Cancelled Cheque Meaning & How to Write One Step-by-Step

Updated on: 8 Dec 2025

A cancelled cheque is one of the most common document requirements in banking and finance. From bank accounts to loans and investments, many financial services ask for one. It’s a quick way to share your bank account details without any transaction happening.

But many people are still unsure how to cancel a cheque or how cancelled cheque looks like. This guide will help you understand what is a cancelled cheque and how to fill one out correctly.

What is a Cancelled Cheque?

A cancelled cheque is a blank cheque where the word ‘CANCELLED’ is written clearly between two parallel lines. It’s not used for payments. Once cancelled, it cannot be encashed or processed. But it still shows all the important details. Details like your name, account number, bank name, IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) and MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) code. That’s why many banks, companies and service providers ask for it.

Cancel cheque means the cheque is blocked from being used, but it still works to confirm your bank account. You don’t fill in anything else. And you usually don’t need to sign it either. You may need to give a cancelled cheque for setting up the Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) for salary. It simply proves to your employer that your account is active and belongs to you. Apart from this, a cancel check leaf is also required for things like auto-debit setup, insurance premiums or loan applications.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fill a Cancelled Cheque

Filling in a cancelled cheque is easy, but it needs to be done correctly. Here’s how to write cancelled cheque step by step:

Step 1: Take a fresh cheque
Use a blank cheque from your cheque book. Make sure your name, account number and IFSC code are printed and clearly visible.

Step 2: Draw two parallel lines
With a blue or black pen, draw two diagonal lines across the cheque. Go from the top-left to the bottom-right corner.

Step 3: Write ‘CANCELLED’
In big capital letters, write ‘CANCELLED’ between the lines. Make sure it’s clear and easy to read.

Step 4: Do not sign the cheque
In most cases, you don’t need to sign a cancelled cheque. So, if you’re unsure about cancelled cheque signature required, the answer is no. Unless the bank clearly asks for it.

Step 5: Leave everything else blank
Don’t fill in the date, payee name or amount. These are not needed on a cancelled cheque.

Step 6: Take a clear picture if needed
If you’re sending it online, click a clean cancelled cheque picture where all printed details are visible.

This is exactly how to create a cancelled check that’s valid for banking and other official use.

When is a Cancelled Cheque Required?

Now that you know how to cancel the cheque, here are the most common situations where it’s needed:

Loan disbursal: Banks and NBFCs ask for it to confirm your bank details before crediting the loan amount. It helps ensure the funds reach the right account without delays.
Setting up auto-debits: It is required to enable ECS for EMIs, utility bills, SIPs or insurance premiums. A cancelled cheque helps link your account to the payment system securely.
Opening salary or current accounts: Banks or employers may ask for a cancelled cheque. It helps confirm your account details before crediting salary or opening a new account.
Mutual fund and stock investments: It links your bank account to your investment platform. This ensures smooth money transfers for buying or selling units.
Insurance premium or claim settlement: Insurance companies may ask for it to verify your account. It’s used for auto-debit or to credit claim amounts.
EPF withdrawals: When withdrawing your PF a cancelled cheque confirms your latest bank details.
Income tax refunds: Tax departments may need it while processing your return. It ensures your refund goes to the correct account.
Company audits and compliance: Firms may collect cancelled cheques for record-keeping. It helps match payment details during audits.

In all these cases, cancelled cheques play an important role. Whether it’s for a loan, a salary account or an investment. This small step keeps your paperwork smooth and error-free. But that’s just one part of managing your money. The rest can be simple too, with the right support.

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