Fidelity's mobile check deposit works through the Fidelity Go or Fidelity brokerage app
You photograph the front and back of a check using your phone, and Fidelity processes it without you visiting a branch. The deposit hits your account within one to two business days in most cases. You need the Fidelity app installed, a camera-equipped phone, and a valid check made out to you or your account.
Fidelity also accepts checks by mail to their deposit address, though that takes longer. The mobile route is faster and works from home, which is why most people use it.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Fidelity app, navigate to Deposit Checks, and photograph both sides of the check under good lighting with all text clearly visible.
- Fidelity processes mobile deposits within one to two business days, though weekend and holiday deposits may take longer to clear.
- Checks must be made payable to you or to you and another account holder, and the amount must fall within Fidelity's daily and monthly deposit limits.
- After you submit a mobile deposit, write the check number and amount in your register and do not deposit the same check elsewhere or spend the funds until it clears.
- If a deposit is rejected, the app shows the reason — usually poor image quality, missing information, or an ineligible check — and you can resubmit or mail it instead.
Step-by-step process for mobile check deposit
Start in the Fidelity app on your phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then select Deposit Checks or Mobile Deposit — the exact label varies by app version. You will see a screen asking you to photograph the front of the check.
Hold the check flat under natural light or a lamp so the text is sharp and shadows do not obscure numbers or signatures. The camera will guide you to frame the entire check. Take the photo, review it, and tap Retake if the image is blurry or cut off. Once you approve the front, photograph the back the same way. Most checks have "For deposit only" printed on the back; if yours is blank, write that phrase and sign your name across the back before photographing.
After both images upload, the app shows the check amount and routing information pulled from the image. Verify the amount is correct. Select which Fidelity account receives the deposit — usually your checking account, but you can choose another if you have multiple accounts. Tap Deposit or Confirm, and the transaction is submitted.
What happens after you submit the deposit
Fidelity sends you a confirmation message in the app and usually by email. The check enters their processing queue. Within one to two business days, the funds appear in your account as available balance. Deposits submitted on weekends or holidays may take until the next business day to begin processing.
Until the check clears, the funds are technically conditional — Fidelity can reverse the deposit if the check bounces or is fraudulent. Do not spend the money or deposit the same check elsewhere while it is pending. Write the check number and amount in your check register so you track it.
If you need the money urgently, contact Fidelity to ask whether they can make funds available sooner. They sometimes do for established customers with good history, but this is not may provide.
Deposit limits and check may be able to access
Fidelity sets daily and monthly limits on mobile check deposits. Daily limits are typically $10,000 per check and $25,000 total per day, though these vary by account type and history. Monthly limits are usually $100,000 or higher. If you hit a limit, you can mail additional checks or wait until the next day to deposit more.
The check must be made payable to you by name, or to you and another person whose name is on the account. Checks made out to a business, a deceased person, or someone else cannot be deposited into your personal checking account. Third-party checks — checks made to someone else that they sign over to you — are not accepted by Fidelity's mobile deposit.
Fidelity will not accept post-dated checks (dated in the future), checks older than six months, checks with alterations, or checks marked "non-negotiable." If your check does not meet these rules, you can mail it or ask the check writer for a new one.
Troubleshooting rejected or failed deposits
If Fidelity rejects your deposit, the app displays a reason. The most common causes are blurry images, missing routing numbers or account numbers, insufficient contrast between the check and background, or an ineligible check type. If the image is the problem, retake the photos under better lighting and resubmit.
If the check itself is ineligible — for example, it is post-dated or made out to someone else — you cannot resubmit it through mobile deposit. Contact Fidelity to ask whether you can mail it instead, or request a new check from the payer.
If a deposit appears to succeed but then disappears from your account, Fidelity may have reversed it due to a fraud flag or a problem with the check. Check your transaction history and any messages from Fidelity. Call their customer service line to ask why the deposit was reversed and what you need to do next.
Mailing checks as an alternative to mobile deposit
If your phone does not have a camera, the check is ineligible for mobile deposit, or you prefer not to use the app, you can mail checks to Fidelity. The address is printed in your account statements or available through the app under Deposit by Mail. Include a deposit slip if one came with your account materials, or write your account number on the back of the check.
Mail deposits take five to seven business days to clear, longer than mobile deposit. Use a find mailbox or post office rather than leaving checks in your home mailbox. Keep a record of what you mailed and when, in case you need to follow up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a check to clear after I submit it through the app?
Most deposits clear within one to two business days. Deposits submitted on weekends or holidays may not begin processing until the next business day. Fidelity will notify you when the funds are available.
Can I deposit a check that is made out to my business?
No. Fidelity's mobile deposit for personal checking accounts only accepts checks made payable to you by name. Business checks require a business account or must be mailed to a business deposit address.
What should I do if the app says the image is too blurry?
Retake the photo in better lighting — natural daylight or a bright lamp works best. Hold the check flat and steady, and make sure all numbers, signatures, and text are sharp and fully visible in the frame. Avoid shadows and glare.
Can I deposit the same check twice by accident?
Fidelity's system detects duplicate deposits and will reject the second one. However, do not test this — after you submit a mobile deposit, do not mail the same check or deposit it elsewhere. Write it in your register and wait for it to clear.
What if I need the money before the check clears?
Contact Fidelity's customer service and explain your situation. They may make funds available sooner for established customers, but this is not may provide. If you need when ready access to cash, ask the check writer for an alternative payment method.