How To Void A Check: A Complete Guide

In this article, you will discover how to void a check. Nowadays, many people prefer to do transactions online rather than on paper. Though this may be the case, there are still reasons to use a paper check. Your company or employer may require that you present a void check so that your information on the check can be used to set up a link for direct deposits to your savings account. But then, you need to know how to void a check. Read on to find out how.

What Is A Check?

A check is a written, dated, and signed document that gives the bank an instruction to pay a particular amount of money from their account to that of the bearer’s account. The writer of a check is called the payor or drawer while the one who receives the check is called the payee.

What Is A Void Check?

Simply put, a void check is a check that has the word “void” written across the front. This means that the check is ineffective, empty, null, and devoid of cash. Therefore, such a check can neither be cashed nor deposited. When you void a check, the receiver of such a check cannot make withdrawals with or use the check.

Why Void A Check?

“Why void a check?”, You might be asking. Well, some situations demand a voided check. So, here are some reasons why a void check may be important.

1. To set up direct deposit

If you want your payment to be transacted online, your employer may request a void check from you. Your bank information on the check will be used to set up a link for direct deposit to your savings account. And since it’s a void check, it cannot be used to make withdrawals from your account.

2. To set up automatic payments

Setting up automatic payments for recurring expenses (such as mortgage, utilities, insurance, rent, and credit card payments) using a void check will save you the stress of always writing checks whenever you want to make such payments. By so doing, the cash will be automatically deducted from your checking account based on the way you set it.

3. Errors

There are cases where you might make mistakes while writing a check. In that case, you have to void the check and start afresh with a new one. Mistakes can come in different forms; for instance, you could make mistakes while writing the payee’s name, you could write a wrong payee, you could make some errors while writing the amount too. If any of these occur, you will have to void the check because keeping it around is unsafe.

How To Void A Check

Voiding a check is not a difficult thing to do. You only have to write the word “VOID” in large capital letters across the front of the check. If you don’t know how to void a check, follow the steps below to find out how to do it.

Step 1: Get a blank check

When you want to submit a void check for automatic payments and direct deposit, then you would need to use a blank check. From your checkbook, get a blank check.

Step 2: Get a blue or black ink

With blue or black ink, write the word “VOID” in large capital letters across the front of the check. Make sure it’s large enough to cover the whole front but don’t cover the account and routing numbers because if you’re to submit the check, those numbers will be used to identify your checking account.

Alternatively, you can write “VOID” five times separately in each area you’re supposed to write in an information – signature, payee, date, amount). Furthermore, if you’re voiding the check due to a mistake, no one would be able to fill or cash out the check.

Step 3: Make a copy of the voided check for record purposes

For record purposes, make a copy of the voided check before submitting it to your employer or for automatic payments. Then keep a copy to yourself.

How To Void A Check That Has Been Sent

Unfortunately, you cannot void a check that has been sent. Contacting your bank is the only thing you can do; however, it may cost you some money. When you reach your bank, tell them the check number and ask them to cancel it by issuing a stop payment order on the check.

Alternatively, this can be done using your online banking portal. But the downside to it is that it may take some time to process. So you should contact your bank over the phone (phone call) and request that the check be voided.

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How to Void a Check That is Lost

The same way you cannot void a check that has been sent, you cannot also void a check that is lost. Contact your bank and tell them the check number. Then ask them to cancel it by issuing a stop payment order on that check. However, you may be charged for this.

How To Void A Check For Direct Deposit

If your employer requests that you submit a void check to set your direct deposit, simply take out a blank check from your checkbook and write the word “VOID” in large capital letters across the front of the check with blue or black ink.

Ensure it doesn’t cover the routing and account numbers because your employer would need that information to ensure your paycheck is sent to you. Then send a copy of the check to your employer and have the original one for your records.

How To Void A Check In QuickBooks Desktop

If you’re a QuickBooks user and have made mistakes in writing or issuing a check, you shouldn’t panic. Or did you issue the check to the wrong person? This can be resolved using the QuickBooks Desktop.

