box | 1 box | 2 boxes | 4 boxes | Duplicates (1 / 2 / 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checks Unlimited Blue Classic | 80 | $23.49 | $38.99 | $72.29 | $29.49 / $48.99 / $90.49 |
| Checks Unlimited High Security Parchment | 80 | $28.49 | $49.59 | $87.69 | $34.49 / $59.79 / $106.19 |
| Carousel Checks basic blue (VAL-001) | 100 | $20.00 | $39.50 | $79.00 | $22.00 / $44.00 / $88.00 |
| Walmart Checks Blue Secure | 100 | $12.75 | $25.49 | $50.99 | $14.46 / $28.92 / $57.85 |
Prices checked November 11, 2026 on each seller’s own product page, before shipping and taxes. Checks Unlimited says its product prices include handling fees and sells 80 checks per box; Walmart Checks lists free standard shipping and 100 checks per pack; Carousel sells 100 checks per box. Prices change, so confirm them at checkout.
How to void a check: frequently asked questions
How do I void a check for direct deposit?
Write VOID in large letters across the front of a blank check in blue or black ink, without covering the routing and account numbers at the bottom, and don’t sign it. Attach it to your direct deposit form.
Can I void a check that I already gave someone?
No. VOID only works on a check you still hold. For a check you already sent, ask your bank for a stop payment before it is cashed.
Is it safe to give someone a voided check?
Generally, yes, to an employer or company you trust. VOID makes it unusable as a payment, but it still shows your account and routing numbers, so only give it to people who need them.
Do I need to record a voided check?
Yes. Note the check number as void in your register so the gap in check numbers doesn’t look like a missing or stolen check.
Need a checkbook? Checks Unlimited sells 80 checks from $23.49.
Shop personal checks at Checks Unlimited →
Checks Unlimited prices checked November 11, 2026, before shipping. Affiliate link: GetBankChecks.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Related guides
- Where to order checks
- How to stop payment on a check
- How to read a check
- How to write a check
- How to endorse a check
- Check registers
- Counter checks
- How to get a checkbook
- Deposit slips
- Cheapest checks 2026
Affiliate disclosure: GetBankChecks.com is an independent guide, not a check printer or a bank. Some links are affiliate links, and we earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and designs change, so check them on the merchant’s site before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal or banking advice; your bank’s rules apply.