The standard fields on a deposit ticket

A deposit ticket (also called a deposit slip) is a form you fill out when you put money into your checking account. The ticket tells the bank where the money goes and how much you are depositing. Most deposit tickets include your account number, the date, the amount of cash and checks you are depositing, and your signature.

The exact layout varies slightly between banks, but the core sections are the same across nearly all of them. Your bank prints deposit tickets with your account information already filled in — the pre-printed ones are the fastest to use. You can also use a blank deposit ticket from the bank's supply, though you will have to write your account number by hand.

Deposit tickets are optional at most banks now. Many people deposit checks through mobile apps or ATMs without ever touching a ticket. But if you are depositing cash, multiple checks, or using a teller, you will likely need one.

Key Takeaways

  • A deposit ticket lists your account number, the deposit date, and the total amount of cash and checks you are putting in.
  • Pre-printed deposit tickets have your name and account number already on them, so you only fill in the amounts and sign.
  • You separate cash from checks on the ticket and list each check's amount on its own line.
  • The ticket serves as your receipt and the bank's record of what you deposited and when.
  • Many banks now let you skip the ticket entirely by using a mobile app, ATM, or remote deposit capture.

Account number and routing information

Your account number appears on the deposit ticket so the bank knows which account to credit. On a pre-printed ticket, this number is already there in the bottom left corner, printed in magnetic ink. If you are using a blank ticket, you write your account number in the box labeled "Account Number" or "Acct #".

The routing number — a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch — is also pre-printed on your tickets. You do not need to write it in yourself. The routing number tells the Federal Reserve and other banks which institution to send the money to if the deposit is processed through the clearing system.

Date, cash, and check amounts

You write the date at the top of the ticket in the space marked "Date". Use the current date or the date you are making the deposit. The bank will not process a deposit with a future date, and a date far in the past may trigger questions.

Below the date, you list the cash amount in the "Cash" or "Currency" line. Write the total of all bills and coins you are depositing. On the next line, you list checks. If you are depositing only one check, write its amount on the "Checks" line. If you are depositing multiple checks, you list each one on its own line with the check amount next to it, then add them up and write the total.

At the bottom of the ticket, you add the cash total and the check total together to get the "Total Deposit" amount. This is the number the teller will verify against what you hand over.

Your signature and the teller's stamp

You sign the deposit ticket in the space marked "Signature" or "Depositor Signature". Your signature confirms that you are authorizing this deposit and that the amounts listed are correct. If someone else is depositing money on your behalf, they may need to sign as well, depending on your bank's rules.

When you hand the ticket and your cash or checks to the teller, they will stamp or write on the ticket to show it was received. This stamped ticket is your receipt. Keep it until the deposit shows up in your account, usually within one business day for cash and one to three business days for checks.

What happens if you make a mistake on the ticket

If you write down the wrong amount or forget to sign, the teller will catch it and ask you to correct it before processing. Do not cross out or use correction fluid on a deposit ticket — the bank's scanning equipment may not read it correctly. Ask the teller for a fresh ticket and start over.

If you deposit the ticket but realize later that you wrote the wrong amount, contact your bank right away. The bank's record of what you actually handed over (the cash and checks themselves) is what matters, not what the ticket says. If you deposited $500 in cash but wrote $400 on the ticket, the bank will credit your account for $500 because that is what they received and counted.

When you do not need a deposit ticket

Many banks now let you deposit checks without a ticket by using their mobile app. You photograph the front and back of the check, and the bank processes it as a remote deposit. This method is faster and you do not have to visit a branch.

ATMs also accept deposits without a ticket. You insert cash or checks into the machine, confirm the amount on the screen, and the transaction is complete. The ATM prints a receipt for you. Some banks charge a small fee for ATM deposits after a certain number per month, so check your account terms.

If you are depositing only cash and no checks, some banks let you skip the ticket entirely and just hand the cash to the teller. They will count it, confirm the amount with you, and give you a receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a deposit ticket if I am depositing at the teller window?

Most banks still ask for one, but it is not always required. Some tellers will process a deposit without a ticket if you tell them the amount and account number. It is faster and clearer to use a ticket, though, because it creates a written record both you and the bank can reference.

What if I do not have a pre-printed deposit ticket?

You can ask the teller for a blank one and fill it out by hand. You will need to write your account number, the date, and the deposit amounts. Blank tickets are available at the teller window or near the ATM. Some banks also let you download and print them from their website.

Can I deposit checks without listing them individually on the ticket?

You can write "See reverse" or "Multiple checks" on the front and list them on the back of the ticket. Or you can list each check amount on its own line on the front. Either way works, as long as the total is correct and matches what you are handing over.

What if the teller and I disagree on the deposit amount?

The bank's count of the actual cash and checks you handed over is the official record. If you deposited $1,200 but the teller counted $1,100, the bank will credit your account for $1,100. Ask the teller to recount in front of you if you think there is an error, or contact the bank the next day with your receipt.

Do I need to keep the deposit ticket after I leave the bank?

Yes, keep the stamped receipt until the deposit appears in your account. If there is a discrepancy, you will have proof of when and how much you deposited. After the transaction clears and you see it in your online banking, you can discard the receipt.