Yes, you can mail a check to Chase, but it takes longer than mobile deposit
Chase accepts mailed checks for deposit into your checking account. You write the check amount and account information on the back of the check, put it in an envelope with a deposit slip (or a note with your account number), and mail it to your local Chase branch or the address Chase provides. The check will clear within 5 to 7 business days after Chase receives it, sometimes longer depending on the check amount and your account history.
Mailing a check is slower than using Chase's mobile app to photograph the check, which typically clears in 1 to 2 business days. It is also riskier — a mailed check can be lost, delayed, or stolen. For these reasons, Chase and most banks now push customers toward mobile deposit or in-person deposit at a branch or ATM.
Key Takeaways
- Write your account number and "for deposit only" on the back of the check before mailing it to Chase.
- Mail the check to your local Chase branch address or call Chase to ask for the correct mailing address for deposits.
- Expect the deposit to clear 5 to 7 business days after Chase receives the check, not after you mail it.
- Mobile deposit through the Chase app is faster (1 to 2 business days) and safer than mailing a physical check.
- Large checks or checks from new accounts may take longer to clear, and Chase may hold the funds while verifying the check.
How to prepare a check for mailing to Chase
On the back of the check, write your Chase account number and sign your name below it. Write "for deposit only" above your signature. This prevents anyone else from cashing the check if it is lost in the mail.
Include a deposit slip if you have one — Chase provides these at branches or you can order them online. If you do not have a deposit slip, write a note with your name, account number, and the check amount. Put the check and the slip or note in an envelope and seal it.
Do not send cash by mail. Do not send multiple checks in one envelope unless you list each one on the deposit slip or note. If you are depositing a check from someone else's account, Chase may require you to have that person sign the back as well.
Where to mail the check and how long it takes
Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or log into your Chase account online to find the mailing address for your local branch. Some branches have a separate address for mail deposits. Using the wrong address delays the deposit.
Mail the check using regular first-class mail or a tracked service like certified mail. First-class mail typically takes 2 to 5 business days to reach Chase, depending on distance. Once Chase receives the check, it takes another 5 to 7 business days to clear — so the total time is often 7 to 12 business days from the day you mail it.
If you need the money sooner, deposit the check in person at a Chase branch or ATM, or use mobile deposit through the Chase app. In-person deposits at a branch usually clear the next business day.
Holds and delays on mailed checks
Chase may place a hold on a mailed check if the amount is large, if your account is new, or if the check is from an unfamiliar bank. A hold means the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it yet. Holds typically last 1 to 5 business days after the check clears.
If Chase suspects the check is fraudulent or if there is a problem with the check itself (a missing signature, illegible writing, or a post-dated check), Chase will contact you and may return the check to the sender. This can take 10 to 15 business days.
You can ask Chase to remove a hold early by calling 1-800-935-9935, but the bank is not required to do so. Providing proof that you know the check writer or that the check is legitimate may help.
Risks of mailing a check versus other deposit methods
A mailed check can be lost, stolen, or delayed by the postal service. If the check is lost, you have to contact the person who wrote it and ask them to stop payment and issue a new check — a process that can take weeks. If the check is stolen and someone deposits it fraudulently, you may not notice until the money is gone.
Chase's mobile deposit app lets you photograph the front and back of the check and deposit it in seconds. The check clears in 1 to 2 business days for most accounts. This is faster and safer than mailing because you keep the physical check and have a record of the deposit in your app.
Depositing a check in person at a Chase branch or ATM is also faster than mailing. Branch deposits usually clear the next business day. ATM deposits may take 1 to 2 business days. Both methods eliminate the risk of the check being lost in the mail.
What to do if your mailed check does not arrive or clear
If you mailed a check more than 2 weeks ago and it has not cleared, contact Chase at 1-800-935-9935. Have your account number and the check amount ready. Chase can search its records to see if the check was received and processed.
If Chase has no record of the check, the postal service may have lost it. Ask the person who wrote the check to stop payment on it (this costs $25 to $35 at most banks) and issue a new check. Keep the receipt for the stop payment request in case there is a dispute later.
If Chase received the check but it has not cleared after 10 business days, call again and ask why. Chase will tell you if there is a hold, if the check is being investigated, or if there is a problem with the check itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mail a check to Chase if I do not have a deposit slip?
Yes. Write a note with your name, account number, and the check amount, and include it with the check. Chase will process the deposit using the account number on the note. A deposit slip is helpful but not required.
How long does it take for a mailed check to clear?
Mailing takes 2 to 5 business days, and clearing takes another 5 to 7 business days after Chase receives it. Total time is usually 7 to 12 business days from the day you mail it. Mobile deposit is much faster — 1 to 2 business days.
What if I mail a check and Chase puts a hold on it?
A hold means the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it yet. Holds usually last 1 to 5 business days. You can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask them to remove the hold early, but they are not required to do so.
Is it safe to mail a check to Chase?
Mailing is less safe than mobile deposit or in-person deposit because the check can be lost or stolen. Write "for deposit only" and your account number on the back to reduce the risk. If the check is lost, contact the sender and ask them to stop payment and issue a new check.
Can I mail a check to Chase if my account is brand new?
Yes, but Chase may place a longer hold on the check while verifying your account. New accounts sometimes have holds of 5 to 10 business days. Depositing in person at a branch may clear faster because a teller can verify your identity right away.