The fastest way depends on whether you use mobile deposit or go to a branch

You can deposit a check three ways: through your bank's mobile app (usually the fastest), at an ATM if your bank offers it, or by walking into a branch. Mobile deposit takes a photo of the front and back of the check and posts the money within one to two business days. ATM deposit works the same way but requires you to be at a machine your bank owns. A branch deposit is instant if you hand it to a teller, but you have to go in person during business hours.

The check must be made out to you, and you need to sign the back before depositing it. Your bank will tell you exactly where to sign and what to write. The amount has to match what's written in words and numbers, and the check cannot be post-dated (written for a future date) or stale-dated (more than six months old). If any of these things are wrong, the bank will reject it.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile deposit through your bank's app is the fastest option for most people and takes one to two business days to clear.
  • You must endorse the check by signing the back before depositing it, and the check must be made out to you.
  • The check cannot be post-dated, stale-dated, or altered, or your bank will reject it.
  • If you deposit a check and the account it was drawn from has no funds, the check will bounce and you may face a fee.
  • Some banks hold large checks for longer than small ones, and the hold period depends on the bank's policy and the check amount.

How to use mobile deposit

Open your bank's mobile app and look for "Mobile Deposit," "Deposit Check," or a camera icon. Tap it and follow the prompts. You will be asked to take two photos: one of the front of the check and one of the back. Make sure the entire check is visible in the frame, the image is in focus, and the lighting is good enough to read all the numbers and text. If the photo is blurry or cut off, the app will reject it.

After you take the photos, the app will show you what it read from the check: the routing number, account number, amount, and date. Review this information carefully. If it is wrong, delete the deposit and take new photos. Once you confirm the information is correct, enter the amount you are depositing (the app usually fills this in automatically) and tap "Deposit" or "Submit."

The app will give you a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. The money will appear in your account as "pending" within a few hours, and it will be available to use within one to two business days. Do not spend the money until it shows as "posted" or "cleared," because if the check bounces, the bank will pull the money back out and may charge you a fee.

Signing the back of the check

The back of the check has a white area near the top edge. This is where you sign. Write your name in cursive or print, depending on what your bank asks for. Most banks ask you to sign in black or blue ink. Some banks also ask you to write "For Mobile Deposit Only" or "For Deposit Only" above your signature. Check your bank's app or website to see what it requires before you sign.

Do not sign the check until you are ready to deposit it. Once you sign it, anyone who has the check can deposit it into their own account. If you lose a signed check, call your bank right away and tell them the check number, amount, and date. They can flag it in the system so it cannot be deposited by someone else.

What happens if the check bounces

A check bounces when the account it was drawn from does not have enough money to cover it. When this happens, your bank will remove the money from your account, and you will owe your bank the full amount of the check. Your bank may also charge you a returned-check fee, which ranges from $15 to $35 depending on the bank. The person or business that wrote the check may also charge you a fee for the bounced check.

If you deposit a check and it bounces, your bank will notify you by email, text, or letter. The notification will tell you the check number, amount, and the date the check was returned. You should contact the person or business that wrote the check and ask them to write you a new one or send you the money another way. If they refuse, you may have to take them to small claims court to recover the money.

Check holds and when the money is available

Your bank may place a hold on a check, which means the money will not be available to use right away even though it shows as pending in your account. The hold period depends on your bank's policy, the amount of the check, and where the check was drawn from. A check from another bank in your area may clear in one business day. A check from a bank in another state or a check for a large amount may take three to five business days.

During the hold period, the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it or use it to pay bills. If you try to spend money that is on hold and the check later bounces, your bank may charge you an overdraft fee in addition to the returned-check fee. To avoid this, wait until the money shows as "posted" or "cleared" before you spend it.

If you need the money sooner, you can ask your bank to release the hold early. Some banks will do this if you have a good account history or if the check is from a trusted source. Call your bank's customer service line and explain the situation. They may be able to release the hold the same day, but there is no may provide.

Depositing a check at an ATM

Not all banks offer ATM check deposit, so check your bank's website or app first to see if your ATM has this feature. If it does, insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" or "Deposit Check" from the menu. The ATM will ask you to insert the check into a slot. Make sure the check is facing the right direction (your bank's instructions will show you which way). The ATM will scan the check and ask you to confirm the amount. If the amount is correct, press "Yes" and the ATM will take the check.

The money will appear in your account within one to two business days, just like mobile deposit. Keep your receipt in case there is a problem with the deposit. If the ATM rejects the check, it will return it to you. This usually happens if the check is damaged, the image is not clear, or the check has already been deposited.

Depositing a check at a branch

Walk into your bank during business hours with the signed check and your debit card or ID. Tell the teller you want to deposit the check. Hand them the check and tell them which account you want to deposit it into. The teller will scan the check, confirm the amount with you, and give you a receipt. The money will be available in your account immediately, though it may take one business day to fully clear.

If you do not have time to go to a branch, you can mail the check to your bank. Write your account number on the back of the check below your signature, put it in an envelope with a deposit slip (you can print one from your bank's website or ask for one at a branch), and mail it to the address on your bank's website. The check will take several days to arrive, and then one to two business days to clear, so mailing is the slowest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?

No. A check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If a check is made out to someone else, they must sign the back and deposit it themselves. Some banks allow third-party deposits (where the original payee signs the back and you sign below them), but many banks no longer accept them due to fraud risk. Call your bank to ask.

What if I deposit the same check twice by accident?

Your bank will catch it and reject the second deposit. The check will show up in the system as already deposited, and the app or ATM will refuse to process it. If you are not sure whether you already deposited a check, log into your account and search for it by amount and date. If it is there, do not deposit it again.

How long does a check hold last?

Most checks clear within one to two business days. Larger checks or checks from out-of-state banks may take three to five business days. Your bank will tell you the expected clear date when you deposit the check. If the hold lasts longer than five business days, call your bank and ask why.

Can I deposit a check if the amount in words does not match the amount in numbers?

No. If the written amount and the numerical amount do not match, the check is invalid and your bank will reject it. Contact the person or business that wrote the check and ask them to write a new one with the correct amounts.

What should I do with the check after I deposit it?

Keep it for at least 30 days in case there is a problem with the deposit. After 30 days, you can shred it or destroy it. Do not throw it away where someone else can find it, because they could try to deposit it again.