Build your direct deposit information summary
Enter the details from an official void cheque or direct deposit form. This tool organizes information; it does not enrol you in direct deposit or verify that an account can receive payments.
A joint account may show more than one account holder.
Choosing a listed institution fills its three-digit code.
This identifies the branch or routing location.
Use the code on your official banking document.
Canadian account-number length varies. This builder accepts up to 12 digits; confirm the exact value with your bank document.
Canadian Direct Deposit Information Summary
Review before submittingCopying or printing includes the full account number, even when hidden on screen. Use only your recipient’s approved channel. Clearing this page does not erase your clipboard, saved files, or print queue.
What information is needed for direct deposit in Canada?
A typical Canadian direct deposit request needs the name of the account holder, the financial institution, a five-digit branch or transit number, a three-digit institution number, and the account number. These values direct a payment to the correct institution, branch routing record, and customer account.
The most reliable source is a void cheque or a direct deposit information form downloaded from your online banking service. If neither is available, contact your financial institution. Do not guess a missing leading zero or reuse details from an unrelated account.
Where each number comes from
- Transit number: the five-digit branch or routing identifier.
- Institution number: the three-digit identifier for the bank or financial institution.
- Account number: the customer account identifier, which varies in length.
- Cheque number: normally not required for direct deposit.
How this builder differs from the other Canada banking tools
| Tool | Use it when | What it produces |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Deposit Information Builder | You already have account details and want to review, copy, or print them together. | A browser-generated information summary for your review. |
| Institution Number Lookup | You know a code, bank name, or abbreviation and want to identify the institution. | An institution match and bank-specific guide link. |
| Transit Number Formatter | A form requests cheque or EFT routing layout. | Formatted public routing identifiers without an account number. |
Review your information before sharing it
- Confirm the account holder name and make sure the account is intended to receive the payment.
- Compare the five transit digits, three institution digits, and full account number character by character with an official banking document.
- Check whether the recipient requires a void cheque, bank-generated form, signature, authorization, or additional identifying information.
- Use the recipient’s official secure portal or approved submission method. Ordinary email may not be appropriate for sensitive banking information.
- If changing accounts, follow the payer’s instructions and avoid closing the old account until the change has been confirmed and a payment reaches the new account.
This builder deliberately does not request a Social Insurance Number, address, password, debit card number, or online banking credentials. Those items are not needed to organize the bank-routing summary created here.
Related tools and resources
Official sources and disclaimer
This tool is for organizing information only and does not submit, verify, or authorize direct deposit. Confirm all details with your financial institution and the recipient. For federal direct deposit requirements, see the official Government of Canada instructions.
This independent tool is not affiliated with a bank or government agency.
Get bank-issued details from RBC’s void cheque instructions or Scotiabank’s direct deposit help.