A void cheque (or voided check) is a regular cheque that has the word “VOID” written across the front so it cannot be used for payment, but still shows your banking details for things like direct deposit or automatic bill payments.

What is a void cheque?

  • A void cheque is simply a cheque marked “VOID” in large letters on the front. This makes it invalid so no one can cash or deposit it.
  • Even though it’s unusable for payments, it still shows key information like your branch/transit number, institution or routing number, and account number.
  • Organizations use that printed info to link electronically to your bank account, usually for sending money to you or taking pre‑authorized payments.

Why would you need one?

Common reasons you might be asked for a void cheque include:

  • Setting up salary direct deposit with a new employer.
  • Authorizing automatic bill payments (utilities, insurance, loans, subscriptions).
  • Giving payment details to a landlord, insurer, or other service provider.
  • Setting up recurring transfers between accounts at different banks.

Instead of typing long account numbers into a form (and risking mistakes), many employers and companies still prefer a void cheque because it’s a standardized, reliable way to get exact details.

How do you void a cheque?

Steps are simple:

  1. Take a blank cheque from your chequebook.
  2. Write the word VOID in large, clear capital letters across the front.
  3. Do not cover the numbers along the bottom (branch/transit, institution, account).
  4. Use blue or black ink so it’s easy to read.
  5. Do not sign the cheque, to avoid any chance of misuse.

Once you do this, the cheque cannot be used for payment, but a payroll or billing department can safely copy the banking details from it.

Is a void cheque safe?

  • Banks will not accept a void cheque for cashing or depositing as a payment instrument.
  • The main risk is that it still shows your account details, so you should only give a void cheque to trusted employers or companies and avoid posting photos of it online.
  • Many banks today also offer “void cheque forms” or “direct deposit forms” in online banking, which show the same information in a safer, digital format.

Quick example

Imagine you start a new job and HR asks for a “void cheque” so they can pay you by direct deposit. You write “VOID” across a blank cheque and hand it in. They then use the printed numbers at the bottom to set up automatic deposits into your account, but nobody can fill in that cheque and take money out of your account as a normal cheque anymore.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.