The three ways to deposit a check at Chase

You can deposit a check at Chase through a branch teller, an ATM, or the mobile app. The branch is the slowest but most direct. The ATM is faster and available 24/7. The mobile app is the fastest — you photograph the front and back of the check, and Chase processes it without you leaving home. All three routes put the money in your account, but the timing differs.

Which route you choose depends on when you need the money and whether you have a Chase ATM or smartphone nearby. A check deposited at a branch teller before 2 p.m. on a business day usually clears the next business day. A mobile deposit can take one to two business days. An ATM deposit can take one to three business days, depending on the machine and the time you deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile deposit through the Chase app is the fastest method and requires only a photo of the front and back of the check.
  • Branch deposits before 2 p.m. on a business day typically clear by the next business day.
  • ATM deposits are available around the clock but may take longer to process than branch or mobile deposits.
  • You need an active Chase checking or savings account and a valid ID to deposit a check in person.
  • The check must be made payable to you, and you must endorse it (sign the back) before depositing.

Depositing a check through the Chase mobile app

Open the Chase mobile app and log in. Tap the deposit icon (usually labeled "Deposit a Check" or found under the account menu). The app will ask you to photograph the front of the check, then the back. Make sure the entire check is visible in the frame, the image is clear, and the lighting is good enough to read the numbers and text.

After you submit both images, the app confirms receipt and tells you when the funds will be available. Chase typically makes mobile deposits available within one to two business days. You can then destroy the physical check — do not deposit it again at a branch or ATM, or Chase will flag it as a duplicate.

You must have the Chase mobile app downloaded and be enrolled in mobile deposit. If you have not set this up, you can do it in the app settings or by calling Chase at the number on the back of your debit card.

Depositing a check at a Chase branch

Walk into any Chase branch with the check and your ID. Hand both to the teller and tell them you want to deposit the check. The teller will ask which account to deposit it into (checking or savings) and may ask how you want any remaining cash back if you are depositing a check for more than you need.

The teller will endorse the back of the check for you (or ask you to sign it first), scan it, and give you a receipt. The funds are usually available the next business day if you deposit before 2 p.m. on a weekday. Deposits made after 2 p.m. or on weekends are processed the next business day.

Depositing a check at a Chase ATM

Find a Chase ATM and insert your debit card. Select "Deposit" from the menu. The ATM will ask you to choose the account (checking or savings) and the amount you are depositing. Endorse the back of the check with your signature before inserting it into the slot.

The ATM will scan the check and display the amount it read. Confirm that the amount is correct. If the ATM cannot read the check clearly, it will reject it and return it to you — this happens with faded checks, checks with writing in the wrong places, or checks that are torn or folded. You will get a receipt showing the deposit was submitted.

Chase typically makes ATM deposits available within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on when you deposited (ATM deposits made late at night may not process until the next day) and the bank that issued the check.

What you need before you deposit

The check must be made payable to you — or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it. If it is made out to you and another person, both of you may need to sign the back, depending on how the names are written. Ask the teller or check your app instructions if you are unsure.

You must endorse the check by signing the back. Write your signature on the back left side, in the white space above any pre-printed lines. For mobile deposit, you do not sign the physical check — the app counts your submission as your endorsement. For branch and ATM deposits, sign before you hand it over or insert it.

You need an active Chase checking or savings account. If you do not have one, you will need to open an account first. You also need a valid ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) if you are depositing in person at a branch.

When the money shows up in your account

Chase distinguishes between when funds are available and when they are posted. Available means you can spend the money. Posted means Chase has received and processed the check from the issuing bank.

For most checks, funds are available within one to two business days of deposit. Some checks take longer — out-of-state checks, checks for large amounts, or checks from banks Chase does not have a relationship with may take up to five business days. Chase will tell you the availability date when you deposit.

If you need the money faster, ask the teller or check the app — some Chase accounts offer next-business-day availability on certain deposits, though this depends on your account type and the check amount.

What happens if the check bounces

If the account the check was drawn from does not have enough money, the check bounces. Chase will reverse the deposit and remove the funds from your account. You will see a returned-check fee (usually $5 to $15) charged to your account. The person who wrote the check is responsible for paying you back, not Chase.

Chase notifies you of a returned check through the app or by email, depending on your notification settings. If you deposited the check through mobile or ATM, you may not find out for several days — branch deposits are usually flagged faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made payable 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 other person must deposit it themselves or sign it over to you in writing (called a third-party check), though many banks, including Chase, no longer accept third-party checks.

How long does a mobile deposit take to clear?

Chase typically makes mobile deposits available within one to two business days. The exact timing depends on the amount, the bank that issued the check, and whether Chase needs to verify the image quality. You can check the availability date in the app after you submit the deposit.

What if the ATM rejects my check?

The ATM rejects checks it cannot read clearly — usually because of fading, damage, writing in the wrong place, or poor image quality. Take the check to a branch teller instead. They can deposit it manually and may be able to process it even if the ATM could not read it.

Can I deposit a check to someone else's Chase account?

No. You can only deposit checks into an account in your own name. If you want to give money to someone else, deposit the check into your account first, then transfer the funds to them through Chase's transfer system or by writing them a new check.

What if I deposit the same check twice by accident?

Chase will catch the duplicate and reject the second deposit. If funds were already deducted from your account for the first deposit, they will be returned. You will not be charged twice, but you may see a temporary hold while Chase investigates.