The fastest way to deposit a check at Chase

You can deposit a check at Chase in three ways: at an ATM using the mobile app, through the Chase mobile app without visiting a branch, or in person at a Chase branch or ATM. The mobile app deposit is usually fastest — you photograph both sides of the check and it posts within one business day. If you use a Chase ATM in person, the deposit is often available the same day. In-person deposits at a branch teller take a few minutes and post the same day if you deposit before the branch closes.

All three methods require the same thing: a signed check made out to you, and a Chase checking or savings account. The check must have a routing number and account number printed at the bottom. If the check is damaged, torn, or the numbers are unclear, the ATM or app will reject it, and you'll need to deposit it in person with a teller.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile app deposits work 24/7 and are the fastest option for most people, posting within one business day.
  • Chase ATMs accept check deposits during their operating hours, usually posting the same day if you deposit before the branch closes.
  • In-person deposits at a teller take a few minutes and post the same day, and are the only option if your check is damaged or unreadable.
  • You must endorse the check by signing the back before depositing it, and write "For deposit only to Chase account [your account number]" below your signature for security.
  • Checks from other banks post the same day, but out-of-state checks may take one to two business days to clear.

Depositing a check through the Chase mobile app

Open the Chase mobile app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Select "Deposit a check" or "Mobile check deposit." The app will ask you to choose which account to deposit into. Take a photo of the front of the check, then the back. Make sure the entire check is visible, the lighting is clear, and all numbers at the bottom are readable. The app will tell you if the image is too blurry or cut off.

After you submit both images, the app shows you the amount it read from the check. Review this carefully — if it's wrong, you can cancel and retake the photos. Once you confirm, the deposit is submitted. The app will tell you when the funds will be available, usually within one business day. After the deposit posts, sign the back of the physical check with "For deposit only" and keep it for your records for at least 30 days, then destroy it.

The mobile app deposit works any time, day or night, and on weekends. There is no limit to how many checks you can deposit this way, but Chase may set a daily dollar limit based on your account history — this limit usually starts at $2,500 per day and increases over time as you use the service.

Depositing a check at a Chase ATM

Find a Chase ATM near you using the Chase website or app. Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" from the menu. The ATM will ask which account you want to deposit into. Endorse the back of the check by signing it and writing "For deposit only" below your signature. Insert the check into the slot — the ATM will pull it in and scan it.

The ATM will display the amount it read from the check. Review it carefully. If the amount is wrong or the ATM rejects the check because it cannot read it, you will need to take the check to a teller instead. If the amount is correct, confirm the deposit. The ATM will return your card and print a receipt. The deposit usually posts the same day if you deposit before the branch closes, or the next business day if you deposit after hours.

Chase ATMs are available 24/7, but deposits made after the branch closes are processed the next business day. Some ATMs have a daily deposit limit of $5,000, though this varies by location and account type.

Depositing a check in person at a Chase branch

Walk into any Chase branch during business hours. Tell the teller you want to deposit a check. Hand them the check and your debit card or account number. Sign the back of the check in front of the teller if you haven't already. The teller will scan the check, show you the amount, and ask which account to deposit into. If you have multiple accounts, make sure you tell them the right one.

The teller will give you a receipt showing the deposit amount and the account it went into. The deposit posts the same day. This is the only method that works if your check is damaged, has a faded image, or is missing information — a teller can manually enter the details and process it.

What you need before you deposit

The check must be signed by the person or business who wrote it. It must have your name on the "Pay to the order of" line — if it's made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it into your account. The check must have the routing number and account number of the issuing bank printed at the bottom in magnetic ink. If these numbers are missing or unreadable, an ATM or app will reject it.

You must endorse the check by signing the back. For security, write "For deposit only to Chase account [your account number]" below your signature. This prevents someone else from cashing the check if it's lost. If you use the mobile app, you can endorse it after the deposit posts, but it's safer to endorse it before you photograph it.

The check must not be post-dated (dated in the future). Chase will reject post-dated checks. If the check is damaged, torn, or has a hole in it, a teller can still process it, but an ATM or the app will reject it.

How long it takes for the money to be available

Deposits made through the mobile app usually post within one business day. Deposits made at a Chase ATM or in person at a branch usually post the same day if you deposit before the branch closes. Deposits made after the branch closes post the next business day.

Once the deposit posts to your account, the money is available to use. However, the check itself may take longer to clear — this is the process where the issuing bank confirms the check is real and the account has enough money. Local checks usually clear within one business day. Out-of-state checks may take one to two business days. During this time, the money is in your account, but if the check bounces, Chase will remove it and charge you a fee.

What happens if the check is rejected

If you use the mobile app or ATM and the check is rejected, the app or ATM will tell you why — usually because the image is blurry, the numbers are unreadable, or the check is damaged. You can retake the photos and try again, or take the check to a teller. A teller can process checks that machines reject, as long as the check is real and has all the required information.

If a check bounces after it posts to your account, Chase will remove the deposit and charge you a returned-check fee. This fee varies but is usually $10 to $15. The person who wrote the check may also face fees from their own bank. If you receive a bounced check, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to write you a new check or pay you another way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you or to you and another person whose name is also on the account. If the check is made out to someone else, they must deposit it into their own account. Some banks allow third-party deposits with both people present, but Chase does not.

What if I don't have a Chase debit card?

You can still deposit at a branch by telling the teller your account number. For ATM deposits, you need a debit card or ATM card. For mobile app deposits, you only need the app and your login information — no card required.

Can I deposit a check from another bank?

Yes. Checks from other banks deposit the same way as Chase checks. They usually post the same day if it's a local bank, or one to two business days if it's out of state.

Is there a limit to how much I can deposit?

Mobile app deposits usually have a daily limit of $2,500 to start, which increases over time. ATM deposits may have a daily limit of $5,000. In-person deposits at a teller have no limit. Contact Chase if you need to deposit more than these amounts.

What if the check is post-dated?

Chase will not accept post-dated checks — checks dated in the future. You must wait until the date on the check arrives before you can deposit it. If you try to deposit it early, the ATM or app will reject it, and a teller may refuse it as well.