Voided Check Example: What It Is, When You Need One & How to Fill Bank Forms

If your new employer asked you for a voided check example for direct deposit, or your landlord wants one for automatic rent payments, you might be wondering — what exactly is a voided check, and how do you make one? You're in the right place.

This guide explains everything: what a voided check is, what it looks like, when you need one, and how to safely fill and share the related bank forms online.

What Is a Voided Check?

A voided check is a paper check from your checkbook that has the word "VOID" written across the front in large, bold letters — typically in pen. The word VOID makes the check impossible to cash or deposit, but it still displays the two critical pieces of banking information that third parties need:

• Routing number — the 9-digit number identifying your bank (printed at the bottom left of the check)
• Account number — your personal checking account number (printed next to the routing number at the bottom)

Because a voided check proves your banking details in a verifiable format, it has become the standard way to set up direct deposits, ACH transfers, and recurring payments.

Voided Check Example — What It Looks Like

A typical voided check example looks like this:

When Do You Need a Voided Check?

You will likely be asked for a voided check in these common situations:

• Direct deposit setup at a new job — your employer or HR system needs your routing and account number to deposit your paycheck directly into your account.
• Automatic mortgage or rent payments — landlords and mortgage servicers use your banking details to set up ACH pulls from your account each month.
• Government benefit payments — Social Security, tax refunds, and unemployment payments can all be routed to your account using a voided check.
• Freelance payment platforms — apps like Wave, QuickBooks, and Gusto often require one when setting up bank payouts.
• Investment accounts — funding a new brokerage or retirement account via bank transfer.

How to Void a Check — Step by Step

1. Take a check from your checkbook — any blank check will work.
2. Using a pen (preferably in black or blue ink), write VOID in large capital letters across the front of the check. Make it big enough that it covers the payment fields.
3. Do not sign the check, write an amount, or fill in any other fields — a voided check should only have the word VOID on it.
4. Keep a copy for your own records before handing it over.
5. Provide it to the requesting party — either physically or as a scanned/photographed digital copy.

What If You Don't Have Paper Checks?

Many people use digital banks (like Chime, Wise, or Revolut) that don't issue physical checkbooks. If you don't have paper checks, here are your alternatives:

• Bank letter — ask your bank to issue an official letter with your routing and account numbers on letterhead.
• Pre-filled direct deposit form — many banks provide a pre-filled PDF form specifically for direct deposit setup. This is increasingly accepted as a substitute for a voided check.
• Online banking account information — log in to your bank's app or website and take a screenshot showing your full routing and account numbers (most banks have a section labeled "Direct Deposit" or "Account Details").

How to Safely Fill & Sign Bank Forms Online

When your employer or landlord asks you to fill out a bank authorization form (common when setting up ACH payments), you don't need to print and scan anything. You can do the whole thing digitally:

1. Download the bank authorization PDF form from your employer or payroll system.
2. Open MyDigitSign's free PDF signer in your browser.
3. Upload the PDF — it stays in your browser, never going to any server.
4. Draw or type your signature and place it on the signature line.
5. Download the signed PDF and email it back to your employer or landlord.

This is faster, cleaner, and more secure than printing, signing with a pen, scanning, and emailing — and it produces a higher-quality result.