The basic steps for depositing a check in person
To deposit a check at your bank, you need to endorse the back, bring it to a teller with your account number or debit card, and hand it over. The teller scans it, you confirm the amount, and the deposit posts to your account—usually within one business day for checks drawn on accounts at the same bank, and one to three business days for checks from other banks.
You do not need to fill out a deposit slip at most banks anymore. Some still have them at the counter, but tellers can process a check with just your ID and the check itself. If you are depositing cash along with the check, a deposit slip helps the teller separate the two amounts, but it is not required.
The whole transaction takes about two minutes. Bring the unsigned check and your ID or debit card. Sign the back only when you are at the bank, in front of the teller if possible—this is safer than signing it at home.
Key Takeaways
- Sign the back of the check at the bank, not before you arrive, and only in the teller's presence if the bank asks you to.
- Checks from your own bank usually post within one business day; checks from other banks take one to three business days.
- You need only your ID or debit card and the check itself—deposit slips are optional at most banks now.
- If you cannot get to a branch, mobile check deposit through your bank's app works the same way and is often faster than mailing a check.
What happens to the check after you hand it over
Once the teller scans your check, the bank sends it through the Federal Reserve's check clearing system or through a private clearing house. The sending bank (where the check was written) receives an image of the check and a demand for payment. If the account has enough money, the funds move from that account to yours.
The time this takes depends on where the check came from. A check drawn on an account at the same bank clears in hours. A check from a different bank in the same region clears in one business day. A check from a bank in another part of the country can take two to three business days. The bank will tell you the expected posting date when you deposit.
During this time, the money is not yet in your account, even though the teller may have given you a receipt. The receipt shows the deposit was received, not that it has cleared. If you withdraw the money before the check clears and it bounces, you will owe the bank a fee—usually $25 to $35—and the check writer's bank will also charge them a fee.
Endorsing the check correctly
The back of the check has a line that says "Endorse here." Sign your name on that line, exactly as it appears on the front of the check. If the check is made out to two people with "and" between the names, both people must sign. If it says "or," either person can sign alone.
Below your signature, write "For deposit only" and your account number. This limits what someone else can do with the check if it is lost or stolen. Without this note, anyone who finds the check could potentially cash it or deposit it into their own account.
Do not sign the check until you are at the bank. If you sign it at home and lose it, someone else can deposit it. If you sign it in front of the teller, the bank has a record that you authorized the deposit, and you have a witness if something goes wrong.
Depositing a check without going to a branch
Most banks offer mobile check deposit through their app. You photograph the front and back of the check, enter the amount, and submit it. The app walks you through the process and tells you when the check has been received and when it will post.
Mobile deposit works the same way as in-person deposit—the check still goes through the Federal Reserve clearing system, and the posting time is the same. The difference is convenience: you can deposit at home or at work, and you do not have to wait in line. Some banks limit how many checks you can deposit per day (often $5,000 to $10,000) or per month, so check your bank's rules.
After you submit a mobile deposit, keep the physical check for at least 30 days. Do not deposit it again in person or at another bank. If the bank needs to verify the deposit, they will ask you to produce the original check or confirm that you destroyed it.
What to do if the check bounces
If the account the check was drawn on does not have enough money, the check bounces. Your bank will reverse the deposit, take the money back out of your account, and charge you a fee—typically $25 to $35. The bank that issued the check will also charge the check writer a fee, usually $25 to $35 as well.
You will see the reversal in your account within one to three business days after the check bounces. If you have already spent the money, you will end up with a negative balance. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write you a new one or send you money another way. Do not deposit a second check from the same person without confirming that their account now has the funds.
If you receive a lot of bounced checks, ask your bank about setting up a hold on deposits from unknown sources. Some banks will hold a percentage of the deposit for a few days before posting it, which gives the check time to clear before you can withdraw the money.
Depositing checks made out to someone else
If a check is made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it into your own account. The person whose name is on the check must be the one to deposit it. If they want you to handle it, they can sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]," then you sign below that. This is called a third-party check, and many banks no longer accept them because of fraud risk.
The safest option is to ask the check writer to issue a new check in your name, or to have the original recipient deposit it into their account and send you the money another way. If you must use a third-party check, call your bank first and ask whether they accept them and what documentation they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a check to clear after I deposit it?
Checks from your own bank usually clear within one business day. Checks from other banks take one to three business days. The bank will give you a posting date when you deposit. You can withdraw the money after that date, but the check may still be in the clearing system—if it bounces after you withdraw, you will owe a fee.
Can I deposit a check made out to my business into my personal account?
No. The check must be deposited into an account that matches the name on the check. If your business and personal accounts are at the same bank, ask the teller whether you can deposit it into the business account and transfer the money to your personal account instead.
What if I sign the back of the check and then lose it before I get to the bank?
Call your bank and tell them the check is lost. They can put a stop on it, which prevents anyone else from depositing it. You will need to contact the check writer and ask them to issue a replacement. This is why it is safer to sign the check at the bank, in front of the teller.
Do I need a deposit slip to deposit a check?
Most banks no longer require deposit slips for checks. The teller can process it with just your ID or debit card. If you are depositing cash along with the check, a slip helps separate the amounts, but you can ask the teller to do this without one.
Can I deposit a check written in another country?
Most U.S. banks do not accept foreign checks because the clearing process is slow and expensive. Ask your bank whether they accept them. If they do, expect the deposit to take two to four weeks and to be charged a fee of $10 to $25. A wire transfer or international money transfer service is usually faster.