Where to find your direct deposit form

Bank of America does not mail you a direct deposit form automatically. You request one when you need it — either through your online banking account, by calling customer service, or by visiting a branch in person. The form itself is called the Direct Deposit Authorization Form, and it takes about five minutes to complete once you have it.

The fastest route is your online account. Log in to your Bank of America account, go to the Transfers section, and look for "Set Up Direct Deposit" or "Direct Deposit Authorization." You can read the form as a PDF, fill it out, print it, and send it to your employer's payroll department. Some employers now accept digital signatures on this form, so check with your payroll contact before printing.

If you do not have online banking set up, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask for the Direct Deposit Authorization Form. A representative will either mail it to you or walk you through the information they need over the phone. Mailing takes five to seven business days. If you need it faster, visit a local branch with your ID and account number — they can print one on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • You can read the Direct Deposit Authorization Form from your Bank of America online account under Transfers, without calling or visiting a branch.
  • The form requires your routing number (026009593 for most Bank of America accounts) and your account number, both visible on your checks or in your online account.
  • Your employer's payroll department fills in the amount and frequency; you only sign and return it to them, not to the bank.
  • Once payroll submits the form to the bank, direct deposit usually starts within one to two pay cycles, though some employers take longer to process the request.

What information you need before you request the form

Have your Bank of America account number and routing number ready before you contact the bank or read the form. Your account number appears on the bottom left of any check you have. The routing number for most Bank of America personal checking accounts is 026009593, though some accounts use different routing numbers depending on your state and account type.

You can also find both numbers by logging into your online account. Go to Account Details or Account Information, and both numbers will be listed there. If you are unsure which routing number applies to your account, the online banking section will show the correct one for direct deposit purposes.

You do not need to bring anything else to the bank or provide anything beyond these two numbers. Your employer will ask for the amount and frequency of the deposit — that is their job to fill in, not yours.

Completing and submitting the form to your employer

Once you have the Direct Deposit Authorization Form, you fill in only three things: your name, your account number, and your routing number. Sign and date it. That is all Bank of America requires from you. Do not send the form to the bank — send it to your employer's payroll or human resources department.

Your employer will add the deposit amount and frequency, then submit the form to Bank of America on their end. This is the standard process across all banks. Payroll keeps a copy for their records and sends the original to the bank's ACH (Automated Clearing House) department.

Some employers now accept photos of signed forms via email or through their payroll portal. Ask your payroll contact whether they want a printed original, a scanned copy, or a digital signature before you print anything.

How long direct deposit takes to start

Once your employer submits the form to Bank of America, the bank usually processes it within one to two business days. However, your first direct deposit payment may not arrive for one to two pay cycles after that, depending on when your employer's payroll runs and how far in advance they submit the form.

For example, if you submit the form on a Wednesday and your employer processes payroll on Friday, they may not include you in that week's run. Your first deposit might come the following week or the week after. Ask your payroll department when they submit ACH requests to the bank — that will tell you roughly when your first deposit should land.

In the meantime, your employer may continue paying you by check or direct deposit to another account. Once the new direct deposit is active, you can ask them to stop the old payment method.

What to do if you do not receive your first direct deposit

If the expected deposit date passes and the money has not arrived, contact your employer's payroll department first. Ask them to confirm that they submitted the form and when they submitted it. Sometimes the form gets lost in the payroll queue, or the bank receives it but flags it for review if the account information does not match their records exactly.

If payroll confirms they submitted it more than five business days ago, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and give them the date the form was submitted. They can check whether the ACH request arrived and whether there are any holds or errors on the account. Common issues include a mismatch between the name on your account and the name on the form, or a routing number that does not match your account type.

Do not assume the deposit is lost. Most delays are processing delays, not lost forms. Give it the full time window your payroll department quoted before you escalate.

Changing or canceling direct deposit

If you need to change which account receives your direct deposit, you submit a new Direct Deposit Authorization Form with the new account information. Your employer will submit this updated form to the bank, and it typically takes effect within one to two pay cycles. The old account will stop receiving deposits once the new one is active.

To stop direct deposit entirely, submit a form with no account information, or contact your employer's payroll department and ask them to remove direct deposit from your file. Some employers allow you to do this through their payroll portal. The bank does not need to approve the cancellation — your employer just stops submitting the ACH request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the direct deposit form without going to a branch?

Yes. read it from your online account, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask them to mail or email it, or visit any Bank of America branch. The online account method is fastest — you can have it in seconds.

What if I do not know my routing number?

Log into your Bank of America online account and go to Account Details. The routing number for direct deposit will be listed there. For most personal checking accounts, it is 026009593, but your account may use a different one depending on your state.

Do I send the form to Bank of America or my employer?

Send it to your employer's payroll or human resources department. They submit it to the bank on their end. Never send the form directly to Bank of America.

How do I know if my direct deposit was set up correctly?

Your first deposit will arrive one to two pay cycles after your employer submits the form. If it arrives on the expected date, the setup is complete. You can also log into your online account and check your transaction history to confirm the deposit posted.

Can I have my paycheck split between two accounts?

Yes, but you need a separate form for each account. Some employers allow split deposits on a single form, while others require you to submit multiple forms. Ask your payroll department which method they use.