The basic steps for depositing a check
To deposit a check, you need to sign the back of it, take it to your bank or credit union, and hand it to a teller or put it in an ATM or mobile app. The bank then sends the check to the issuing bank (the one that printed it), confirms the money is there, and adds it to your account. This process usually takes one to three business days, though some banks hold new checks longer.
You do not need to be a customer of the bank that issued the check. If you have an account at Bank A and someone gives you a check from Bank B, you deposit it into your Bank A account. The two banks handle the transfer behind the scenes.
The one thing you must do before handing over the check is sign it. Flip the check over to the blank side and write your signature on the line marked "Endorse here" or similar. This tells the bank you are the person meant to receive the money.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign the back of a check before depositing it, even if you are using a mobile app or ATM.
- Most banks take one to three business days to process a check, though they may hold it longer if you are new to the account or the amount is large.
- You can deposit a check in person at a teller window, at an ATM, or through your bank's mobile app if it offers mobile deposit.
- The bank that issued the check and your bank communicate directly to move the money, so you do not need to do anything after you hand it over.
Depositing a check in person at a teller window
Walk into your bank or credit union during business hours, sign the back of the check, and hand it to a teller along with your debit card or account number. The teller will scan it, confirm the amount, and give you a receipt showing the deposit. The money will show up in your account within one to three business days, though some banks make a portion of it available sooner.
If you are not sure whether the check has cleared, log into your online banking or call the bank. Your account will show "pending" deposits separately from money that is fully available to spend. Do not assume a deposit is final just because you see it in your account — the bank can still reverse it if the issuing bank rejects it.
Depositing a check at an ATM
Many ATMs accept check deposits. Insert your debit card, select "Deposit," choose "Check," and follow the prompts. The ATM will ask you to insert the check face-up or face-down depending on the machine. Sign the back first. The ATM scans it, shows you the amount on the screen, and asks you to confirm. If everything looks right, press yes and the machine will take the check.
ATM deposits work the same way as teller deposits — the money takes one to three business days to appear in your account. The advantage is that you can deposit at any time, even outside business hours. The disadvantage is that if something goes wrong (the machine jams, the scan fails, the amount is wrong), you cannot ask a person for help right then.
Depositing a check through a mobile app
If your bank offers mobile deposit, open the app, select "Deposit a Check," and take a photo of the front and back of the check. The app will show you what it read and ask you to confirm the amount. Sign the back of the check before you take the photos. Once you confirm, the app sends the images to the bank and the check is deposited.
Mobile deposit is the fastest way to deposit a check if you are at home or away from a branch. The money still takes one to three business days to clear, but you do not have to go anywhere. After you submit the photos, write the check amount and number on the envelope or in a note, then store the physical check somewhere safe for at least 30 days. Some banks ask you to destroy it after that; others ask you to keep it. Check your bank's rules.
Not all banks offer mobile deposit, and some limit how many checks you can deposit per day or per month. Log into your app or call your bank to see if this feature is available on your account.
What happens after you deposit a check
Once you hand over the check (in person, at an ATM, or through the app), your bank sends it to a clearing house, which is a central place where banks exchange checks. The clearing house routes it to the bank that issued the check. That bank checks whether the account has enough money and whether the check is real. If everything is good, the money moves from the issuing account to your bank.
During this time, your bank may show the deposit as "pending" in your account. You can usually see pending deposits in your app or online banking, but you cannot spend the money yet. Once the issuing bank confirms the money, your bank changes the status to "posted" or "cleared," and the money is yours to use.
If the issuing bank rejects the check (because the account is closed, the signature does not match, or there is not enough money), your bank will reverse the deposit and take the money back out of your account. This is called a bounced check or returned check. Your bank may charge you a fee, usually between $5 and $15, and the person who wrote the check may also face fees from their bank.
How long a check takes to clear
Federal law says banks must make at least some of a check available within one business day. In practice, most checks clear within one to three business days. A business day is Monday through Friday, not counting holidays. So if you deposit a check on Friday, the clock does not start until Monday.
Your bank may hold a check longer if you are new to the account (usually up to nine business days), if the amount is very large, or if the check is from a bank outside the United States. Some banks also hold checks longer if you have had bounced checks in the past. When you deposit a check, ask the teller or check your receipt to see if a hold is being placed.
If you need the money right away, ask your bank whether it offers next-day deposit or early availability for certain types of checks. Some banks make payroll checks available faster than personal checks.
What to do if something goes wrong
If you deposit a check and it does not show up in your account after three business days, log into your online banking and look for it in the pending section. If it is not there, call your bank and give them the check number and amount. They can trace it and tell you where it is in the process.
If a check bounces, your bank will notify you, usually by email or through your app. The money will be removed from your account and you will be charged a fee. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to rewrite it or send the money another way. Do not deposit the same check twice — if you do, your bank will catch it and reverse one of the deposits.
If you lose a check before you deposit it, contact the person who wrote it and ask for a replacement. Do not try to deposit a check that is torn, water-damaged, or missing information like the amount or signature line. Your bank may refuse it or it may bounce later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?
No. A check is a legal document that says the money goes to the person named on it. If you try to deposit a check with someone else's name, the bank will refuse it. If the person who received the check wants to give you the money, they need to sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature, then you sign below. This is called a third-party check, and many banks no longer accept them because of fraud risk.
What if I deposit a check and then the person stops payment on it?
The check will bounce. The issuing bank will reject it, your bank will reverse the deposit, and you will lose the money plus any fees. The person who wrote the check can ask their bank to stop payment on a specific check, which blocks it from clearing. If this happens to you, contact the person and ask them to cancel the stop payment or send you the money another way.
Do I need to keep the physical check after I deposit it?
Yes, for at least 30 days. Keep it in case the bank needs to verify the deposit or if there is a dispute. After 30 days, check your bank's policy — some ask you to destroy it, others say you can throw it away. Never deposit the same check twice, even by accident.
Can I deposit a check that is dated in the future?
Technically yes, but most banks will not process it until the date on the check arrives. If you deposit a check dated next month, your bank will hold it and release it on that date. Some banks may refuse to accept post-dated checks. Call your bank and ask before you deposit one.
What if the check amount is blank or different from what the person told me?
Do not deposit it. A blank check or one with an amount you did not agree to is a sign of fraud or a mistake. Contact the person who wrote it and ask them to write a new one with the correct amount filled in.