Banking: Everything you need to know about specimen cheques in Canada

The specimen cheque in Canada remains a necessary tool for various transactions. A few years ago, you would scribble “cancelled” or “specimen” on a paper check and that was it. Today, it comes mostly in digital form. This is usually in PDF format and can be downloaded from our financial institution’s online portal.

But, what exactly is the purpose of the check specimen? How do you get yours depending on your financial institution (Desjardins, TD, National Bank, etc.)? These are just a few of the questions you’ll find the answers to in this article.

First of all, it is good to have a simple reminder of what a check specimen is. It’s a copy of a cheque used to share information about a given account.

Ultimately, this copy of the check allows an individual or organization to transfer money directly into the linked account. For example, if you’re starting a new job, human resources will ask you for a specimen cheque to deposit your pay directly into your account.

Currently, few employers or suppliers pay their employees or customers by paper check. Everything is done online – or almost! For this reason, knowing how to find the proper cheque is essential.

Essentially, the cheque specimen is designed to collect or share information such as:

• Branch number (transit)
• Identification number
• Folio (or account number)
• Institution number
• Address of the financial institution

In addition, you may be asked for these in a variety of circumstances: receiving an overseas payment, scheduling a recurring payment into your account and more. It is therefore a good idea to have a copy of your check specimen nearby.

Fortunately, it is quick and easy to obtain for most of us. It usually takes just a few clicks to find it, whether you’re on your computer or your phone.

As mentioned above, your check specimen is available online. Regardless of your financial institution, you can access it through your client portal: the same one where you do your online banking (bill payment, Interac transfer, etc.).

However, the steps to obtain it vary slightly from one banner to another. That’s why we’ve provided you with instructions on how to get yours from your bank or caisse.

Your employer may ask you to provide a specimen cheque or a company such as the Fonds de Solidarité FTQ.

You can send your check specimen directly by hand, electronically or by uploading it to the company’s website if it offers this service. In the latter case, you’ll need to check that your document is in the correct format, that your name is printed (and not handwritten), and that it does not exceed the maximum size.

Here’s how to get your specimen cheque when you are a National Bank customer:

• Open a session of My Online Banking with user and password
• Click on the “balance sheet” option in the menu
• Select the account from which you wish to obtain a specimen cheque
• Click on “Options” and “Download Specimen Check” to generate a PDF copy

What information it offers:

• The address of your institution

• The transit number (or identification number)

• The institution number

• Your account number (or folio)

The Bank of Montreal specimen cheque is also available online by following these steps:

• BMO Online Banking Login with User and Password
• Click on “My accounts”.
• Select the account from which you wish to obtain a specimen cheque
• Click on “Sample check”.
• Your browser will present you with a PDF containing your sample check. You can download it in your files

What information it offers:

• The address of your institution
• The transit number (branch)
• The institution number
• The account number (or folio)

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

• Open a CIBC live session with user name and password
• Among the accounts listed in the “My Accounts” section, choose the one for which you want to obtain a specimen check
• Click on “View cancelled cheque and pre-authorized deposit form” and download or print the document

What information it offers:

• The address of your institution
• The transit number (branch)
• The institution number
• The account number (or folio)

Are you a Desjardins client? You can obtain a specimen cheque on Accès D in just a few simple steps:

1. Log on to AccèsD with your user name and password.
2. Click on the More Options button, accessible through the right-hand menu on your computer, or at the bottom of the screen on a smartphone.
3. Click on the link Specimen check and download its PDF version. You will need to have Adobe Reader installed to view it.

What information it offers:

1. Address of the financial institution
2. Identification number
   (caisse transit number)
3. Institution number
4. Account number or folio (including zeros)
5. Checking digit

Again: very easy to generate a cheque specimen online with TD. All you need to do is:

• Sign in to EasyWeb with username and password
• Select the account from which you wish to obtain a specimen cheque
• Click on “Direct deposit form (PDF)”.
• Your browser will present you with a document containing the essential information that your specimen check must have. You can now download it to your files

What information it offers:

• The address of your institution

• Branch number

• The institution number

• Your account number (or folio)

First, it is important to know that no matter what financial institution you are with, you should always have easy access to your specimen cheque. Why? To obtain or share information needed to process payments to your account.

For example, if you are asked for your specimen cheque to deposit your pay directly, it is important to proceed quickly. Doing otherwise could cause you to skip a pay period.

Second, rest assured that this document is secure. It cannot be used to withdraw money from your account. It can only allow an individual or organization to pour into it. So it’s true to say that it’s perfectly safe to send your specimen by e-mail.

Finally, always check that you are downloading the correct check specimen. It is not uncommon to have more than one! Giving the correct information the first time will save you a lot of headaches!