The fastest way to deposit a check into Chase
You can deposit a check into your Chase checking account in three ways: through the Chase mobile app using mobile check deposit, at an ATM if your account type supports it, or by walking into a Chase branch. Mobile check deposit is the fastest — you photograph both sides of the check and the money usually shows up in your account within one business day. ATM deposit takes the same time but only works if you have a Chase debit card and your account is set up for ATM deposits. In-branch deposits are instant, but you have to go during business hours.
Before you deposit anything, make sure the check is made out to you (or to you and someone else, if you both sign it). The check must have a routing number and account number printed at the bottom. Post-dated checks — checks dated in the future — can be deposited right away; Chase will not hold them until that date.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile check deposit through the Chase app is the fastest method for most people and takes one business day to clear.
- You need a Chase debit card to use ATM deposit, and not all account types support it — call 1-800-935-9935 to confirm yours does.
- Take clear photos of both the front and back of the check, with all four corners visible, or the deposit will be rejected.
- Checks deposited after 9 p.m. ET or on weekends are processed the next business day, not immediately.
How to deposit a check using the Chase mobile app
Open the Chase mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Select "Deposit a check" or look for a deposit option under the account you want to deposit into. The app will ask you to photograph the front of the check, then the back. Hold the check flat, make sure all four corners are visible in the frame, and take the photo in good lighting. The app will show you a preview of both images before you submit.
After you submit, the app will ask you to confirm the amount and the account you want the money to go into. Review this carefully — if the amount is wrong, the deposit will fail. Once you confirm, the check is submitted. You will see a confirmation number on screen. The money usually appears in your account within one business day, though it can take up to two.
After you deposit a check through the app, sign the back of the physical check, write "Mobile Deposit" and today's date on it, and keep it for at least 30 days. Do not deposit the same check again in person or at an ATM. If you lose the physical check before 30 days pass, contact Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to report it.
Depositing a check at a Chase ATM
Not all Chase accounts support ATM deposit, and not all Chase ATMs have deposit capability. Call 1-800-935-9935 or log into your online account to confirm your account type allows it. If it does, insert your Chase debit card into an ATM that has an envelope slot or a check deposit slot (newer machines have a dedicated slot). Select "Deposit" from the menu and choose "Check."
Place the check in the envelope or directly into the slot, depending on the machine. The ATM will scan it and show you the amount it read. Confirm the amount is correct. If the ATM cannot read the check — because the ink is faded, the check is torn, or the numbers are unclear — it will reject it and return it to you. The money appears in your account within one business day, the same as mobile deposit.
Keep your ATM receipt. If the deposit does not show up in your account after two business days, you will need the receipt number to contact Chase and report the missing deposit.
Depositing a check in person at a Chase branch
Walk into any Chase branch during business hours with your check and your debit card or ID. Tell the teller you want to deposit the check into your checking account. The teller will take the check, scan it, and confirm the amount with you. The money is available in your account immediately — you can withdraw it the same day if you need to.
Ask for a receipt showing the deposit amount and the teller's name. If something goes wrong with the deposit later, this receipt is your proof that you handed the check to Chase. Branch hours vary by location; use the Chase branch locator on Chase.com to find the nearest branch and its hours.
Why a check deposit might be rejected or delayed
A check deposit fails most often because the photos are blurry, the check is torn, or the routing and account numbers at the bottom are not visible. If you are using mobile deposit, retake the photos in better light and make sure all four corners of the check are in the frame. If the check itself is damaged, deposit it in person at a branch instead.
A deposit can also be rejected if the check is stale-dated — more than six months old. Banks are not required to cash checks older than that, and Chase will refuse them. If the check is from a business that has closed or a person who has died, the bank may also refuse it. In either case, contact the person or business that issued the check and ask for a replacement.
Deposits submitted after 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or anytime on Saturday or Sunday, are processed the next business day. This does not mean the money is not in your account — it means Chase has not yet confirmed the check cleared at the other bank. Until it clears, the funds may be held and unavailable for withdrawal, even though they show in your balance.
What happens if a deposited check bounces
If the check you deposited does not have enough money behind it at the issuing bank, it will bounce. Chase will reverse the deposit and remove the money from your account, usually three to five business days after the deposit. If you have already spent the money, your account will go negative and you may be charged an overdraft fee.
When a check bounces, Chase will send you a notice (by mail or through your online account, depending on your settings) telling you the check was returned. Contact the person or business that issued the check and ask them to issue a new one or send the money another way. If they refuse, you may need to pursue the debt through small claims court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?
Only if that person signs the back of the check and writes "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. This is called a third-party check. Some banks refuse third-party checks entirely, so call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 before you try to deposit one. If Chase accepts it, you will both need to be present at the branch with ID.
How long does it take for a deposited check to clear?
The money usually shows in your account within one business day, but the check itself can take three to five business days to clear at the issuing bank. Until it clears, Chase may hold the funds and not let you withdraw them, even though the balance shows the deposit. If you need the money immediately, deposit in person at a branch.
What if I deposit the same check twice by accident?
Contact Chase immediately at 1-800-935-9935 and tell them you deposited the same check twice. Chase will reverse one of the deposits. If you do not catch it and the issuing bank notices, they will return the duplicate check as a duplicate item, and Chase will charge you a returned-check fee.
Can I deposit a check from outside the United States?
Chase does not accept foreign checks through mobile deposit or ATM. You must deposit a foreign check in person at a branch. The teller will send it to a correspondent bank for collection, which can take two to four weeks. Chase will charge you a foreign check fee, usually between $15 and $25.
What if the check amount is illegible or the numbers do not match the words?
If the written amount and the numeric amount do not match, the bank is supposed to honor the written amount. However, if the check is unclear, deposit it in person at a branch and let the teller decide whether to accept it. Mobile deposit and ATM deposit may reject it automatically.