Voided check guide
How to Get a Voided Check Without a Checkbook
Plenty of people no longer have paper checks, especially with online-only banks and debit cards. The good news is that an employer or payroll team usually only needs your routing and account numbers, and there are several ways to show them without a checkbook. Here are five, starting with the quickest.
The short answer
If you do not have a checkbook, you can use your online banking account details, a bank letter, a direct deposit form from your bank, or a visit to a branch. If your employer specifically asks for a voided check, you can create a voided check PDF online in a few minutes. Always confirm what your employer will accept.
Free downloads
No sign-in and no payment needed. Basic printable versions.
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Direct deposit information sheet
A printable form for your name, bank details and signature. Fill in by hand.
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Voided check example with labeled numbers
A fictional sample showing the routing, account and check numbers, plus how to void a check.
What a voided check is actually for
A voided check is a way to hand over your bank routing number and account number without risking anyone using the check to take money. The word VOID is written across the front, so the check cannot be cashed. Employers use it to set up direct deposit, and lenders, landlords and billers use it to set up automatic payments.
What matters to the person receiving it is that the routing and account numbers are correct, so anything that shows them reliably can often do the same job. The five methods below are all ways to provide those numbers.
Method 1: Look up your numbers in online banking
Most banks show your account and routing numbers inside the mobile app or website, often under account details or account information. This is the fastest way to get the numbers themselves.
- Sign in and open the checking or savings account you want paid into.
- Look for Account details, Account information, or Direct deposit info.
- Copy the routing number and account number carefully. Some banks use different routing numbers for different transaction types, so use the one labeled for direct deposit.
- Check whether your employer accepts typed details on a direct deposit form instead of a voided check.
Method 2: Ask your bank for a direct deposit form or bank letter
Many banks provide a pre-filled direct deposit authorization form or a letter on bank letterhead confirming your name, routing number and account number. Look for it in online banking or ask customer service. A bank letter is accepted in many workplaces as a substitute for a voided check.
You can also use our free printable direct deposit information sheet, listed in the downloads on this page, to collect your details in one place. Attach a bank letter if your employer asks for proof.
Method 3: Visit a branch
If you prefer paper, a branch can usually print your account details or issue a counter check. Bring a photo ID. A counter check is a real check, so mark VOID across it before you hand it over, in the same way you would with a check from your own checkbook. See our guide on how to void a check for the steps.
Method 4: Order checks
You can order a box of checks from your bank, but delivery can take days or weeks, which is rarely helpful when a payroll deadline is close. If you only need a voided check for one purpose, one of the other methods is usually faster.
Method 5: Create a voided check PDF online
If your employer wants a voided check specifically and you have no checkbook, you can generate a voided check PDF. You enter your own name, bank details and account numbers, review them, and download it. The document is clearly marked VOID, so it cannot be used as a payment.
Use only your own, accurate account details, and confirm with the person asking that a PDF voided check is acceptable. Our voided check generator lets you pick your bank, enter your numbers and download it in a few minutes.
Which method should you use?
- Employer will take typed numbers: use online banking (Method 1). It is the quickest.
- Employer wants proof from the bank: ask for a bank letter or direct deposit form (Method 2).
- Employer wants a voided check specifically: create one online (Method 5) or void a counter check (Method 3).
- No rush and you want checks anyway: order a checkbook (Method 4).
Keep your banking details safe
- Send your routing and account numbers only to your employer's payroll or HR contact, through the channel they tell you to use.
- Avoid posting photos of checks or account numbers in public chats or social media.
- Never sign a blank check. A voided check should never be signed.
- If you think the wrong person saw your details, contact your bank and ask about monitoring or a new account number.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a bank letter instead of a voided check?
Often yes. A letter on bank letterhead that shows your name, routing number and account number is accepted by many employers, but policies differ, so ask your payroll contact first.
Can I take a photo of my account number instead?
Some employers accept a typed or screenshotted form from online banking. Ask first, and only send it through the secure method they provide, since account numbers are sensitive.
Is a PDF voided check accepted for direct deposit?
Many employers and payroll platforms accept a clear PDF or image of a voided check. Because policies vary, confirm with your employer before you rely on it.
Is it safe to give a voided check?
It shows your routing and account numbers, so give it only to people you trust, such as your employer's payroll team. Because it is marked VOID and not signed, it cannot be cashed.
What if my online bank does not offer checks at all?
Many digital banks do not issue paper checks. They normally provide account details or a direct deposit form in the app, which payroll teams commonly accept in place of a voided check.
Do savings accounts work for direct deposit?
Many employers can deposit into savings as well as checking. Tell payroll which account type it is so they enter it correctly.
Create your voided check in under a minute.
Create a voided check PDFMore voided check guides and free downloads
This guide is general information. Banks and employers set their own rules, so confirm what is accepted. Only use your own accurate bank details. A voided check is marked VOID and is not valid for payment. EasyIncomeDocs is not a bank.