The 3 steps to void a check
- Write "VOID" in large capital letters across the front of the check. Use a pen with blue or black ink so it's clear and permanent. Cover enough of the check that nobody could fill in an amount or payee and try to cash it, but don't scribble over the whole thing.
- Keep the MICR line (the row of numbers along the bottom) fully readable. If you're voiding the check so someone can set up direct deposit, this line — your routing number and account number — is the entire reason they want the check. Write "VOID" above it or across the payee/date/amount area instead of through it.
- Record it in your check register. Log the check number as "Void" with today's date and $0.00, so the number isn't missing from your records when you reconcile later. If you printed the check in Quick Check Writer, its register does this part for you (below).
Voiding a printed check in Quick Check Writer
If you printed a check with Quick Check Writer and need to void it, open the check register and mark that check number as void. The register filters by All, Printed, or Void, so you can find it quickly, and marking it void keeps your records straight without you re-printing anything. You can export the register to CSV any time for your own books or an accountant.
If the physical paper check is still in your hands and hasn't been handed out, write VOID across the front by hand as well, so a misplaced copy can't be used.
Why the MICR line matters
The row of numbers at the bottom of a check is printed in a bank-readable font so check-sorting machines and scanners can read your routing number, account number, and check number. When a payroll department, bank, or payment processor asks for a "voided check" for direct deposit, they're reading that line to set up the transfer — they're not trying to cash the check. That's why covering it up defeats the purpose. Quick Check Writer prints this line in the standard E-13B MICR font on blank check stock, so a check from the app looks and reads the same way a bank-issued one does.
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Write your first check freeVoided check for direct deposit: what to actually send
Most employers and payroll systems want either a physical voided check or a clear photo/scan of one. If you don't have a blank check lying around, you can print one from Quick Check Writer using your real account and routing numbers, with no payee and no amount filled in, then write VOID across it. Some payroll systems will also accept a bank letter or a screenshot of your account and routing numbers instead — ask what they accept before you assume a voided check is required.
Stop payment vs. voiding a check
These solve two different problems:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The check is still in your possession, unsigned or not yet given to anyone | Void it — write VOID, record it, done. No bank involved. |
| You already handed the check to someone, mailed it, or it's missing, and you need to prevent it from being cashed | Call your bank and request a stop payment. Banks typically charge a fee for this, and it only works if the check hasn't already been cashed. |
In short: you void a check that hasn't gone anywhere yet. You stop payment on a check that's already out in the world and you need the bank to refuse it.
Common mistakes
- Writing VOID over the MICR line. This makes the check useless for direct deposit setup, which is usually the whole point of voiding one.
- Not recording the void. An un-logged voided check number can throw off your reconciliation later and look like a missing check.
- Throwing away a voided check instead of keeping it. Hang onto it (or a scan) until you've confirmed whatever you voided it for — direct deposit setup, a correction, etc. — has actually gone through.
Need to print a check correctly the first time instead? See how to write a check or print checks at home with Quick Check Writer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a deposit slip instead of a voided check?
Some employers accept a deposit slip or a bank letter instead, but many specifically ask for a voided check because it shows both your routing and account numbers in one standard format. Ask your payroll department what they'll accept.
What if I don't have any blank checks to void?
You can print one with your real account and routing numbers using Quick Check Writer, leave the payee and amount blank, and write VOID across it by hand.
Does voiding a check cost anything?
No. Voiding a check yourself (writing VOID and recording it) is free. A bank-ordered stop payment, which is a different thing, usually carries a bank fee.
Can a voided check still be cashed?
No, as long as VOID is written clearly across it. That's the point of marking it — it tells anyone, including a bank, that the check is not valid for payment.
Do I need to void a check for direct deposit if I use online banking only?
Many banks and payroll providers let you enter your routing and account numbers directly online instead of submitting a voided check. Check with the specific payroll system first.
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Last updated October 27, 2026.