Yes, you can get a voided check for a savings account, and most banks will print one for free
A voided check is a check from your account that has been marked "VOID" across the front. It is not usable for payment — the bank will reject it if anyone tries to cash it. Banks print voided checks because they contain your routing number and account number in machine-readable form at the bottom, which is exactly what you need to set up direct deposit, automatic bill payments, or wire transfers without giving out a full blank check.
You can request a voided check from your bank's teller, through their website, or by phone. Most banks print them on the spot or mail them within a few business days at no cost. Some online banks that do not print checks at all will provide a document with your routing and account numbers instead, which serves the same purpose.
A voided check is safer than a blank check because it cannot be filled in and cashed. The word "VOID" printed across it tells anyone who sees it that it has no payment value.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank can print a voided check for free, usually within one business day if you ask in person or a few days if you request by mail.
- Online banks that do not issue physical checks will send you a document showing your routing number and account number instead.
- You need a voided check or account number document to set up direct deposit, automatic bill payments, or transfers from another bank.
- A voided check is safer than a blank check because it cannot be cashed even if someone tries to use it.
How to request a voided check from your bank
Walk into any branch of your bank and ask a teller for a voided check. Tell them you need it for direct deposit or bill payment setup. They will print one on the spot or give you one from stock, mark it "VOID," and hand it to you. This takes five minutes and costs nothing.
If you bank online or do not have a branch nearby, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Give them your account number and ask them to mail you a voided check. They will send it within three to five business days. Some banks also let you request one through their mobile app or online banking portal — look for an option labeled "Request a Check" or "Order Checks."
Write down your request date and the name of the person who helped you. If the check does not arrive within a week, call back and reference that conversation.
What to do if your bank does not issue physical checks
Some online banks and credit unions do not print checks at all. If you ask for a voided check and they say they do not issue them, ask for a deposit slip or account verification letter instead. These documents show your routing number and account number in the same format a voided check does.
A deposit slip is a small form you would normally use to deposit cash or checks. It has your account number and routing number printed on it. An account verification letter is a formal document from the bank that lists both numbers and confirms the account is in good standing. Either one works for direct deposit or bill payment setup.
If the bank's website has a section for ordering checks, look there first — some banks that do not mail physical checks will still print a voided check or account verification document on request.
When you actually need a voided check versus when you do not
You need a voided check (or the account and routing numbers from one) when you are setting up direct deposit — for paychecks, tax refunds, or government payments — or when you are setting up automatic bill payments from your bank account. Employers, payroll processors, and billers ask for a voided check because it proves you own the account and gives them the correct routing and account numbers in a format they can read automatically.
You do not need a voided check if you are transferring money between accounts you already own at the same bank. You also do not need one if you are moving money from one bank to another through your online banking portal — most banks let you link accounts by entering the routing and account numbers yourself, or by verifying small deposits the receiving bank sends to your account.
If someone asks you for a voided check and you are not sure why, ask them what they need it for. If they say "to verify your account," that is legitimate. If they say "to process a refund" or "to claim a payment," be cautious — legitimate refunds and payments do not require a voided check.
What information is on a voided check and why it matters
The bottom of a check has three sets of numbers printed in a special machine-readable format. On the far left is your routing number — a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank and branch. In the middle is your account number — usually 10 to 12 digits that identify your account within that bank. On the far right is the check number.
The routing number and account number are all anyone needs to set up a transfer into or out of your account. That is why a voided check is useful — it gives both numbers in a format that is hard to misread. It is also why you should not hand out blank checks: someone could fill in an amount and a payee name and try to cash it, even though the bank would likely catch it.
The word "VOID" printed across the front makes it impossible to cash, even if someone tries. Banks have systems that reject any check marked void, regardless of what is written on it.
Keeping your voided check safe
A voided check contains your routing number and account number, which is the same information you would give to your employer or a biller. Treat it like you would treat that information — do not leave it lying around, and do not email it to someone unless you trust them and know why they need it.
If you are mailing a voided check to a company, use regular mail, not a postcard or anything that exposes the numbers. If you are sending it by email, use the company's official email address, not a link or address someone gave you verbally.
If you lose a voided check or think someone may have seen your account number, call your bank. They can flag your account for unusual activity and issue you a new account number if needed, though this is rare. Most banks do not consider a voided check a security risk because the word "VOID" prevents it from being cashed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just write "VOID" on a check myself instead of asking the bank?
Technically yes, but do not. A check you mark yourself is not officially voided in your bank's system, and if someone tries to cash it, the bank may process it anyway. Ask your bank for an official voided check — it takes five minutes and costs nothing.
What if I need a voided check but I have not received my checkbook yet?
Go to your bank and ask a teller to print one. They can do this immediately without waiting for your checkbook to arrive. You can also call customer service and ask them to mail you a voided check separately from your checkbook order.
Do I need a voided check if I am setting up a transfer between two banks I own?
Not always. Most banks let you link another account by entering the routing and account numbers yourself, or by confirming two small deposits the receiving bank sends to your account. A voided check is faster if you have one, but not required.
Is it safe to email a voided check to my employer?
Yes, if you are sending it to your employer's official email address and you trust that address is real. A voided check contains only the information your employer needs to set up direct deposit — your routing and account numbers — which is no more sensitive than what you would write on a form. Do not send it to a link or email address someone gave you verbally.
What should I do if someone asks for a voided check to process a refund?
Be cautious. Legitimate refunds do not require a voided check. If a company says they need one to send you money back, ask them in writing why they need it and what they will do with it. If they cannot give you a clear answer, contact the company through their official website or phone number to verify the request is real.