Request a voided check in person at your Wells Fargo branch or by calling customer service

A voided check is a check with "VOID" written across the front that you can give to employers, benefits programs, or other organizations to set up direct deposit or automatic payments. Wells Fargo will print one for you at no cost. The fastest way is to walk into any Wells Fargo branch with your ID and ask a teller to void a check from your account. If you cannot visit a branch, call Wells Fargo customer service at 1-800-869-3557 and request a voided check by mail — it typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days.

You do not need to have blank checks at home to get a voided check. Wells Fargo can print one directly from their system and void it for you on the spot. If you do have a blank check, you can void it yourself by writing "VOID" in large letters across the front and back, then providing it to whoever needs it. Either method works — the organization receiving it only needs to see the routing number, account number, and check number, all of which remain readable when a check is voided.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit any Wells Fargo branch with your ID and ask a teller to print and void a check for you — this takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
  • If you cannot visit a branch, call 1-800-869-3557 and request a voided check by mail, which arrives in 5 to 7 business days.
  • You can also void a blank check yourself by writing "VOID" across the front and back in large letters, then provide it to the organization that needs it.
  • The routing number, account number, and check number remain visible and usable on a voided check — that is the entire point of voiding it.

What information appears on a voided check

A voided check shows three pieces of information that organizations need to set up direct deposit or automatic payments: your routing number, your account number, and the check number. The routing number identifies Wells Fargo and the specific branch or processing center. The account number identifies your specific account. The check number is just a sequential identifier on that particular check.

When you void a check, these numbers remain fully visible and readable — voiding only means you are telling the bank and anyone else that this particular check should not be cashed. The organization receiving the voided check uses those three numbers to pull money from your account electronically, not by depositing the physical check. That is why a voided check is safe to share: it cannot be cashed as a check, but it contains the routing and account information needed for electronic transfers.

Getting a voided check if you do not have blank checks

Many people no longer order physical checks, so Wells Fargo expects this request. When you call or visit, straightforward tell the teller or customer service representative that you need a voided check and do not have blank checks on hand. They can print one from their system when ready. At a branch, this takes a few minutes. By phone, they will mail it to the address on file.

If you want the voided check faster than mail delivery, visiting a branch is your only option. Wells Fargo does not send voided checks by email or fax for security reasons. If you live far from a branch or have mobility issues, the 5 to 7 day mail timeline may be your best option, or you can ask the organization whether they accept a screenshot of your account information or a bank statement showing your routing and account numbers — some do, though most prefer the voided check format.

Voiding a check yourself versus requesting one from Wells Fargo

You have two options: void a check yourself if you have blank checks, or request one from Wells Fargo. Both are equally valid. If you have a checkbook, take any blank check, write "VOID" in large letters across the front and back with a pen, and provide it to whoever needs it. This takes 30 seconds and costs nothing. If you do not have checks or prefer not to use your own, Wells Fargo will do it for you.

The organization receiving the voided check does not care which method you used — they only need to see the routing number, account number, and check number. There is no security difference between the two methods. Choose whichever is faster or more convenient for you.

Timing and what to expect

If you visit a Wells Fargo branch in person, expect to wait in line and spend 5 to 10 minutes at the teller window. Bring your ID. If you call customer service, the representative will confirm your identity by asking security questions, then mail the voided check to your address on file. Standard mail delivery takes 5 to 7 business days, though this can vary depending on your location and mail service delays.

If you need the voided check urgently — for example, your employer needs it before your first paycheck — visiting a branch is your fastest option. If you are setting up direct deposit for a benefits program or automatic bill pay and have a few days, calling and requesting mail delivery works fine. Some organizations also accept a temporary arrangement while you wait for the voided check, such as providing your routing and account numbers in writing or over the phone, though this is less common.

What to do if you lose or damage the voided check

If Wells Fargo mails you a voided check and it arrives damaged or lost in the mail, call customer service again and request a replacement. They will mail another one at no cost. If you voided a check yourself and lost it, straightforward void another blank check from your checkbook and use that one instead. There is no limit to how many voided checks you can have or use — they are not tracked or registered the way actual checks are.

Keep in mind that once you provide a voided check to an organization, that organization has your routing and account numbers. This is normal and necessary for direct deposit and automatic payments to work. If you later want to stop automatic payments from that organization, you can contact your bank or the organization directly to cancel the arrangement — voiding the check does not automatically stop payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a voided check without visiting a branch?

Yes. Call Wells Fargo customer service at 1-800-869-3557 and request a voided check by mail. It will arrive in 5 to 7 business days. You cannot receive one by email or fax for security reasons, but mail is free and requires no branch visit.

Is it safe to give my voided check to an employer or organization?

Yes. A voided check shows your routing and account numbers, which is exactly what direct deposit and automatic payments need. The "VOID" marking prevents the check itself from being cashed. Organizations that handle payroll and benefits are accustomed to receiving voided checks and protecting that information.

What if the organization says they need an original voided check, not a copy?

Provide the original. If you voided a check yourself, give them that check. If Wells Fargo mailed you one, give them that one. You can always request another voided check if you need a second copy for a different organization — there is no limit.

Do I need to have an active checkbook to get a voided check from Wells Fargo?

No. Wells Fargo can print and void a check for you even if you have never ordered checks or your checkbook is inactive. This is a standard service they provide to all account holders.

Can I void a check online through Wells Fargo's website?

No. You must either void a check yourself by hand, visit a branch, or call customer service to request one by mail. Wells Fargo does not offer online voided check requests through their website or mobile app.