What goes on a deposit slip and why it matters

A deposit slip is a paper form that tells your bank what money you are putting into your account and in what form—cash, checks, or both. You fill it out once, attach it to your deposit, and hand it to a teller or put it in an ATM. The slip creates a record that matches your deposit to your account, so the bank knows whose account to credit and how much.

Most deposit slips are printed with your account number already on them. If you are using a blank slip from the bank, you will need to write your account number yourself. Either way, the slip serves as your receipt and the bank's record of the transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • Write your account number on the slip if it is not pre-printed, and sign the back if you are depositing checks.
  • List each check separately by its routing number or the amount, depending on what your bank requires.
  • Add up all checks and all cash separately, then write the total deposit amount on the designated line.
  • Keep your copy of the slip as a record until the deposit appears in your account.
  • If you are depositing by ATM or mobile app, you may not need a slip at all—the machine or app handles the record-keeping.

The sections of a standard deposit slip

A paper deposit slip has five main parts. At the top is your name and account number, either pre-printed or left blank for you to fill in. Below that is a section for checks, with lines numbered 1 through 5 or more, depending on the slip. Each line has a space for the check amount.

Next is a line for cash—bills and coins combined into one total. Below that are lines for subtotal (checks plus cash before any deduction), any amount you want back as cash, and the final deposit total. At the bottom is a signature line; you sign here only if you are depositing checks, because checks require your authorization.

Some banks print the routing number of the check's bank on the left side of each check line. Others ask you to write the amount only. Check your bank's slip or ask a teller which format your bank uses.

How to list checks on the slip

Write the amount of each check on a separate line in the checks section. If your slip shows routing numbers, align each check amount with its routing number. If your slip has blank lines, write the amounts in order from top to bottom, one check per line.

Do not combine multiple checks into one line. The bank needs to see each check listed separately so it can process them individually and track them if one bounces. If you have more checks than lines on the slip, use a second slip or ask the teller for an additional slip.

Write the amount clearly in dollars and cents—for example, $125.50, not 125.5 or 125 50. Use a pen, not pencil, so the ink does not smudge or fade.

Adding cash and calculating your total

If you are depositing cash, count it before you fill out the slip. Add up all bills and coins into one amount and write it on the cash line. For example, if you have three $20 bills, two $10 bills, and $3.75 in coins, write $63.75 on the cash line.

Once you have listed all checks and your cash amount, add them together. Write this sum on the subtotal line. If you want the teller to give you cash back—for example, you are depositing $200 but want $50 back—write $50 on the "less cash received" or "amount to return" line. Subtract that from the subtotal and write the final amount on the total deposit line.

Example: checks total $300, cash is $100, subtotal is $400. You want $50 back. Write $50 on the cash-back line and $350 on the total deposit line.

Signing the slip and handling checks

Sign the back of the slip only if you are depositing checks. The signature authorizes the bank to process the checks on your behalf. If you are depositing cash only, you do not need to sign.

Before you hand over the checks, make sure each one is signed by the person who wrote it and that the amount on the check matches the amount you wrote on the slip. If a check is missing a signature or the amounts do not match, the bank will reject it and return it to you.

If you are depositing a check that is made out to someone else, you will need to ask that person to sign the back of the check (called an endorsement) before you deposit it. Some banks will not accept third-party checks at all, so ask first.

What to do with your copy of the slip

Most deposit slips are printed in duplicate or triplicate. The teller will give you a copy after processing your deposit. Keep this copy until you see the deposit in your account, which usually takes one to two business days for cash and three to five business days for checks.

If a deposit does not show up within the expected timeframe, bring your copy of the slip to the bank and ask them to look up the transaction. The slip shows the date, time, and amount, which helps the bank find the record quickly. Do not throw away your copy until you have confirmed the money arrived.

When you do not need a paper deposit slip

If you are using an ATM to deposit checks, the machine will scan them and create its own record. You do not need to fill out a slip; just follow the on-screen prompts, insert your checks, and the ATM will give you a receipt. Mobile deposit apps work the same way—you photograph the front and back of each check, and the app records the deposit.

For cash deposits at an ATM, some machines accept cash and some do not. Check your bank's website or the machine itself to see what it accepts. If the ATM does not take cash, you will need to go to a teller and use a paper slip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fill out a deposit slip if I am depositing at an ATM?

No. ATMs scan checks and record deposits automatically. You will receive a receipt from the machine instead of a paper slip. For mobile deposit, the app creates the record when you photograph the checks.

What if I make a mistake on the deposit slip?

Cross out the error with a single line, write the correct information next to it, and initial the change. Do not use white-out or erase. If the slip is too messy, ask the teller for a new one and start over.

Can I deposit a check that is made out to my business instead of my personal name?

Only if your business account is set up to receive checks in the business name. If you are depositing into a personal account, the check must be made out to you personally. Ask your bank whether they will accept a check made out to your business name on a personal account.

How long does it take for a deposited check to clear?

Cash deposits show up immediately or within one business day. Checks typically take three to five business days to clear, though some banks offer faster clearing for certain types of checks. Ask your bank about their specific timeline.

What if the teller tells me the check amount does not match what I wrote on the slip?

Stop and check the check itself. If the amount on the check is different from what you wrote, correct the slip before the teller processes it. If the amounts match and the teller is mistaken, ask them to look again or speak to a supervisor.