The fastest way to deposit a check
You can deposit a check in three ways: at a teller inside your bank branch, at an ATM if your bank has check deposit capability, or through your bank's mobile app if it offers mobile check deposit. Most banks now support mobile deposit, which is the fastest route—you photograph the front and back of the check, enter the amount, and the funds typically appear in your account within one business day. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, an ATM deposit takes about the same time. A teller deposit is the slowest but guarantees the check is processed correctly on the spot.
The check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it into your own account. The check must also have a signature from the person or business that issued it, and it cannot be post-dated (written with a future date) or stale-dated (more than six months old). Most banks will reject a check that fails any of these conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile check deposit through your bank's app is the fastest method and usually clears within one business day.
- ATM check deposit is available at most banks and takes about the same time as mobile deposit.
- A check must be made out to you, signed by the issuer, and not more than six months old to be deposited.
- Funds from a check deposit may be held for one to five business days before you can withdraw them, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy.
- If you deposit a check that bounces, your bank will reverse the deposit and may charge you a fee.
How to use mobile check deposit
Open your bank's mobile app and look for a menu option labeled "Deposit Check," "Mobile Deposit," or "Deposit." You will be asked to take two photographs: one of the front of the check and one of the back. The front photo should show the check number, the amount, the date, and the name of the person or business that issued it. The back photo should show the endorsement area—this is where you sign the check. Write your name and account number on the back of the check before you photograph it, or sign it directly in the app if the app provides a signature field.
After you photograph both sides, the app will ask you to enter the check amount manually. This is a security step; the app does not read the amount from the image. Review the amount carefully before you submit. Once you submit, the app will confirm the deposit and give you a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to track the deposit later. You can then destroy the physical check by shredding it or writing "VOID" across it in large letters.
Most banks make the funds available within one business day, though some may take up to two business days. The funds may be subject to a hold, meaning you cannot withdraw them immediately even though they show in your account balance. A hold typically lasts one to five business days depending on the check amount and your bank's policy.
Depositing a check at an ATM
Not all ATMs accept check deposits, so confirm your bank's ATM has this feature before you go. Look for an ATM owned by your bank, not an out-of-network ATM. Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" from the menu, then "Check Deposit" if that option appears separately. The ATM will ask you to insert the check into a slot. Some ATMs scan the check immediately and show you the amount on the screen; others accept the check and process it later.
If the ATM displays the amount, review it carefully. If it is wrong, cancel the transaction and try again or go to a teller instead. If the ATM accepts the check without displaying the amount, you will receive a receipt showing what you deposited. Keep this receipt until the deposit appears in your account online. ATM deposits typically clear within one to two business days, the same as mobile deposit.
Depositing a check with a teller
Go to your bank branch during business hours with your debit card and the check. Tell the teller you want to deposit the check. The teller will ask which account to deposit it into if you have more than one. Hand over the check and your debit card. The teller will examine the check to confirm it is signed, made out to you, and not stale-dated. If everything is correct, the teller will stamp the back of the check and enter the deposit into the system.
The teller will give you a receipt showing the amount deposited and the date. The funds will typically be available within one business day, though your bank may place a hold on the check depending on the amount. Ask the teller if a hold will apply to this deposit and for how long. A teller can also answer questions about whether a check is acceptable—for example, if the check is made out to you and another person, the teller can tell you whether both names need to be on the account or whether one signature is enough.
Understanding check holds and when funds become available
A check hold is a temporary delay your bank places on deposited funds. During the hold, the money shows in your account but you cannot withdraw it. Holds exist because it takes time for the check to clear through the banking system, and your bank wants to protect itself in case the check bounces. The hold period varies by bank and by check amount. A check for $100 might clear in one business day, while a check for $5,000 might be held for five business days.
Federal law (Regulation CC) sets maximum hold periods: one business day for checks from the same bank, two business days for local checks, and five business days for out-of-state checks. Your bank may clear checks faster than these limits but cannot hold them longer. Some banks offer faster clearing for customers with certain account types or balances. Ask your bank about its specific hold policy.
If you withdraw money from your account before a held check clears and the check later bounces, your account will go negative. Your bank will reverse the deposit and charge you an overdraft fee. This is why it is important to know which funds are on hold and which are available.
What happens if a check bounces
A check bounces when the account it was drawn from does not have enough money to cover it. When this happens, the check is returned to your bank unpaid. Your bank will reverse the deposit, removing the funds from your account. You will receive a notice (usually by email or mail) that the check was returned. Your bank will also charge you a returned-check fee, typically $10 to $30, though this varies by bank.
You are responsible for contacting the person or business that issued the check and asking them to reissue it or provide payment another way. If the check was from an employer, contact payroll immediately. If it was from a customer or client, send them a written notice asking for payment. Keep records of all communication. If the person refuses to pay or cannot be reached, you may have a small claims court case, though this is time-consuming and may not recover your money or the returned-check fee.
To avoid overdraft fees, do not spend money from a deposited check until you confirm it has cleared. Check your account online or call your bank to ask whether the hold has been lifted.
Checks made out to multiple people
If a check is made out to you and another person (for example, "Pay to the order of John Smith and Jane Doe"), the rules depend on how the names are written. If the names are connected by "and," both people typically must sign the back of the check and both must be present to deposit it, or one person must have a power of attorney over the other's account. If the names are connected by "or," either person can deposit it alone.
The safest approach is to contact your bank before you try to deposit a two-name check. Tell the teller or call customer service with the exact wording on the check. They will tell you whether you can deposit it alone or whether you need the other person present. If you try to deposit a two-name check and your bank rejects it, you will need to get the other person to come with you or ask them to sign a power of attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?
No. A check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else entirely, you cannot deposit it into your account. The person whose name is on the check must deposit it themselves or sign it over to you, though third-party check deposits are becoming less common and many banks no longer accept them.
How long does it take for a check to clear?
Most checks clear within one to two business days if deposited by mobile app or ATM, or within one business day if deposited with a teller. However, your bank may place a hold on the funds for up to five business days depending on the check amount and whether it is from an out-of-state bank. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days.
What if I deposit a check and then the account it came from is closed?
The check can still clear if the account had enough money when you deposited it. If the account is closed before the check clears, the check will bounce and your bank will reverse the deposit. You will be charged a returned-check fee and will need to contact the person who issued the check to get your money back.
Can I deposit a post-dated check?
Technically, banks are not supposed to accept post-dated checks (checks written with a future date), but many do. If you deposit a post-dated check before the date on it, your bank may process it immediately or may hold it until the date arrives. To be safe, do not deposit a post-dated check until the date has arrived, or ask your bank what it will do.
What should I do with the physical check after I deposit it?
After you deposit a check by mobile app or ATM, destroy it by shredding or writing "VOID" across it in large letters. Do not throw it away intact, as someone could find it and try to deposit it again. If you deposited it with a teller, the teller keeps the physical check.