Stop payment of cheque application

Use this to ask the bank not to pay a cheque that you issued or lost, before it is presented.

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To The Branch Manager, [Bank Name], [Branch Name] Date: [Date] Subject: Request to stop payment of cheque number [Cheque Number] Respected Sir/Madam, I hold a [savings/current] account, number [Account Number], in your branch. Kindly stop the payment of the following cheque: Cheque number: [Cheque Number] Date on cheque: [Cheque Date] Amount: Rs [Amount] In favour of: [Payee Name] Reason: [Reason, for example the cheque has been lost]. Please confirm that the stop payment has been recorded. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, [Your Name] Account No.: [Account Number] Mobile: [Mobile Number] Signature: ____________

When to use this letter

Use this when a cheque you signed has been lost, stolen or sent to the wrong person, or when a blank or signed cheque leaf is missing from your cheque book. It is meant for such situations. Stopping a cheque that you gave for a genuine payment is a serious step, and you should take advice before doing it.

Before you send it

Act fast. A stop request works only if it reaches the bank before the cheque is paid. Use net banking, the app or the helpline first, then give the letter.
If a whole cheque book or several leaves are lost, list the first and last cheque numbers.
Stopping a cheque that you gave to pay a real debt can have legal results. If there is a dispute behind it, take advice first.
Banks usually charge a fee for stop payment. Ask the branch.

How to send or submit it

First place the stop request on the app, net banking or the bank's helpline, because minutes can matter. Then hand this letter in at the branch and get a dated receiving stamp on your copy. Check your statement afterwards to make sure the cheque was not paid.

Mistakes that get it sent back

The cheque number is wrong or missing.
The cheque had already been paid before the request reached the bank.
The signature does not match.
A range of lost leaves was reported without the first and last numbers.

This is a general format, written by us, to save you time. If the bank has its own printed form, use that form. Last checked: 11 November 2026.

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