How to Get a Void Cheque in Canada 2026

Updated March 2026 · 10 min read

A void cheque is a regular personal cheque with the word "VOID" written across it in large letters. It doesn't authorize any payment — it simply provides proof of your banking information (transit number, institution number, and account number) to a third party setting up a direct deposit or pre-authorized payment. Here's how to get one from any Canadian bank in 2026.

What Information Is on a Void Cheque?

A void cheque contains three pieces of information printed at the bottom in MICR (magnetic ink) format:

• Transit number (5 digits) — your branch identifier
• Institution number (3 digits) — your bank's code
• Account number (7–12 digits) — your specific account

These three numbers together identify exactly where payments should be sent.

How to Get a Void Cheque From Each Bank

TD Bank — Void Cheque

1. Online banking: Log in → select your chequing account → "Account details" → "Pre-authorized debit" → download a PDF direct deposit form (equivalent to a void cheque).
2. TD app: Account details → "Direct Deposit" or "Share my banking info."
3. Cheque book: Write "VOID" in large letters across the face of a cheque. Do not sign it.
4. Branch: Ask a teller for a "confirmation of account" printout if you have no cheques.

RBC — Void Cheque

1. Online banking: Log in → Accounts → Account details → "Download direct deposit information." RBC provides a PDF form.
2. RBC Mobile: Account → "Direct Deposit" → share or download PDF.
3. Cheque book: Write "VOID" across any blank cheque in the book.

Scotiabank — Void Cheque

1. Online banking: Log in → Accounts → "My banking details" → download the direct deposit form PDF.
2. Cheque: Write "VOID" across a blank cheque.

BMO — Void Cheque

1. Online banking: Log in → select account → "Account details" → "Direct deposit information."
2. BMO app: Account → "Banking details" → share your void cheque PDF.

CIBC — Void Cheque

1. Online banking: Log in → select account → "Account details" → "Void cheque" option available as PDF download.
2. CIBC app: Account → "Manage → Direct Deposit."

KOHO — Direct Deposit Form (No Cheque Needed)

1. Open the KOHO app.
2. Go to your spending account → "Direct Deposit."
3. Download or share the PDF form. It contains your full banking coordinates — accepted anywhere a void cheque is accepted.

EQ Bank — Void Cheque

1. Log into EQ Bank online → select account → "Direct Deposit Information" → download PDF form.

Tangerine — Void Cheque

1. Log into Tangerine online → Account → "Direct Deposit Form" → download PDF.

What If I Don't Have Cheques?

Most people don't order personal cheques anymore. If you have no cheque book, all of the methods above (online banking PDF download) provide an equivalent substitute that is accepted everywhere a void cheque is requested. Employers, CRA, and payroll processors all accept the digital direct deposit form in lieu of a physical void cheque.

How to Write a Void Cheque

1. Take a blank cheque from your cheque book (do NOT fill in the amount, payee, or date).
2. Write the word VOID in large capital letters across the face of the cheque, covering the main body of the cheque.
3. Do NOT sign the cheque.
4. Photocopy or scan the void cheque if you need to provide it electronically.

What Is a Void Cheque Used For?

• Setting up direct deposit with your employer
• Setting up CRA direct deposit for tax refunds, GST/HST credits, and Canada Child Benefit
• Setting up pre-authorized bill payments (mortgage, utilities, insurance)
• Providing banking information to government benefit programs (EI, CPP, OAS)
• Setting up payroll for a new job

Void Cheque vs Direct Deposit Form

A direct deposit form is a pre-printed alternative to a void cheque that contains the same information (transit, institution, account number) in a structured format. Most online banks provide these as PDFs. They are accepted in place of void cheques by employers, CRA, and all major government agencies. See our full direct deposit setup guide →