You can change your checking account with OPM by submitting a new Direct Deposit Authorization Form (SF 1199A) through your agency's payroll office or the Employee Express system

OPM does not handle your paycheck directly — your federal agency does. To change where your pay goes, you work with your agency's payroll or human resources department, not OPM. The process takes about two pay periods from the date your agency processes the form, so plan ahead if you are switching banks or closing an account.

You have two main routes: submit a paper form to your payroll office, or use Employee Express (the federal government's online payroll system) if your agency participates. Employee Express is faster and leaves a record you can access anytime. A paper form works if your agency does not use the online system, but it requires a trip to your payroll office and takes longer to process.

Key Takeaways

  • Your agency's payroll office processes account changes, not OPM — contact your HR or payroll department first to find out which method they use.
  • The SF 1199A form is the official document for changing direct deposit, and you can submit it on paper or through Employee Express if your agency offers it.
  • Changes typically take effect within two pay periods, so submit the form at least three weeks before you need the new account active.
  • You will need your new bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a blank check or by calling your bank.
  • If you submit a form and your pay does not arrive on time, contact your payroll office immediately — do not wait until payday.

Getting the SF 1199A form from your agency

Start by contacting your agency's payroll office or HR department. They will either give you a paper SF 1199A form or direct you to Employee Express. Do not download the form from the internet — your agency may have a version with your employee information already filled in, which saves time and reduces errors.

If your agency uses Employee Express, you can log in with your username and password and update your direct deposit information yourself without printing anything. If your agency does not use Employee Express, ask payroll whether they accept the form by email, in person, or by mail. Some agencies have their own internal systems, so confirm the method before you fill anything out.

What information you need before you start

Gather your new bank's routing number and your account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank; the account number is unique to your account. You can find both on a blank check — the routing number is the first set of numbers on the bottom left, and the account number follows it. If you do not have checks, call your bank and ask for both numbers, or log into your online banking and look for direct deposit information.

You will also need to know whether the account is checking or savings. Most federal employees use checking accounts, but some use savings accounts for direct deposit. Confirm with your bank if you are unsure. Write down the account type, routing number, and account number before you sit down with the form or log into Employee Express — this prevents mistakes that delay your pay.

Submitting through Employee Express

If your agency uses Employee Express, log in at www.employeeexpress.gov with your username and password. Click on the "Pay" or "Payroll" section, then look for "Direct Deposit" or "Banking Information." The exact wording varies by agency, but the section is usually near the top of the payroll menu.

Enter your new routing number and account number in the fields provided. Employee Express will ask you to confirm the information twice to catch typos. Once you submit, you will see a confirmation message on screen. Take a screenshot or print the confirmation page for your records. The change usually takes effect within one to two pay periods, though some agencies process it faster.

Submitting a paper SF 1199A form

Fill out the form completely. Section 1 asks for your name, Social Security number, and agency information — most of this may already be printed. Section 2 is where you enter your new bank's routing number and account number. Write clearly and double-check the numbers; a single digit wrong sends your pay to the wrong account.

Sign and date the form. Some agencies require a witness signature or a notary stamp; ask your payroll office before you sign. Submit the form to your payroll office in person if possible — this gives you a dated receipt and confirmation that they received it. If you mail it, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy for yourself.

What happens after you submit

Your payroll office will process the form and update their system. This usually takes three to five business days. Your next paycheck will go to your old account; the change takes effect on the pay period after that. If your agency processes payroll weekly, that means two paychecks to your old account. If they process biweekly, it could be three weeks before your pay hits the new account.

Do not close your old account until you see your pay arrive in the new one. If something goes wrong — your pay does not show up, or it goes to the wrong account — contact your payroll office immediately. They can stop a deposit and reroute it, but only if you catch the problem quickly. After payday passes, reversing a misdirected deposit takes much longer.

Fixing a mistake on your direct deposit form

If you realize you entered the wrong routing number or account number after you submitted the form, contact your payroll office right away. If they have not yet processed it, they can destroy the old form and accept a corrected one. If they have already processed it, you will need to submit a new SF 1199A with the correct information, and your next change will take another pay period or two to take effect.

If your pay goes to the wrong account because of an error on the form, your payroll office can request that the receiving bank return the funds. This process is called a reversal, and it usually takes five to ten business days. In the meantime, contact your old bank and ask them to hold the deposit if it arrives there by mistake. Do not assume the money is lost — federal payroll reversals are routine, and banks know how to handle them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my account more than once a year?

Yes, you can change your direct deposit as many times as you need to. There is no limit on how often you can submit a new form. However, each change takes one to two pay periods to process, so avoid making changes too close together unless necessary.

What if I do not know my new bank's routing number?

Call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number. You can also find it on your bank's website under direct deposit or wire transfer information. Some banks list it as the "ABA number." Do not guess — a wrong routing number sends your pay somewhere you cannot access it.

Do I need to notify OPM when I change my account?

No. OPM does not manage your direct deposit. Your agency's payroll office handles it entirely. Once you submit the form to your agency, the process is complete on your end.

What if my agency does not use Employee Express?

Ask your payroll office how they accept direct deposit changes. Some agencies use their own internal systems, others accept paper forms only, and a few still use older methods. Your payroll office will tell you the exact process for your agency.

How long does it take for a change to show up in my paycheck?

Most changes take effect within one to two pay periods from the date your payroll office processes the form. If your agency processes payroll weekly, that is two to four weeks. If they process biweekly, it could be three to four weeks. Submit the form at least three weeks before you need the new account active.