Void cheque in Canada

To the point This article explains what a void cheque is and how to obtain one, regardless of your financial institution: NBC, BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, Tangerine, TD, etc.

What Is the Purpose of a Void Cheque in Canada? Is It Safe? What Information Does It Contain? What Is a Transit Number? What Is an Institutional Number?

How Can I Obtain a Void Cheque? National Bank Void Cheque BMO Void Cheque CIBC Void Cheque Desjardins Void Cheque (AccèsD) TD Void Cheque Tangerine Void Cheque Wealthsimple Cash Void Cheque

Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions

In the digital age, the void cheque remains a necessary tool for a variety of transactions. A few years ago, you would scribble “void” or “specimen” on a paper check and that was it. Today, it comes mostly in digital form. Generally, this is a PDF format to be downloaded from our financial institution’s secure website (online banking) or mobile application.

But what exactly is a void cheque for? How do you get one from your financial institution (NBC, BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, Tangerine, TD, etc.)? These are just a few of the questions you’ll find the answers to in this article.

What Is the Purpose of a Void Cheque in Canada?

First of all, a simple reminder of what a void cheque is. Basically, it’s a copy of a cheque used to share information about a given chequing account.

Ultimately, it allows an individual or 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 to deposit your pay directly into your account.

Today, few employers or suppliers pay their employees or customers by physical cheque. Everything is done online – or almost! For this reason, knowing how to find your void cheque is essential.

Is It Safe?

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. In order for a bank or bill issuer to withdraw money from your bank account, you must complete a pre-authorized debit agreement (electronic, in writing or by telephone) in addition to providing your void cheque, to give permission for withdrawals.

What Information Does It Contain?

Essentially, the void cheque is designed to collect or share the following banking information:

5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number (number of digits may vary from one financial institution to another)
Name and address of financial institution

You may be asked for this information in a variety of circumstances: setting up direct deposits, receiving an overseas payment, programming a recurring payment into your account and more.

What Is a Transit Number?

The transit number (or identification number) is made up of 5 digits and represents the number of the bank branch. When combined with the institution number and account number, it identifies the exact location of a bank account for direct deposits or money transfers.

What Is an Institutional Number?

The institution number consists of 3 digits and represents the number of the financial institution. When combined with the transit number (or identification number) and the account number, it can be used to establish direct deposits, among other things.

How Can I Obtain a Void Cheque?

As mentioned above, your void cheque is available online. You can access it easily via your financial institution’s secure website or mobile application. In fact, it’s in the same place as where you carry out your online banking transactions: bill payment, Interac transfer, etc.

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

National Bank Void Cheque

Here’s how to get your void cheque if you’re a National Bank (NBC) customer:

Login to My Online Banking with your username and password.
Click on “Overview” in the left-hand menu.
Select the account from which you wish to obtain a void cheque.
Click on “Download a specimen” to generate a PDF copy.

What information it offers:

Name and address of account holder
Name and address of financial institution
5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number

BMO Void Cheque

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

Login to BMO Online Banking with your username and password.
Click on “My accounts”.
Select the account from which you wish to obtain a void cheque.
Click on “Void cheque”.
Download the PDF file containing your void cheque.

What information it offers:

Name and address of financial institution
Name and address of account holder
5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number

CIBC Void Cheque

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

Log on to CIBC Online Banking with your username and password.
In the “My accounts” section, select the account for which you would like to receive a void cheque.
Click on “View void cheque and pre-authorized deposit form” and download the document.

What information it offers:

Name and address of financial institution
Name and address of account holder
5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number

Desjardins Void Cheque (AccèsD)

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

Log on to AccèsD with your username and password.
Click on the “More options” button, accessible via the right-hand menu on your computer, or at the bottom of the screen on a smartphone.
Click on the “Void cheque” link and download the PDF version.

What information it offers:

Name and address of the financial institution
5-digit Desjardins transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number or folio number (including zeros)
Check digit

TD Void Cheque

Once again, it’s very easy to generate a void cheque online with TD:

Login to EasyWeb with your username (or Access Card) and password.
Select the account for which you wish to obtain a void cheque.
Click on “Direct deposit form (PDF)”.
Your browser will present you with a document containing the void cheque. Download this document to your files.

What information it offers:

Name and address of financial institution
5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number

Tangerine Void Cheque

With Tangerine online banking, you can quickly obtain a void cheque for your chequing account. Here are the steps to follow:

Log on to Customer Access using your login and PIN.
In the “Expenses” section, select the chequing account for which you wish to obtain a void cheque.
Click on the “Void cheque” button and download the PDF version.

What information it offers:

Name and address of account holder
Name and address of financial institution
5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number

Wealthsimple Cash Void Cheque

The Wealthsimple platform allows you to 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 password.
Click on your Cash account (if you have more than one, click on the one for which you want a void cheque).
Click on the “Download void cheque” button to download the PDF version. On your smartphone, click “View More”, “Direct Deposit Info” and “Download Voided Check” instead.

What information it offers:

Name and address of account holder
Name and address of financial institution
5-digit transit number (or identification number)
3-digit institution number
Account number

Bottom Line

In short, you always have easy access to your void cheque, regardless of your financial institution. For example, you can obtain or share your banking information with your employer (e.g., to deposit your pay) or a service provider (e.g., to pay your mortgage, electricity bill or insurance premiums).

Rest assured that this document is secure. It cannot be used to withdraw money from your account. It can only be used by a person or organization to deposit money into your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a void cheque in Canada?

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

How to read a Canadian void cheque?

A Canadian void cheque includes the following banking information: name and address of the account holder, name and address of the financial institution, 5-digit transit number (or identification number), 3-digit institution number and account number (the number of digits may vary from one financial institution to another).

How do I access my void cheque?

You can easily access your void cheque on your financial institution’s secure website or mobile app. However, the steps for obtaining it vary slightly from bank to bank.