What goes on a deposit slip and why
A deposit slip is a form you fill out when you deposit cash or checks at a bank teller window. It tells the bank how much money you are putting in, what type of money it is (cash or checks), and which account it should go into. The slip stays with your deposit so the bank has a record of what you handed over.
Even though mobile and check deposit apps have made deposit slips less common, you still need one if you are depositing in person at a teller window. Some banks have moved to digital deposit slips on tablets at the counter, but the information you enter is the same.
The slip protects you because it creates a paper trail. If the bank loses your deposit or there is a dispute about how much you gave them, you have a receipt showing what you submitted.
Key Takeaways
- Write your account number at the top of the slip, and write it clearly so the teller can read it without asking.
- List each check separately with its amount, or write the total if you are depositing multiple checks and your bank allows it.
- Separate cash into bills and coins, write each amount on its own line, and add them together for the cash subtotal.
- The deposit slip total should match the sum of all cash and checks you are handing to the teller.
- Keep your copy of the deposit slip as proof of what you deposited, especially if you do not get a receipt from the teller.
Where to find and get a deposit slip
Deposit slips are usually stacked near the teller windows or at the customer service desk inside your bank branch. They are free. If your bank has run out, ask a teller for one — they can print one or hand you a blank form.
Some banks print your account number on deposit slips in advance, so when you pick one up it already has your name and number. Others give you blank slips and you write the account number yourself. Either way, always double-check that the account number on the slip matches the account you want to deposit into, especially if you have more than one account at that bank.
If you cannot get to a branch, you can also deposit checks using your bank's mobile app or by mailing a check with a deposit slip to the address on the back of the check. Those methods do not require you to fill out a paper slip at a teller window.
How to fill in your account information
At the top of the slip, write or verify your account number. This is the number that identifies which account the money should go into. If the slip is pre-printed with your number, check that it is correct. If it is blank, write your account number clearly in the space provided — messy handwriting can cause the deposit to go into the wrong account.
Write your name on the slip if there is a line for it. Some slips have this field; others do not. If the slip is pre-printed with your name, you do not need to write it again.
Write the date of the deposit. Use the format your bank shows on the slip — usually month, day, and year. This date is when you are making the deposit, not when you want it to post to your account.
Some slips have a line for a transaction ID or reference number. You can leave this blank unless your bank tells you to fill it in for a specific reason.
How to list checks on the deposit slip
Each check gets its own line on the deposit slip. Write the amount of the check in the space provided — this is the number printed in the bottom right corner of the check, not the written-out amount. Write it clearly and include cents if there are any.
Some banks ask you to write the check number next to the amount so they can track which checks were deposited. The check number is printed in the top right corner and also in the bottom left. If your bank's slip has a space for it, write it down; if not, you do not need to.
If you are depositing many checks, your bank may allow you to write only the total of all checks instead of listing each one. The slip will say "checks total" or "total checks" if this is an option. Add up all the check amounts and write the total on that line. If you are unsure whether your bank allows this, ask the teller before you hand over your deposit.
How to list cash on the deposit slip
Cash goes on separate lines from checks. Most deposit slips have lines for bills and coins listed separately. Count your cash before you fill out the slip so you know the exact amounts.
On the bills line, write the total amount of all paper money you are depositing. You do not need to break it down by denomination (twenties, tens, fives, ones) unless your bank asks. Just write the total.
On the coins line, write the total amount of all coins. Again, you do not need to separate pennies from quarters — just the total.
Some slips combine cash into one line instead of two. If your slip has only one cash line, add the bills and coins together and write the combined total.
How to calculate and write the deposit total
Add up all the amounts on the slip: the total of all checks, plus the total bills, plus the total coins. Write this grand total at the bottom of the slip in the line marked "total" or "total deposit."
Before you hand the slip to the teller, count the actual cash and checks you are about to give them and make sure the total on the slip matches what you have in your hand. If the numbers do not match, fix the slip before you submit it. The teller will compare the slip to what you give them, and if they do not match, the teller will ask you to correct it.
If you are depositing a very large amount of cash, the bank may ask you to count it out loud or sign a form confirming the amount. This is standard procedure and protects both you and the bank.
What happens after you hand over the slip
Give the completed slip and your cash and checks to the teller. The teller will count the money, verify that it matches the slip, and process the deposit. Most banks give you a receipt that shows the deposit amount and the date it was processed.
Keep your copy of the deposit slip and the receipt together. If the deposit does not show up in your account within one or two business days, you will have proof of what you deposited. If there is a problem, you can show the bank your receipt and slip.
The money usually appears in your account the same day if you deposit before the bank's cutoff time (often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on weekdays). Deposits made after the cutoff or on weekends may not post until the next business day.
Common mistakes to avoid
Writing the wrong account number is the most costly mistake. If you have multiple accounts, triple-check that the number on the slip matches the account you want to use. If you deposit into the wrong account, contact your bank right away — they can usually move the money, but it takes time.
Forgetting to write the deposit total is another common error. If you leave the total line blank, the teller will ask you to fill it in before processing the deposit. It only takes a moment, but it slows down the line.
Writing illegibly causes problems too. If the teller cannot read your handwriting, they may ask you to rewrite the slip or they may enter the wrong amount. Take a few seconds to write clearly, especially for the account number and the total.
Depositing a check that is not signed or is post-dated (dated in the future) will be rejected. Make sure all checks are signed by the person who wrote them and that the date on the check is today or earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out a deposit slip if I use the ATM?
No. ATMs that accept deposits have their own process — you insert checks or cash directly into the machine, and it scans and counts them for you. You do not fill out a paper slip. The ATM creates a digital record instead.
What if I make a mistake on the deposit slip?
Cross out the mistake with a single line and write the correct information next to it. Do not use white-out or erase. If the slip becomes too messy, ask the teller for a new one and start over. It takes less time than trying to read a corrected slip.
Can I deposit checks that are made out to someone else?
No, not usually. A check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If a check is made out to someone else, that person must sign the back and then you can sign below their signature (this is called a third-party deposit), but many banks no longer allow this. Ask your bank about their policy.
Do I need to list the check number on the deposit slip?
Only if your bank's slip has a space for it and asks you to fill it in. Some banks want the check number for their records; others do not. If the slip does not have a line for it, you do not need to write it.
What if the teller and I disagree on how much I deposited?
The teller's count is the official record. If you believe the teller made an error, ask them to recount in front of you. If you still disagree, ask to speak to a supervisor. Keep your receipt and deposit slip as proof of what you submitted, and contact the bank if the deposit does not match your records within a few days.