To get a voided check from your bank, you have three practical options: print one from your bank’s online portal or mobile app, ask a teller at a branch for a counter check, or use an official substitute such as a direct deposit form or a signed bank letter. Which one works depends on your bank, since not every institution offers a downloadable check image.
Through Online or Mobile Banking
Many banks let account holders pull up a check image or a direct deposit form from inside the online portal or mobile app. You download the file and print it, then write VOID across the front before handing it over. Availability varies by bank, so the feature may sit under check services, account details, or direct deposit setup, and some institutions simply don’t offer it.
This route avoids a trip to the branch and lets you send the document to a payroll department or biller the same day.
At a Branch
If online options aren’t available, a teller can print a counter check or starter check on demand. Bring a government-issued ID; staff will verify your identity using bank-approved methods before issuing the paper. Many institutions charge a convenience fee for counter checks, typically between $1.00 and $5.00, set in the account disclosures.
Once you have the check in hand, void it before leaving the branch or before sending it anywhere.
Substitutes When You Don’t Have a Checkbook
If you don’t have checks and your bank doesn’t offer a printable image, several documents carry the same banking information a voided check would. Confirm with the recipient first, since not every payroll or biller accepts every format.
- A direct deposit form from your bank, which lists the routing and account numbers in a format designed for this purpose. It isn’t a federally standardized form, but most employers accept it.
- Online banking account details or a screenshot showing the routing and account numbers.
- A bank verification letter signed by a representative such as a branch manager. These can take a short waiting period to prepare.
How to Void a Check You Already Have
If you have a checkbook, voiding a check yourself is quicker than ordering anything new. Use a permanent blue or black ink pen and write VOID in large capital letters across the front. The writing should cover:
- The date line
- The payee line
- The signature line
Keep the pre-printed numbers along the bottom clear so they can still be read. Writing VOID shows you intend to cancel the check and do not want it used for payment.1Legal Information Institute. U.C.C. § 3-604
Marking one check void only affects that single piece of paper. It does not close your account, cancel other checks you’ve written, or stop automatic debits already set up on the account.
Sending It Safely
A voided check still shows your routing number, account number, name, and address. Someone with those details could attempt unauthorized withdrawals, so only share the document with people or businesses you trust.
Use a secure channel: an employer’s official payroll portal or an encrypted upload link is safer than standard email. If the recipient allows it, you can redact fields that aren’t needed for the transaction before sending.