The three ways to deposit a check
You can deposit a check into your checking account in three ways: at an ATM, through a mobile app, or at a bank branch. ATM and mobile deposits are faster and work outside business hours. Branch deposits are slower but let you ask questions if something seems wrong with the check.
Which method you use depends on what your bank offers, whether you have the check's routing number handy, and how quickly you need the money. Most banks now support at least two of these methods.
Before you deposit any check, write your account number on the back of the check in the endorsement area — the blank space on the back left side. This step is required by federal law and protects you if the check is lost during processing.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign or write your account number on the back of the check before depositing it, regardless of which method you use.
- Mobile check deposits typically clear within one to three business days, while ATM deposits may take slightly longer.
- Your bank sets daily deposit limits for ATM and mobile deposits, which usually range from $500 to $5,000 per transaction.
- If a check is rejected during deposit, your bank will notify you and the check will be returned to the person who wrote it.
Depositing a check through your bank's mobile app
Mobile deposit is the fastest and most convenient method for most people. Open your bank's mobile app, find the deposit or check deposit section, and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need to take two photos — one of the front of the check and one of the back — and the app will walk you through the correct angle and lighting.
The app will show you the check amount and routing information before you confirm the deposit. Review this information carefully. Once you submit, the check is in the system and you cannot cancel it, though your bank may reject it later if something is wrong with the check itself.
Most banks post mobile deposits within one to three business days. Some banks offer faster posting for deposits made before a certain time of day — often 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. Check your bank's app or website to see if this applies to you. After the deposit posts, you can destroy the physical check.
Depositing a check at an ATM
ATM deposits work at any hour and require no app. Insert your debit card, select deposit, choose checking account, and follow the prompts. The ATM will ask you to insert the check into a slot. Some ATMs scan the check when ready and show you the amount on the screen; others accept the check without displaying it, and you find out later if there was a problem.
ATM deposits typically clear within one to three business days, the same as mobile deposits. However, ATM deposits sometimes take longer because the bank has to physically retrieve the check from the machine and process it. If the ATM rejects your check, it will return it when ready and you can try again or use a different method.
Your bank sets a daily limit on ATM deposits, usually between $500 and $5,000 per transaction. If your check exceeds this limit, you will need to use a branch deposit or split the deposit across multiple days.
Depositing a check at a bank branch
Walk into any branch during business hours with your check and debit card. Tell the teller you want to deposit the check into your checking account. The teller will verify your account, check the routing number and amount, and process the deposit on the spot.
Branch deposits post when ready or within one business day because the teller processes them in real time. This method is useful if you have questions about the check, if the amount is very large, or if you need the money urgently. There are no daily limits on branch deposits.
The downside is that you must go during business hours, which may not be convenient. If you do not have a branch nearby or cannot get there during open hours, mobile or ATM deposit is a better choice.
What happens after you deposit a check
Once your deposit is submitted, the check enters a clearing process. Your bank sends the check to a clearing house, which routes it to the bank that issued the check. That bank verifies the account number and signature, checks for sufficient funds, and either approves or rejects the check. This process takes one to three business days for most checks.
During this time, your bank may make the funds available to you before the check fully clears — this is called a provisional credit. You can spend this money, but if the check is rejected later, your bank will reverse the deposit and charge you a fee, usually $5 to $15. This happens most often when the check writer does not have enough money in their account.
Once the check clears, the funds are yours permanently and the provisional credit becomes final. Your bank will send you a confirmation, usually through your app or email.
Reasons a check deposit might be rejected
A check can be rejected for several reasons. The most common is insufficient funds — the account that issued the check does not have enough money to cover it. Other reasons include a missing or illegible routing number, a signature that does not match bank records, a post-dated check (dated in the future), or a stale-dated check (more than six months old).
If your bank rejects a check, it will notify you within one to three business days. If you deposited the check through an ATM or mobile app, the rejection notice will appear in your app or arrive by email. The physical check will be returned to the person who wrote it, not to you. Contact the check writer and ask them to issue a new check or use a different payment method.
If you believe a check was rejected in error, contact your bank's customer service line. They can investigate the rejection and resubmit the check if appropriate, though this is rare.
Daily limits and holds on check deposits
Your bank sets a daily limit on how much you can deposit through ATM or mobile app, typically between $500 and $5,000 per transaction. This limit is a fraud prevention measure. If you need to deposit more than this amount, use a branch deposit, which has no limit, or split your deposits across multiple days.
Some banks also place a hold on check deposits, meaning they do not make the full amount available when ready even though the deposit is submitted. A hold usually lasts one to three business days but can be longer for large checks or checks from out-of-state banks. Your bank will tell you when the hold will be lifted. During a hold, you cannot spend the money, but the deposit is still in your account.
Holds are different from rejections. A hold means the bank is waiting for the check to clear before releasing the funds. A rejection means the check will not clear and the deposit is cancelled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the back of the check or write my account number?
You need to do one or the other. A signature is the traditional method, but writing your account number is safer because it prevents someone else from depositing the check if it is lost. Many people do both. Your bank will accept either method.
Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?
No. A check must be deposited into the account of the person whose name is on the front. If someone gives you a check made out to them, they must deposit it themselves or sign the back and write "pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature — this is called a third-party endorsement. Many banks no longer accept third-party checks due to fraud risk, so ask your bank first.
What if the check amount on the app does not match what I think it should be?
Do not submit the deposit. Cancel it and contact the person who wrote the check to confirm the amount. If the amount is wrong, ask them to issue a new check. If you submit a deposit with the wrong amount, you cannot undo it.
How long does it take for a check to clear?
Most checks clear within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days. Large checks or checks from out-of-state banks may take longer. Your bank will tell you the expected clearing date when you deposit the check.
Can I deposit a check if my account is overdrawn?
Yes. The deposit will be processed and the funds will be applied to your account balance once the check clears. If your account is overdrawn and you deposit a check, the bank will use the funds to bring your balance positive, and any remaining amount is yours to spend.