Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® Card•Earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year†
FR
FR
FRBest offers

Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada

7 min read
Editorial integrity
Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada
Share

In the digital age, the void cheque remains a necessary tool for a range of transactions. A few years ago, you scribbled « void » or « specimen » on a paper cheque and that was that. Today, it mostly comes in digital form. It is usually a PDF you download from the secure website (online banking) or the mobile app of your financial institution.

But what exactly is a void cheque used for? How do you obtain yours depending on your financial institution (NBC, BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, Tangerine, TD, etc.)? Those are some of the questions this article answers.

What is a void cheque used for in Canada?

First, a quick reminder of what a void cheque is. It is a copy of a cheque used to share the details of a given chequing account.

Ultimately, this copy of a cheque allows a person or an organization to transfer (deposit) money directly into the linked account. For example, if you start a new job, the human resources department will ask you for a void cheque so it can deposit your pay directly into your account.

These days, few employers or suppliers pay their employees or their clients by paper cheque. Almost everything is done online. Knowing how to find your void cheque is therefore essential.

Is it secure?

Rest assured. Providing a void cheque does not allow anyone to withdraw money from your bank account. It can only be used to deposit funds. For a bank or a biller to withdraw money from your bank account, you have to complete a pre-authorized debit agreement (electronically, in writing or by phone) in addition to providing your void cheque, in order to authorize the withdrawals.

What information does it contain?

Essentially, the void cheque is designed to collect or share banking details such as:

  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number (the number of digits can vary from one financial institution to another)
  • Name and address of the financial institution

These details may be requested in a range of circumstances: setting up direct deposits, receiving a payment from overseas, scheduling a recurring payment from your account and more.

What is a transit number?

The transit number (or identification number) has five digits and corresponds to the number of the bank branch. Combined with the institution number and the account number, it pinpoints the exact location of a bank account in order to set up direct deposits or make money transfers.

What is an institution number?

The institution number has three digits and corresponds to the number of the financial institution. Combined with the transit number (or identification number) and the account number, it makes it possible to set up direct deposits, among other things.

How to obtain a void cheque

As mentioned above, your void cheque is available online. You can access it easily through the secure website or the mobile app of your financial institution. It sits in the same place where you carry out your online banking: bill payments, Interac e-Transfers, and so on.

The steps to obtain it do vary slightly from one bank to another. That is why we set out below how to retrieve yours depending on your bank or your caisse.

National Bank void cheque

Here is how to obtain your void cheque when you are a National Bank client:

  • Log in to National Bank online banking with your username and your password.
  • Click « Balance » in the left-hand menu.
  • Select the account you want a void cheque for.
  • Click « Download a void cheque » to generate a PDF copy.
Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada - National Bank void cheque

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the account holder
  • Name and address of the financial institution
  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number

BMO void cheque

The void cheque from Bank of Montreal is also available online, by following these steps:

  • Log in to BMO Online Banking with your username and your password.
  • Click « My Accounts ».
  • Select the account you want a void cheque for.
  • Click « Void cheque ».
  • Download the PDF file containing your void cheque.
Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada - BMO void cheque

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the financial institution
  • Name and address of the account holder
  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number

CIBC void cheque

CIBC offers a void cheque through its online platform. Here are the steps to obtain it:

  • Log in to CIBC Online Banking with your username and your password.
  • In the « My Accounts » section, choose the account you want a void cheque for.
  • Click « View void cheque and pre-authorized payment form » and download the document.
Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada - CIBC void cheque

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the financial institution
  • Name and address of the account holder
  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number

Desjardins void cheque (AccèsD)

Are you a member of a Desjardins caisse? You can obtain a void cheque on AccèsD in a few simple steps:

  • Log in to AccèsD with your username and your password.
  • Click the « More options » button, available in the right-hand menu on a computer, or at the bottom of the screen on a smartphone.
  • Click the « Void cheque » link and download the PDF version.
Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada - Void cheque Desjardins

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the caisse
  • Five-digit transit number of the caisse (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number or folio number (including the zeros)
  • Check digit

TD void cheque

Again, it is very easy to generate a void cheque online with TD:

  • Log in to EasyWeb with your username (or Access Card) and your password.
  • Select the account you want a void cheque for.
  • Click « Direct Deposit Form (PDF) ».
  • Your browser will display a document that includes the void cheque. Download that document to your files.
Banking: Everything You Need to Know about Void Cheques in Canada - TD void cheque

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the financial institution
  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number

Tangerine void cheque

The online bank Tangerine lets you quickly obtain a void cheque for your chequing account. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Log in to Client Login using your login ID and your PIN.
  • In the « Spending » section, choose the chequing account you want a void cheque for.
  • Click the « Void cheque » button and download the PDF version.

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the account holder
  • Name and address of the financial institution
  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number

Wealthsimple Cash void cheque

The Wealthsimple platform lets you quickly obtain a void cheque for your high-interest chequing account (Wealthsimple Cash). Here are the steps to follow:

  • Open your mobile app or log in to your Wealthsimple account using your email address and your password.
  • Click your Cash account (if you have more than one, click the one you want a void cheque for).
  • Click the « Download void cheque » button to download the PDF version. On your smartphone, tap « Show more », then « Direct deposit info » and « Download void cheque ».

The information it shows:

  • Name and address of the account holder
  • Name and address of the financial institution
  • Five-digit transit number (or identification number)
  • Three-digit institution number
  • Account number

Conclusion

In short, you always have easy access to your void cheque, whatever your financial institution. That way, you can obtain or share your banking details with your employer (for example, to have your pay deposited) or a service provider (for example, to pay your mortgage, your electricity bill or your insurance premiums).

You can be confident about the security of this document. It can never be used to withdraw money from your account. It only allows a person or an organization to pay money into it.

Frequently asked questions

Which credit card should you choose in Canada?

The right credit card depends on your profile: income, spending and goal (travel, cash back, balance transfer). To compare the options against your own criteria, use our credit card comparison tool. You can also consult our ranking of the best credit cards of the month, updated every month by the Milesopedia team.

What is a void cheque in Canada?

A void cheque is a copy (paper or digital) of a cheque used to share the banking details of an account. It allows a person or an organization to transfer money directly into the linked account. For example, your employer can deposit your pay directly into your chequing account.

How do you read a Canadian void cheque?

A Canadian void cheque shows the following banking details: name and address of the account holder, name and address of the financial institution, five-digit transit number (or identification number), three-digit institution number and account number (the number of digits can vary from one financial institution to another).

How do you access your void cheque?

You can easily access your void cheque on the secure website or the mobile app of your financial institution. The steps to obtain it do vary slightly from one bank to another.

Can a cancelled cheque replace a void cheque?

They are the same thing. Writing the word VOID on a cheque produces the equivalent of a void cheque.

Our featured card

Featured

Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card

American ExpressMarriott Bonvoy
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Legal

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.