How to enter your bank account numbers correctly

Entering the right numbers is a critical step: a single reversed digit or a missing number can lead to the “account not found” error and block the setup of the withdrawal.

Where to find your numbers

You have two reliable options:

1. Your void cheque / direct deposit form (PDF) available in your online banking — often called “Void cheque”, “Direct deposit information” or “Pre-authorized debit”. This document shows exactly the numbers to use. (For example, banks offer a “cheque / direct deposit information” page to print or download.)
2. A paper cheque (if you have one): look at the line of numbers at the bottom of a voided cheque. It contains everything you need to read for the PAD.

The 3 numbers to enter

On a Canadian cheque, you will always find:

• Transit (branch) number: 5 digits — identifies your branch.
• Institution number: 3 digits — identifies your bank.
• Account number: variable length (often 7 to 12 digits) — identifies your account.

⚠️ The first block (often 3 digits) is the cheque number: do not enter it in a PAD form.

Example (fictitious) as shown on a void cheque:
001 12345 999 00123456789
— 001 = cheque number (ignore)
— 12345 = transit
— 999 = institution
— 00123456789 = account

Special case: the check digit

Some institutions, such as Desjardins, add a check digit at the end of the account number.
👉 This digit is an integral part of the account number. When your void cheque or direct deposit PDF shows it, you must copy it in full, without removing or changing it.

001 | 30303 | 815 | 123 | 456 | 7
— 001 = cheque number (ignore)
— 30303 = transit (5 digits)
— 815 = institution (Desjardins code, 3 digits)
— 123 | 456 | 7 = account (7 digits — includes the check digit; keep all zeros)

What the PAD form will ask for

A standard PAD form will ask for exactly this information: institution number (3), transit number (5), account number (complete), plus your contact details and the authorization (mandate).

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Mixing up transit and institution → check that the transit = 5 digits and the institution = 3 digits.
• Entering the cheque number (the very first block) → do not copy it.
• Removing a “check digit” when your bank displays one → keep all the digits of your account number as shown on the void cheque. (Some accounts include a check digit in the account number.)
• Using the wrong type of account → make sure the account allows withdrawals (most chequing accounts, and often some savings accounts, are compatible). Refer to your bank’s document.
• Name mismatch → the account holder’s name must match the paying tenant. If the cheque or void cheque is in someone else’s name (e.g. a spouse, parent, or company), the bank may refuse the PAD.

If you don’t have a cheque

Almost all Canadian banks let you download a “void cheque / direct deposit” PDF from your online banking. This PDF is the reference: print it or copy the numbers exactly as they appear.

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Updated on: 12/11/2026