What goes on a deposit slip and why it matters
A deposit slip is a form you fill out when you hand cash or checks to a bank teller. It tells the bank how much money you are depositing, what type of money it is (cash or checks), and which account the money should go into. The teller uses it to process your deposit correctly and give you a receipt.
Even though many people now use mobile deposit or ATMs, some situations still require a paper deposit slip: depositing cash, depositing multiple checks at once, or making a deposit at a branch where you do not have a debit card handy. Filling it out correctly the first time means your deposit posts faster and you avoid confusion about where the money went.
Key Takeaways
- Write your account number at the top of the slip, and write it clearly so the teller can read it without asking.
- List each check separately with its routing number (the nine-digit code at the bottom left of the check), or write "cash" and the dollar amount if you are depositing bills or coins.
- Add up all the checks and cash, write the total at the bottom, and keep your copy of the receipt for your records.
- If you are depositing checks from different banks, the teller may ask you to separate them by bank, so ask before you start if you are unsure.
Where to find your account number and what to write first
Your account number appears on your checks, your debit card, and your bank statement. On a deposit slip, write it in the box labeled "Account Number" at the top. Write it clearly in numbers only — no letters or dashes unless your bank's form shows them. If you do not have your account number memorized, bring your debit card or a recent statement.
Some banks also ask for your name on the deposit slip. If there is a line for it, write your full name as it appears on your account. This is a backup check in case the account number is hard to read. Do not skip this step if the form has a space for it.
How to list checks on the deposit slip
Each check gets its own line on the deposit slip. Write the check amount in the dollar column on the right side of the slip. On the left side, write the routing number — the nine-digit code printed at the bottom left of the check, before the account number. Some banks ask you to write the check number instead; if the form says "Check #", use that. Ask the teller which one your bank wants if the slip is not clear.
If you are depositing five checks from five different banks, you will write five separate lines. If you are depositing multiple checks from the same bank, you still list each one separately. Do not add them up and write one line — the teller needs to see each check listed so the bank can process them individually.
If a check is damaged, torn, or the amount is hard to read, tell the teller before you hand over the slip. Do not try to fix it yourself with a pen. The teller may ask you to contact the person who wrote the check and request a new one.
How to list cash on the deposit slip
If you are depositing cash, write "Cash" on one line of the slip and write the total dollar amount next to it. You do not need to list individual bills or coins — just the total. Count your cash before you hand it to the teller so you both agree on the amount.
Some banks ask you to separate bills by denomination (all twenties together, all tens together, and so on) before you hand them over. This is not required on the slip itself, but asking the teller first saves time. If you are depositing a large amount of cash, the teller may count it in front of you to confirm the total matches what you wrote.
Adding up the total and what happens next
At the bottom of the deposit slip, add up all the checks and all the cash. Write this total in the box labeled "Total Deposit" or "Total Amount". Double-check your math before you hand the slip to the teller — a mistake here means your deposit might be short or the bank might contact you to confirm.
The teller will take your slip, your checks, and your cash. They will count or scan everything, compare it to what you wrote, and give you a receipt. Keep this receipt until the deposit shows up in your account, which usually takes one to two business days for checks and the same day for cash. If the deposit does not appear by then, you have proof of what you handed in.
What to do if you make a mistake on the slip
If you write something wrong before you hand the slip to the teller, cross it out with a single line and write the correct information next to it. Do not use white-out or scribble over it — the teller needs to see what you changed. If the slip becomes too messy to read, ask the teller for a fresh one and start over.
If you realize the mistake after you have already handed in the slip and left the bank, call your branch right away. Give them your name, account number, and the date of the deposit. The teller can look up the transaction and confirm what was actually deposited. If there is a real error, the bank can correct it, though it may take a few business days.
When you might not need a deposit slip
Many banks now have ATMs that take deposits without a slip — you just insert the checks or cash, and the machine scans them. Some branches have tellers who can process a deposit by scanning your debit card instead of reading a slip. If your bank offers these options, you can skip the slip entirely.
Mobile deposit, which you may have arrived here from, also does not use a paper slip. You photograph the check on your phone, and the bank's app handles the rest. But if you are at a branch in person with cash or multiple checks, a paper slip is still the standard way to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to write the routing number or the check number?
It depends on your bank. Look at what the deposit slip form says. Most ask for the routing number (the nine-digit code at the bottom left of the check), but some ask for the check number instead. If the form is not clear, ask the teller before you start filling it out.
What if I do not know my account number?
Bring your debit card, a recent bank statement, or a check from your account. The teller can look up your account number using your ID and tell you what to write. You can also ask the teller to fill in the account number for you if you are unsure.
Can I deposit checks from different banks on the same slip?
Yes. List each check separately with its routing number, and the bank will sort them. Some banks ask you to separate them by bank before you hand them over, so ask the teller first if you are depositing a lot of checks.
What if the teller says my total does not match what I wrote?
Stop and recount together. If you made an arithmetic error, cross out the wrong total and write the correct one. If the teller counted more or less than you did, ask them to show you what they counted so you both agree before the deposit goes through.
Do I need to keep the receipt?
Yes. Keep it until the deposit shows up in your account, which usually takes one to two business days. If there is ever a question about what you deposited, the receipt is your proof.