PayPal asks you to confirm your bank account by making two small deposits
PayPal deposits two amounts under $1 each into your bank account, usually within one to two business days. You then log into PayPal, navigate to your wallet or bank settings, and enter those two amounts. Once PayPal sees that you received them and entered the correct figures, your account is confirmed.
This process proves you own the bank account and can receive money there. Until you confirm, PayPal limits how much you can send and receive, and you cannot withdraw funds to that account. The confirmation itself is free and takes about five minutes once the deposits arrive.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two deposits under $1 each to your bank account; you must wait for them to appear before you can confirm.
- Log into PayPal, go to Wallet or Bank Accounts, and enter the exact amounts PayPal deposited to complete confirmation.
- Confirmation usually takes one to two business days from when you link the account, though some banks take longer to show deposits.
- If deposits do not arrive within five business days, contact PayPal support to request they be resent or use an alternative confirmation method.
- Once confirmed, you can withdraw money to that account and send higher amounts through PayPal without restriction.
Step-by-step: linking and confirming your bank account
Start by logging into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. Go to your account settings—usually found under your profile icon or a menu labeled "Account" or "Settings." Look for a section called "Wallet," "Bank Accounts," or "Linked Banks." Click the option to add a new bank account.
Enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). PayPal will ask you to confirm the bank name and your name on the account. Double-check these details before submitting, because errors here delay the deposit.
After you submit, PayPal tells you it will send two small deposits. Check your bank account starting the next business day. The deposits usually show up within one to two business days, though some banks take longer. The amounts are random and typically between $0.01 and $0.99 each.
Once both deposits appear in your bank account, return to PayPal. Go back to your bank account settings and select the account you linked. PayPal will prompt you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type them in exactly as they appear in your bank statement, then click confirm. PayPal verifies the amounts match and your account is confirmed.
Why PayPal uses this method and what it protects
The two-deposit method is a standard verification used by financial companies because it proves you have access to the account. Someone could type in a bank account number by accident or on purpose, but only the actual account owner receives the deposits. PayPal uses this as proof.
Confirming your bank account also protects PayPal and other users. It reduces fraud because a confirmed account is harder to use for money laundering or chargebacks. For you, it means you can withdraw money without restriction and send higher amounts to other PayPal users.
What to do if the deposits do not arrive
If five business days have passed and you have not seen the two deposits, log into your bank account and search your transaction history for any deposits from PayPal. Sometimes they appear under a different name or in a pending section. Check both your checking and savings account if you linked one and are unsure which received the deposits.
If the deposits truly do not appear, contact PayPal support through the Help Center. Go to "Contact Us," select "Wallet and Money," and choose "Bank Account Issues." Tell PayPal the date you linked the account and ask them to resend the deposits or confirm the account using an alternative method. PayPal can sometimes confirm accounts by asking security questions instead.
Some banks delay small deposits or filter them as spam. Call your bank's customer service line and ask if they received any deposits from PayPal in the last week. If your bank blocks them, ask what you need to do to allow them through. Then request that PayPal resend the deposits.
Alternative confirmation methods if deposits fail
If the two-deposit method does not work after multiple attempts, PayPal offers other ways to confirm your bank account. One option is instant verification using your online banking login. PayPal can connect securely to your bank and verify the account in real time without waiting for deposits.
To use instant verification, go to your bank account settings in PayPal and look for an option like "Verify Instantly" or "Connect Your Bank." PayPal will redirect you to your bank's login page. Log in there, and PayPal confirms your account immediately. You do not enter your password into PayPal itself—your bank handles the verification.
If instant verification is not available for your bank, PayPal support can sometimes confirm your account manually. They may ask you to provide a bank statement or other proof that you own the account. This takes longer but works when the automated methods do not.
Limits before and after confirmation
Before you confirm your bank account, PayPal restricts how much you can send and receive. You can usually send up to $500 per transaction and receive money, but you cannot withdraw funds to an unconfirmed bank account. This means money sits in your PayPal balance until you confirm.
Once confirmed, most restrictions lift. You can withdraw any amount to your bank account, and sending limits increase significantly—often to thousands of dollars per transaction, depending on your account history and PayPal's assessment of your account. Confirmed accounts also have lower fees on certain transactions.
How long confirmation takes and what happens during that time
The entire process usually takes three to five business days from the moment you link your bank account. One to two days for deposits to arrive, then a few minutes to enter the amounts and confirm. If your bank is slow or if you do not check your account daily, it can stretch to a week.
While you wait for confirmation, your PayPal account is still usable. You can receive money, send money up to your limit, and make purchases. You just cannot withdraw to the bank account you are confirming. If you need to withdraw money urgently, use a different confirmed bank account or a PayPal debit card if you have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I confirm a bank account that is not in my name?
No. PayPal requires the bank account to be registered in the same name as your PayPal account. If the names do not match, PayPal will reject the account during linking or after confirmation fails. You must use an account in your own name.
What if I entered the deposit amounts wrong?
PayPal will tell you the amounts are incorrect and let you try again. You have multiple attempts to enter the correct figures. If you cannot find the deposits in your bank statement, contact PayPal support and ask them to resend them or use an alternative confirmation method.
Do I have to confirm my bank account to use PayPal?
No, but you cannot withdraw money to an unconfirmed account. You can still receive payments and send money up to your limit. Most users confirm because they want to move money out of PayPal into their bank account without restriction.
Can I confirm multiple bank accounts?
Yes. You can link and confirm as many bank accounts as you want. Each one goes through the same two-deposit process. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want a backup account for withdrawals.
What happens if I close the bank account after confirming it?
PayPal will not know immediately, but the next time you try to withdraw money, the transfer will fail and bounce back to your PayPal balance. Update your PayPal account with a new bank account or contact PayPal support to remove the closed account and avoid future failed transfers.