What confirming your bank account means and why PayPal requires it
Confirming your bank account with PayPal means proving to PayPal that you own the account you linked. PayPal does this by sending two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account, then asking you to tell PayPal the exact amounts. Once you report those amounts correctly, your account moves from unconfirmed to confirmed, and you unlock higher sending and withdrawal limits.
PayPal requires confirmation because it protects both you and them. If someone else linked your bank account without permission, they would not know the deposit amounts, so they could not complete the confirmation. It also prevents people from linking accounts they do not actually control and then using PayPal to move money through them.
Until your account is confirmed, PayPal limits how much you can send to other people and how much you can withdraw to your bank account each month. The exact limits depend on your account history and activity, but confirmed accounts always have higher ceilings than unconfirmed ones.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account; you log in to PayPal and enter the exact amounts to confirm ownership.
- The deposits usually arrive within three to five business days, though some banks take longer to show pending transactions.
- You can confirm your account through the Resolution Center in your PayPal settings, not through your bank.
- If deposits do not arrive after two weeks, contact PayPal support to request they be resent or try a different bank account.
- Confirmed accounts have higher monthly sending and withdrawal limits than unconfirmed accounts.
How to find the confirmation screen in PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Settings (the gear icon), then select Wallet or Banks and Cards depending on your version. Find the bank account you linked and look for a button or link that says Confirm, Verify, or Confirm Bank Account.
If you do not see a confirmation option next to your bank account, it may already be confirmed. Confirmed accounts show a checkmark or the word "Confirmed" next to the account name. If you see neither a confirmation button nor a checkmark, your account may not have been fully linked yet—go back and complete the linking process first.
On mobile, the path is the same but the layout is compressed. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then Settings, then Wallet. Scroll to find your bank account and tap it to see the confirmation option.
Waiting for the test deposits and how long it takes
After you tell PayPal to confirm your account, it sends two small deposits to your bank account. These deposits are real money—you will see them in your bank account, not just as a pending transaction. Most banks show them within three to five business days, though some take up to seven days or longer depending on how your bank processes ACH transfers.
Check your bank account online or through your bank's app, not just your paper statement. Online banking shows deposits faster than statements do. Look for two separate transactions from PayPal, each under $1. The deposit descriptions usually say something like "PayPal" or "PAYPAL VERIFICATION" followed by a code.
If you do not see the deposits after two weeks, contact PayPal support. They can resend the deposits or, in some cases, offer an alternative confirmation method. Do not wait longer than two weeks—after that, the original deposits may expire and you will need to start over.
Entering the deposit amounts to complete confirmation
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, return to the PayPal confirmation screen. You will see two empty fields asking for the amounts of the two deposits. Enter the exact amounts—for example, if the deposits were $0.23 and $0.17, enter those numbers exactly as they appear in your bank account.
PayPal is strict about this. If you enter $0.23 and $0.71 but the actual deposits were $0.23 and $0.17, the confirmation will fail. Double-check your bank account before you enter anything. Some people screenshot the deposits or write them down first to avoid mistakes.
After you enter both amounts correctly, click Confirm or Verify. PayPal will process your submission immediately. If the amounts match, your account will show as confirmed within seconds, and your sending and withdrawal limits will increase right away.
What to do if the deposits never arrive
If two weeks pass and you still do not see the deposits, the most common cause is that PayPal sent them to the wrong account or your bank rejected them. Log into PayPal and check that the bank account number and routing number are correct in your Wallet settings. A single wrong digit will cause the deposits to bounce back to PayPal.
If the account details are correct, contact PayPal support through the Resolution Center or the Help section of your account. Tell them the deposits have not arrived and ask them to resend them. PayPal can resend the deposits once, and they will give you another two weeks to receive and confirm them.
If the second attempt also fails, PayPal may offer an alternative confirmation method, such as confirming through your bank's website directly or uploading a bank statement. Ask PayPal support what options are available for your situation.
What happens after your account is confirmed
Once confirmation is complete, your PayPal account moves to confirmed status. Your monthly sending limit and withdrawal limit both increase. The exact new limits depend on your account age, transaction history, and whether you have had any disputes or chargebacks, but confirmed accounts always have higher limits than unconfirmed ones.
You can now withdraw money to your bank account more freely and send larger amounts to other PayPal users. If you later link a different bank account, you will need to confirm that one too before you can withdraw to it. Confirming one account does not confirm all accounts—each bank account requires its own confirmation.
Your confirmed status stays in place as long as you keep the account active and do not have disputes or violations. If you remove the bank account from PayPal, you will need to confirm it again if you add it back later.
Confirming a bank account when you cannot access your bank online
If you do not have online access to your bank account, you have a few options. Call your bank's customer service line and ask them to tell you the amounts of the two recent deposits from PayPal. Write down the exact amounts and enter them into PayPal. This works as long as your bank can see the deposits in their system, even if you cannot access them yourself.
Alternatively, visit a branch of your bank in person and ask a teller to print a recent statement or tell you the deposit amounts. Bring your ID and account number. Most banks will do this for free and can usually tell you the amounts over the phone if you call the branch directly.
If your bank is slow to process deposits or you have trouble reaching them, contact PayPal support and explain the situation. They may be able to confirm your account through a different method or give you more time to receive the deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I confirm my bank account on the PayPal app instead of the website?
Yes. The process is the same on both the app and the website. Go to Settings, then Wallet or Banks and Cards, find your bank account, and tap Confirm. You enter the deposit amounts the same way on both platforms.
What if I entered the wrong amounts and confirmation failed?
Go back to your bank account, check the correct amounts, and try again. PayPal usually lets you retry without penalty. If you have tried multiple times and keep failing, contact PayPal support—they can reset your confirmation and let you start over.
Do the test deposits stay in my bank account or does PayPal take them back?
The deposits stay in your bank account. They are real money, and PayPal does not withdraw them after confirmation. You can spend them or leave them there.
How long does confirmation take once I enter the amounts?
Confirmation is instant. As soon as you enter the correct amounts and click Confirm, PayPal processes it and your account status updates immediately. Your new limits take effect right away.
Do I need to confirm my bank account if I only use PayPal to receive money?
No. If you only receive money and never withdraw it to your bank account or send money to others, you do not need to confirm. Confirmation only matters if you want to withdraw funds or send larger amounts. However, confirming does not hurt and gives you the option to do these things later.