Follow the steps below to know how to void a check (bill payment check or general check) in QuickBooks.

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Step 1: Select check register

Go to your QuickBooks Desktop home page, you will see the “Banking” menu at the top. Click on it and select “Check Register”. Alternatively, you can click on the “Banking” menu, then click on “Use Register” from the drop-down menu that will appear.

Step 2: Choose the check to void

The second step is for you to select the bank account from which the check you want to void was issued. After doing this, another window will open showing all the created checks. Then double-click anywhere on the check you choose to void.

Step 3: Void the check

Next is, your check will be displayed (inclusive of any outstanding bills). At the top of the screen, you’ll see a “Delete” button with a drop-down arrow beneath it. From the drop-down arrow, click “Void”.

The amount will turn to zero after you have voided the check and the word “VOID” will be displayed in the memo.

Lastly, click on “Save & Close”, then a message will appear on your screen asking if you want to save the changes you made, then click “Yes”

Note that voiding a check is different from deleting a check. When you void a check, the balance is turned to zero. But when you delete a check, the transaction is completely removed from QuickBooks.

How To Void a Check With Chase

If you use Chase Bank in the United States and you have any need to void a check or ask for a stop payment on your check, then follow the steps below to know how to void a check with Chase.

Using an online banking portal

Log into Chase.com
Click on the “horizontal three dots” at the top right of your screen.
Click on “Account services”
Then choose “Stop payment on a check”
Select the check you would like to cancel or choose “Add stop payment” if you want to add a new transaction.

Using the Chase Mobile App®

Log in to the Chase Mobile App®
Choose the checking account you would want to void a check for.
Scroll down and choose “Show more for “Stop payment on a check”
Select the check you would like to cancel or choose “Add stop payment” if you want to add a new transaction.

How To Void A Check With Wells Fargo

You can void a check with Wells Fargo using Wells Fargo Online, by going over to your local branch and discussing with a banker, and using your phone.

To request a stop payment order on your check using your phone, call 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Also, you will be required to provide the following information while on the call; payee’s name, account number, and check number.

Note the following:

The request to stop payment order on your check will be effective for six months and this comes with a fee. To get information about the fee, call 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557) or refer to your Customer Account Fee and Information Schedule. Meanwhile, lost or stolen blank checks do not attract any fee. Also, keep in mind that requesting a stop payment order on your check does not breach any contractual agreements.
You can also remove a stop payment order by visiting a local branch or calling 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).

What If I Don’t Have Checks?

In a case where you’re required to submit a voided check but you don’t have any, there are alternatives you can try. See them below:

You can request a counter check at your local bank branch, however, this may come with a fee. The counter check is not a checkbook, it is a single check that you can void.
Link directly to your account.
You can choose this if it is acceptable to your employer. Linking directly to your account requires that you use your routing and account numbers or your login credentials instead of submitting a voided check.
Preview a check on your bank’s website.
If this will be acceptable, you might want to opt for it. Most banks display a check preview when placing orders for checks online. You can print out this preview check image, then write the word “VOID” across the front of the check.
If the above alternatives did not work for you, then simply place orders for checks from your bank or rather sign up for a new checking account.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a check is void, it cannot be filled out or cashed

No. You don’t need to sign a voided check. You shouldn’t also write any other information on the check.

You can void a check by yourself. But if you need a void check and you don’t have one, you can ask your bank.

If for any reason you would like to cancel a check that you have already sent, you can do so immediately by contacting your bank to place a stop payment order on your check. But once the check has been cashed, you won’t be able to do anything about it.

Conclusion

After reading through this article, you should know how to void a check. Voiding a check is a very simple thing to do if only you follow the procedures involved.

References

mint.intuit.com – How to Void a Check
investopedia.com – How to Void a Check
thebalance.com – What Is a Voided Check?
www.checkcity.com – How to Void a Check
ramseysolutions.com – How to Void a Check
fitsmallbusiness.com – How to Void a Check in QuickBooks Desktop