Most banks will reject a check that is torn, water-damaged, or missing a corner, but the decision depends on how much damage there is and whether the bank can still read the routing number, account number, and amount.
A check is a legal document with specific printed information: the routing number (bottom left), account number (bottom center), and check number (top right). If damage obscures any of these, the bank's sorting machines cannot process it. Even if a human teller can read the check, the bank may refuse it because the automated system will reject it downstream, creating delays and potential bounces.
The Federal Reserve and individual banks set their own standards for what counts as acceptable damage. Some banks are stricter than others. A small tear in a corner might pass; a check that is wet, faded, or missing a section with critical numbers will not.
Key Takeaways
- Banks use automated machines to read routing numbers, account numbers, and amounts, so any damage that obscures these details will cause rejection.
- A check that is torn, creased, or water-damaged may be rejected even if a person can still read it, because the sorting equipment cannot.
- If your check is damaged, ask the person who wrote it to issue a replacement check rather than trying to deposit the damaged one.
- Some banks will attempt to process a slightly damaged check and contact you if it fails, but this creates delays and risks a bounce.
- Checks that are missing a corner or have ink that has run are almost always rejected at the first sorting stage.
What happens when you deposit a damaged check
When you deposit a check at an ATM or mobile app, the machine scans it and reads the numbers printed in magnetic ink at the bottom. If the scan fails or the numbers are unclear, the check is flagged and sent to a human reviewer. The reviewer decides whether to send it back to you, return it to the issuing bank, or attempt manual processing.
If you deposit a damaged check at a teller window, the teller may spot the damage immediately and refuse it on the spot. If they do not catch it, the check goes into the bank's processing system, gets scanned, and fails at the sorting stage. The check then bounces back to you, and you receive a notice that it was rejected. This process takes several business days, during which you may think the money has been deposited when it has not.
Types of damage that cause rejection
Torn checks are the most common problem. A tear along the edge or through a corner can obscure the routing number or account number. A check that is torn in half will almost certainly be rejected, even if you tape it back together—banks do not accept taped checks because the tape obscures the printed numbers.
Water damage is another frequent reason for rejection. If a check has been wet, the ink may have run or faded. The magnetic ink numbers at the bottom may be illegible to the scanning machine. Checks that are wrinkled, creased, or have stains are often rejected if the damage affects the readability of the critical numbers.
Missing pieces are an automatic rejection. If a corner is missing, a section is torn away, or any part of the check is gone, the bank will not process it. Checks that are folded, bent sharply, or have holes punched through them are also rejected because the damage interferes with scanning.
How to tell if your check is too damaged
Hold the check up to the light and look at the bottom left corner, where the routing number is printed in magnetic ink. Look at the bottom center, where your account number appears. Look at the top right, where the check number is printed. If any of these three pieces of information is obscured, faded, torn, or missing, the check is too damaged to deposit.
If the check is wet or the ink has run, even slightly, it may still be rejected. If you can barely read the numbers yourself, the machine will not be able to read them either. When in doubt, do not attempt to deposit it. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask for a replacement.
What to do if your check is damaged
The fastest solution is to contact the person or business that issued the check and ask them to stop payment on the original and issue a new one. Most people and businesses are willing to do this without charge. Provide them with the check number and the amount so they can locate it in their records.
If you cannot reach the issuer, you can attempt to deposit the damaged check anyway. Tell the teller that the check is damaged and ask whether they think it will process. Some banks will try to run it through the system and let you know if it fails. Others will refuse it immediately. There is no harm in asking, but be prepared for rejection.
Do not tape a damaged check or try to repair it yourself. Do not write on the check or make any marks on it. Do not attempt to photocopy a damaged check and deposit the copy—banks will reject a copy because it is not the original document.
Checks that are slightly damaged but still readable
A check with a small tear in a blank area, a minor crease, or light water staining may still process. The outcome depends on whether the damage affects the magnetic ink numbers at the bottom. If those numbers are clear and readable, the check has a good chance of being accepted.
However, even a check that looks fine to the human eye can fail if the scanning machine cannot read the magnetic ink. Banks have no obligation to attempt manual processing or to contact you before rejecting a damaged check. Some will; others will not. The safest approach is always to get a replacement check from the issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tape a ripped check back together and deposit it?
No. Banks reject taped checks because the tape obscures the printed numbers and interferes with scanning. Even if the check is taped perfectly and looks readable, the sorting machine will reject it. Always ask for a replacement check instead.
What if a check is slightly wet but the ink is still visible?
It may still be rejected. If the ink has faded or run at all, the magnetic ink reader may not be able to scan it. If the check is damp, let it dry completely before attempting to deposit it. If the ink is still faded after drying, contact the issuer for a replacement.
Will the bank contact me if my damaged check is rejected?
Not always. Some banks send a notice; others do not. The check will be returned to the issuing bank, which may or may not contact the person who wrote it. You may not know the check failed until you check your account balance and see that the deposit never posted. This is why it is better to ask for a replacement check upfront.
Can I deposit a photocopy of a damaged check?
No. Banks require the original check document. A photocopy, scan, or image of a check cannot be deposited through standard channels. If you have lost the original check, you must contact the issuer and request a replacement.
What if the check number or routing number is missing?
The check cannot be processed. The routing number and account number are essential for the bank to know where to send the money. If either is missing or illegible, ask the issuer for a new check. Do not attempt to write in missing numbers yourself.