The fastest way to confirm your bank account
PayPal confirms your bank account by sending two small deposits to it—usually $0.01 and $0.02—and asking you to enter those amounts back into PayPal. This takes three to five business days from when you first link the account. Once you enter both amounts correctly, your account moves from "unconfirmed" to "confirmed," and you can withdraw money to that bank account without limits.
The confirmation step is separate from linking. Linking happens instantly when you give PayPal your routing and account number. Confirmation happens after the deposits land in your bank account and you report the amounts back to PayPal. Until you confirm, PayPal will let you receive money and make purchases, but withdrawal limits may apply depending on your account history and activity.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two micro-deposits (totaling $0.03) to your bank account; you confirm by entering those amounts in your PayPal account within 60 days.
- The deposits typically arrive within three to five business days, but timing depends on your bank's processing speed.
- You can check your bank account online or through your bank's app to see the deposit amounts—they will show a PayPal reference in the description.
- If you do not confirm within 60 days, the deposits are returned to PayPal and you must start the process over.
- Confirming your bank account removes withdrawal limits and unlocks the full range of PayPal features for moving money out.
Where to find the confirmation screen in PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Wallet (or Account on older versions), then select Banks and Cards or Linked Banks. Find the bank account you just added—it will show a status like "Pending confirmation" or "Unconfirmed." Click on that account.
PayPal will show you a message saying the micro-deposits have been sent or are on their way. It will also give you a field where you can enter the two amounts. Do not enter anything yet—wait until the deposits actually show up in your bank account, which usually takes three to five business days. Entering amounts before the deposits arrive will cause an error.
How to find the deposit amounts in your bank account
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look at your checking or savings account activity. The two PayPal deposits will appear as separate transactions, usually within a day or two of each other. The description will typically say something like "PayPal Confirmation" or "PAYPAL MICRO DEPOSIT" followed by a reference number.
Write down both amounts exactly as they appear. Common amounts are $0.01 and $0.02, but the exact cents may vary. Some banks show deposits with a delay—if you do not see them after five business days, contact your bank to confirm they arrived. If your bank lost the deposits or they never landed, you can ask PayPal to resend them from the confirmation screen.
Entering the amounts and completing confirmation
Return to the PayPal confirmation screen where you saw the "Pending confirmation" status. Enter the first micro-deposit amount in the first field and the second amount in the second field. The order does not matter—PayPal will accept them in either sequence. Click Confirm or Verify (the button label varies by version).
PayPal will process your entry immediately. If the amounts match, your account status will change to "Confirmed" within seconds, and you will see a success message. If the amounts do not match, PayPal will tell you how many attempts you have left—you typically get three tries before the deposits expire and you must request new ones.
What to do if the deposits do not arrive
If five business days have passed and you still do not see the deposits in your bank account, first check that you linked the correct account number and routing number. Log back into PayPal, go to your bank account details, and verify the account information matches what your bank shows. A single digit wrong will send the deposits to the wrong account.
If the account information is correct, contact your bank's customer service and ask whether the PayPal micro-deposits arrived. Some banks hold small deposits or flag them as suspicious. If your bank received them, ask them to release the funds to your account. If your bank says the deposits never arrived, return to PayPal and click Resend Deposits or Request New Deposits on the confirmation screen. PayPal will send a new pair of micro-deposits, and you will wait another three to five business days.
Confirmation limits and what happens after
You have 60 days from the date PayPal sends the deposits to enter the amounts and confirm. If you do not confirm within 60 days, the deposits are returned to PayPal and the confirmation process expires. You will need to start over by requesting new deposits. There is no penalty for letting it expire—you simply have to wait another three to five days for the new deposits to arrive.
Once your bank account is confirmed, you can withdraw money to it without limits (subject to your PayPal account history and any holds PayPal may place for security reasons). Confirmed accounts also unlock features like setting up automatic transfers and linking the account to other services. If you later remove the bank account from PayPal and want to add it again, you will need to confirm it a second time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I confirm my bank account on the PayPal mobile app?
Yes. Open the app, go to Wallet or Account, select Banks and Cards, tap your unconfirmed account, and enter the two micro-deposit amounts in the fields provided. The process is identical to the website version.
What if I entered the wrong amounts and used up all my attempts?
Contact PayPal customer service through the Help Center. Explain that you entered incorrect amounts and ask them to reset your attempts or send new deposits. They can usually do this without requiring you to wait another 60 days, though response time varies.
Do I have to confirm my bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can receive payments, make purchases, and hold money in your PayPal balance without confirming a bank account. Confirmation is only required if you want to withdraw money directly to that bank account without limits or set up automatic transfers.
Why does PayPal send two deposits instead of one?
The two-deposit method is a security standard that proves you own the bank account. By requiring you to report back the exact amounts, PayPal confirms you have access to that account's statements. A single deposit could be guessed; two random amounts cannot.
How long does it take to withdraw money after I confirm?
Once confirmation is complete, withdrawals to your confirmed bank account typically take one to three business days, depending on your bank. PayPal initiates the transfer immediately, but your bank controls how fast the money lands in your account.