How to Reprint a Check

You'll need to reprint a check if the original was lost in the mail, damaged, or printed incorrectly. The key is making sure the original can never be cashed, so you don't end up paying the same payee twice.

Steps to reissue safely

1. If the original check still exists and hasn't been cashed, void it (write VOID across it) and record that in your register.
2. If the original is lost or you can't retrieve it, contact your bank about placing a stop payment on that check number — this blocks it from being cashed even if it turns up later.
3. Print a new check with a new check number — don't reuse the original number, since your bank's records and your own register both expect each number used exactly once.
4. Update your records to show the original as voided or stopped, and the new check as the active payment.

A stop payment typically carries a fee from your bank, so it's worth confirming the original check truly can't be recovered before requesting one.