What verification means and why PayPal requires it
Verifying a bank account on PayPal means proving to PayPal that you own the account and that the routing and account numbers you entered are correct. PayPal does this by depositing two small amounts—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—into your bank account a few days after you link it. You then log into PayPal, enter those two amounts, and PayPal confirms the account is yours.
PayPal requires verification before you can transfer money out of your PayPal balance to your bank account, or before you can use your bank account as a funding source for payments. Without verification, your bank account sits in a "pending" state and cannot move money in either direction.
The verification process protects both you and PayPal. It prevents someone from linking a bank account that does not belong to them, and it confirms that your routing and account numbers are entered correctly so transfers do not bounce or land in the wrong place.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal deposits two small test amounts into your bank account within 1 to 3 business days of linking it, and you must enter those amounts in PayPal to complete verification.
- Check your bank account online or through your bank's app to find the deposit amounts, since they appear as small credits from PayPal.
- You have up to 120 days from the date you link your account to enter the verification amounts; after that, PayPal removes the account and you must start over.
- If the deposits do not arrive within 3 business days, contact your bank to confirm the routing and account numbers are correct, then contact PayPal if the issue persists.
- Once verified, your bank account remains linked to PayPal and you can transfer money without re-verifying, unless you change the account number or routing number.
How to link your bank account before verification begins
Log into your PayPal account and go to Wallet (or Account Settings on older versions). Select Link a bank account or Add a bank account. PayPal will ask you to enter your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank's location and is printed on the bottom left of your checks. Your account number is printed on the bottom of your checks as well, after the routing number. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information—both numbers are listed there.
After you enter these details and click Link Bank Account, PayPal will tell you that verification is pending and that two small deposits will arrive within 1 to 3 business days. Your bank account will show as "pending" in your PayPal wallet until you complete the next step.
Finding the verification amounts in your bank account
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look at your recent transactions or deposits. Within 1 to 3 business days of linking your account to PayPal, you should see two separate deposits from PayPal, each between $0.01 and $0.99. The deposits may appear as "PAYPAL" or "PAYPAL INC" in the description, or they may show a reference number.
Write down both amounts exactly as they appear. For example, if the deposits are $0.23 and $0.17, write those down precisely. Do not round or estimate—PayPal will reject the verification if the amounts do not match exactly.
If you do not see the deposits after 3 business days, wait one more day (banks sometimes process deposits on different schedules). If they still do not appear after 4 business days, your routing or account number may be incorrect, or your bank may have blocked the deposits. Contact your bank's customer service and confirm that the routing and account numbers you provided to PayPal are correct. If they are wrong, you will need to remove the account from PayPal and link it again with the correct numbers.
Entering the amounts to complete verification
Once you have found both deposit amounts in your bank account, return to PayPal. Go to Wallet and find your pending bank account. Click on it or select Confirm next to the account name. PayPal will display two fields asking you to enter the first and second deposit amounts.
Type the amounts in the order PayPal asks for them. If the first deposit was $0.23 and the second was $0.17, enter $0.23 in the first field and $0.17 in the second. Do not include dollar signs or extra zeros. Click Confirm or Verify.
PayPal will process your entry within seconds. If the amounts match, you will see a confirmation message and your bank account will change from "pending" to "verified." You can now transfer money from your PayPal balance to this bank account, or use it as a funding source for payments.
What to do if verification fails or times out
If you enter the amounts and PayPal says they do not match, you likely typed them incorrectly. Go back to your bank account and double-check the exact amounts of both deposits. Common mistakes include entering $0.23 as $0.23 when it should be $0.23, or swapping the order of the two amounts. Try again with the correct amounts.
If you enter the amounts multiple times and they keep failing, your bank account may have received different deposits than what you are seeing, or the deposits may not have arrived at all. Remove the account from PayPal and contact your bank to confirm your routing and account numbers are correct. Then link the account again and wait for new deposits to arrive.
If you do not enter the verification amounts within 120 days of linking your account, PayPal will automatically remove the account from your wallet. You will need to link it again from the beginning. This does not affect your PayPal account or balance—it only means you cannot use that bank account until you re-link and re-verify it.
Verifying a different bank account or updating an existing one
If you want to add a second bank account to PayPal, repeat the linking and verification process for the new account. PayPal will send new test deposits to the new account, and you will enter those amounts to verify it. You can have multiple verified bank accounts linked to one PayPal account.
If you need to change the routing or account number for an existing verified account—for example, because you switched banks or opened a new account—you cannot edit the existing account. Instead, remove the old account from your wallet and link the new one. PayPal will send new test deposits, and you will verify the new account the same way.
If you simply want to remove a bank account without adding a new one, go to Wallet, click on the account, and select Remove or Unlink. The account will be deleted from PayPal immediately, and you will not be able to transfer money to it anymore.
How long transfers take after verification
Once your bank account is verified, transfers from your PayPal balance to your bank account typically take 1 to 3 business days, depending on your bank. Some banks process transfers faster; others take the full 3 days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday.
The time also depends on whether you have a standard transfer or an instant transfer. Standard transfers are free and take 1 to 3 business days. Instant transfers (available in some regions and account types) move money within minutes but charge a small fee, usually $0.25 to $2.00 depending on the amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my PayPal account before my bank account is verified?
Yes. You can receive money into your PayPal balance, make purchases, and send money to other PayPal users before verification is complete. You just cannot transfer money out to your bank account or use your bank account as a funding source for payments until verification is done.
What if I entered the wrong routing or account number?
The test deposits will go to the wrong bank account or will not arrive at all. Remove the account from PayPal, confirm the correct numbers with your bank, and link the account again. PayPal will send new test deposits to the correct account.
Do I have to verify every time I transfer money?
No. Once your bank account is verified, it stays verified. You can transfer money to it as many times as you want without re-entering the test amounts. Verification only happens once per bank account.
What happens if I close the bank account that is linked to PayPal?
Your PayPal account will not be affected, but you will not be able to transfer money to that account anymore. If you open a new account at the same bank, you will need to link and verify the new account number in PayPal.
Can someone else verify a bank account on my PayPal account?
No. Only the person who owns the PayPal account can access the wallet and enter verification amounts. However, if someone has your PayPal login credentials, they could link a bank account and verify it. Keep your password secure and enable two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access.