Create a voided check online for direct deposit and ACH setup.

A voided check is a check marked with the word “VOID” so it cannot be used for payment. The routing number, account number, account holder name, and check number remain visible, which is why the document is often used to confirm bank details.

Most of the time, a voided check is requested for direct deposit or ACH setup. Employers use it to set up payroll, billers use it for automatic payments, and other organizations may use it for reimbursements, benefits, or account verification.

A voided check is not the same as a canceled check, which has already been processed, and it is not a stop-payment order. It also does not replace authorization forms. It simply gives the recipient a clear reference for the account information they need.

The most common reason is direct deposit. A new employer may ask for a voided check before the first payroll cycle so your pay lands in the right account on time.

Another common use case is automatic ACH payments. Mortgage servicers, utilities, property managers, insurance companies, and lenders may request supporting bank information when you sign up for recurring withdrawals.

You may also be asked for one when setting up tax refunds, benefits, reimbursements, or vendor payments. In every case, the goal is the same: confirm the right bank account before money moves.

If you still have paper checks, voiding one takes less than a minute. The goal is to make the check unusable for payment while keeping the printed bank details easy to read. Use permanent ink, make VOID obvious, and leave the signature line blank.

This is common now. Many people use online banks or rarely touch a checkbook, but they still need to prove the right checking account for direct deposit or ACH setup.

In many cases, the requester will accept a bank direct deposit form, a bank letter, online banking account details, or its own ACH enrollment form. What matters most is that the document shows the right name and bank information in a format they recognize.

Ask before you send extra paperwork. A bank statement can reveal balances and transactions that are not needed. The safest alternative is the smallest official document that shows your name plus the routing and account details they requested.

On most personal checks, the routing number appears at the bottom left, the account number is next, and the shorter check number sits on the right. Many banks also display the same information inside online banking and mobile apps.

Verify the numbers before you submit anything. One wrong digit can delay payroll, bounce an ACH setup, or force the receiving organization to restart the process. If a form specifically mentions ACH instructions, confirm the exact details with your bank when anything looks unfamiliar.

A voided check cannot be used like a live signed check, but it still contains sensitive bank details. Share it only with organizations you expect to pay you, reimburse you, or debit with your permission. Use official payroll departments, lender portals, billing dashboards, or named contacts instead of vague inboxes. If you want the site-specific data handling details before entering anything here, read our privacy policy.

Before you send it, ask what the document is being used for. Legitimate requesters can usually answer right away. If the purpose is vague, pause and confirm who is asking and which workflow they want you to use.

After setup, watch the first deposit or scheduled debit to make sure the numbers were entered correctly. Once everything works, keep the document somewhere secure or destroy it so your bank details are not sitting around longer than necessary.