Cancelled Cheque: How to Write One and Why Lenders Need It
When you apply for a personal loan or you open an investment account, complete bank-related paperwork, you are asked to submit a cancelled cheque. And if you rarely use a chequebook, you wonder what a cancelled cheque is and why they need it when no payment is being made.
A cancelled cheque is simply a document that helps the banks to verify your bank account details. This allows the institutions to check your information, such as your account number, bank name, and branch details, without using the cheque to make a payment.
In this guide, we will explain how to write a cancelled cheque, why the lenders ask for one during your loan processing, and what are the things that you should keep in mind while sharing that.
What Is a Cancelled Cheque?
A cancelled cheque is an unused cheque leaf that is marked with the word “CANCELLED” across the face; it is usually between two parallel lines. This means that the cheque is not being used to make a payment.
But even if the cheque is marked as cancelled, the important printed bank information stays visible. This makes it useful for verification of bank details.
A cancelled cheque generally displays information such as:
- Account holder’s name, if it is printed on the cheque
- Bank name and branch details
- IFSC code
- A magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)
- Cheque number
- Account number
For example, when you apply for a loan, a lender will ask you to verify your bank account details in which the approved loan amount will be disbursed, so in such situations you can submit your cancelled check. It will confirm your bank details.
Important: Remember that a cancelled cheque is not the same as a cheque that has been stopped through your bank. When you write “CANCELLED” on a check that makes it unsuitable to make any payment processing, but it does not close your bank account or replace your bank instruction.
How to Write a Cancelled Cheque: Step-by-Step
You can write a cancelled check straightforwardly, & you generally do not need to fill in any payment details or sign it. You need to follow these steps to prepare one correctly:
Step 1: Take out a fresh cheque leaf. Take an unused cheque from the cheque book which is linked to your bank account. Ensure the cheque comes from the bank account and those particulars which you need to confirm with the institution.
Step 2: Draw two parallel lines. You need to draw parallel lines using a black or blue pen across your cheque. They are drawn diagonally across its faces. Make sure that you keep the lines clear without marking the important printed information, such as your account number and IFSC code.
Step 3: Type the word “CANCELLED” between those two lines. Ensure that the way you mark it is easy to read and you can visibly identify the cheque as cancelled. No need for you to write your name or any payment instructions.
Step 4: Do not sign the checque unless it is specifically required. An ordinary cancelled cheque does not require a signature generally. This is a sensible precaution, as the main purpose is to share the bank’s details, not to take a payment. So leaving it unsigned is fine. If an institution asks you to provide a cheque, first confirm with them whether it needs to be signed or left unsigned.
Step 5: Verify the information and write the check. Always make sure that the important details like bank name, account number and IFSC code are clearly visible before you give the cheque or upload its image.
Why Do Lenders Ask for a Cancelled Cheque?
Generally, a cancelled cheque is requested during the loan processing, as lenders mostly require correct banking information. These are the primary reasons a lender may ask for one.
1. Verify Your Bank Account Details. When you apply for a personal loan, the lender needs to verify a bank account. A cancelled cheque can be used as proof of Name & Branch of the bank and the account number. This means you’re less likely to make mistakes when you enter your bank details.
2. Validate the account for loan disbursement. After your loan gets approved and all the formalities are done, the lender needs to transfer the loan amount to your bank account. A canceled cheque helps to confirm the account and reduces the chances of any error in the transfer. Applying, however, does not guarantee that the loan will be approved and disbursed.
3. Complete the Documentation Process. The lender may also require a canceled cheque for documentation and account verification. Usually it is one of the supporting documents that are required along with other required information like proof of identity, income statements or bank statements. This normally happens either during the application process or before the money is disbursed, depending on the lender’s policies. Particular requirements may vary by lender and loan product.
What Are the Other Uses of a Cancelled Cheque?
Cancelled check are used for various purposes beyond the loan applications. Some examples for that include:
- When you join a new company, the employees are requested to confirm the bank details, which is required to credit your salary.
- If you invest in any institution like mutual funds, the institution might request to verify your bank details while you register, or you set up a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP).
- If you’re insured, they may ask you to confirm your banking details to send you premium payments or eligible refunds.
- They might require EPF (Employees Provident Fund) related processes for some provident fund procedures before your bank account verification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Cancelled Cheque
Even when the process is quite simple, some mistakes can make the document unsuitable for the verification:
- Writing over the important information: Do not mark cancelled over the account number, IFSC code, or other important printed details.
- Using the checkbook of the incorrect bank account: Make sure that the cheque belongs to the bank account that you want to verify.
- Filling payment details: You should avoid entering the payee name, date, or amount; these details are not required
- Signing unnecessary: Your signature is not required. Confirm with the institution before you add one.
Can I upload a cancelled e-cheque?
Some banks/financial institutions may accept a scanned copy or a clear photograph of a cancelled cheque. Whether it is acceptable or not that’s up to the verification process of the institution.
If you are completing a loan application online, then check if the lender requests an original cheque, a scanned image, or any other form of bank account verification.
Before you upload the scanned copy of the document, ensure that all the required information is readable. You can use the lender’s official website or application rather than sending the bank document in an unverified link.
And if you don’t have a cheque book, you can ask the lender if they will accept an alternative, such as a bank statement that shows your account details, a passbook copy, or a bank-issued verification document. Do not just assume that every alternative will be accepted. First confirm the available options with the intuitions requesting the document.
If you do not have a cheque book, you can ask the lender whether it accepts an alternative document.
| Document | What It Can Help Verify | Important Note |
| Bank statement | It carries an account holder’s name, account number and bank details, if displayed | Use a statement accepted by the lender. |
| Passbook copy | Name of account holder, account number and branch details, if printed | Make sure the information is clear and current. |
| Document for bank account verification | The bank verified account ownership and account details | Check with your bank about getting one and make sure the lender will accept it. |
| Cancelled cheque | Account holder’s name, account number and other printed bank details | Mark it as cancelled without obscuring the printed information. |
Must Read – How to Check If a Loan App Is RBI-Approved
FAQs
What is a cancelled cheque?
A cancelled cheque is an unused cheque leaf that is marked with two parallel lines and writes the word ‘CANCELLED” in between. It’s used to verify bank account details and not only to make a payment.
How do I write a cancelled cheque?
Take a fresh cheque, then draw two parallel lines across it and write the word “CANCELLED” between them. Leave the payment details blank, and do not sign on that unless specifically instructed. Make sure that after marking all the necessary details are clearly visible.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Have a Cheque Book?
If you don’t have a cheque book then ask your lender whether they accept any other alternatives, such as bank statement, passbook copy or any other bank issued account verification document. And if you have digital-only bank account, then confirm that which verification method is required in this.
Can I Use a Cancelled Cheque From a Joint Account?
It depends on the requirement of the lender and the ownership of the account. If you hold a joint account, then check if the lender accept its cancelled cheque.
Can I use a picture of a canceled cheque to verify online?
Some lenders take a clear photograph/scanned copy of canceled cheque, some may need you to provide a physical document or another verification method.
Can I send a digital copy of a voided check?
Some institutions will accept a scanned copy or a photograph of the cheque but others will want a physical cheque or some other verification document. Check the institution requirements before you submit the document.
Conclusion
A cancelled cheque is a simple task, but that is a very useful document that verifies your account details. And knowing how you should write a cancelled cheque correctly will help you to avoid unnecessary documentation errors when you apply for a loan and complete other financial processing.
Before you submit one, make sure that the printed details are clearly readable, leave the fields blank and share it only with the verified institutions. And if you don’t have any cheque book, ask if an alternative bank verification document will be acceptable.
