What Does a Void Check Mean and When Do You Need One?

A check is a written order directing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from a checking account. While digital transactions are increasingly common, checks continue to serve various financial purposes. Voiding a check is a routine practice that renders it unusable for payment but preserves its informational value.

Understanding a Voided Check

A voided check is a standard paper check intentionally invalidated by writing “VOID” across its face. This marking ensures the check cannot be cashed or deposited, preventing unauthorized transactions. Despite being unusable for monetary transactions, a voided check retains important financial information. It prominently displays the bank’s routing number, the account holder’s account number, and often the bank’s name and address.

The primary purpose of voiding a check is to securely provide these banking details to a third party. The printed numbers are accurate and verified, reducing errors that could occur from manual transcription. This method offers a reliable way to share sensitive data without the risk of financial misuse.

Common Uses for Voided Checks

Voided checks are frequently requested in situations requiring verified bank account information for electronic transfers. One common scenario is setting up direct deposit for payroll. Employers often require a voided check to obtain correct routing and account numbers, ensuring paychecks are accurately deposited. This process minimizes errors from manual data entry, streamlining the payroll process.

Another widespread use is establishing automated bill payments or electronic fund transfers (EFTs). Utility companies, lenders, or other service providers may request a voided check to set up recurring debits from a bank account, facilitating timely payments. Additionally, if an error is made while writing a check, voiding it immediately prevents accidental use and ensures the check number is accounted for, allowing a new, correct check to be issued.

How to Void a Check

Voiding a check is a straightforward process that must be performed carefully. Begin with a blank check. Using a pen with dark, permanent ink, write “VOID” in large, capital letters across the front of the check. The “VOID” marking should be prominent enough to cover the majority of the check, including the payee line, amount boxes, and signature line, making it clear the check is not for payment.

Avoid obscuring the routing and account numbers at the bottom of the check, as these details are the reason it is being voided. Do not sign or date the check, as adding a signature could create confusion. If the check has a duplicate carbon copy, ensure the “VOID” marking is also visible on the copy for your records.

Security and Record Keeping

After voiding a check, maintaining proper security and records is important. A voided check still contains sensitive account information, including your routing and account numbers, so it should be handled with care. Only provide a voided check to trusted entities, such as an employer or a financial institution, who have a legitimate need for your banking details. When transmitting the check electronically, use secure, encrypted channels rather than standard email.

For record-keeping, note the check number in your check register or personal records, along with the date and the reason for voiding it. If the voided check is not being submitted to a third party, proper disposal is essential to prevent fraud or identity theft. Shredding the check is the safest method, ensuring that the account and routing numbers are destroyed. If a shredder is unavailable, tear the check into small pieces, especially through the numerical information, before discarding.