Yes, you can deposit checks online through your bank's mobile app or website
Most banks now let you photograph a check with your phone and deposit it without visiting a branch. This is called mobile check deposit. You take pictures of the front and back of the check, open your bank's app or website, find the deposit option, upload the images, and the money goes into your account. The whole process takes a few minutes.
Not every bank offers this yet, and the rules vary slightly between banks. Some require you to have had your account open for a certain amount of time before you can use mobile deposit. Others limit how much you can deposit in a single day or week. Your bank's app or website will tell you whether this option is available to you and what the limits are.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile check deposit means photographing both sides of a check through your bank's app or website, then the bank deposits the money into your account.
- You need a smartphone or computer with a camera, your bank account login, and a check made out to you.
- Most banks process mobile deposits within one business day, though some take longer depending on when you submit the photos.
- After you submit the photos, most banks ask you to destroy the physical check or write "deposited" on it so you do not accidentally deposit it twice.
- If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you can still deposit checks by mailing them, using an ATM, or visiting a branch.
What you need to deposit a check online
You need three things: a bank account with a bank that offers mobile deposit, a smartphone or computer with a camera, and a check made out to your name. The check must have your name on it as the person receiving the money — if someone else's name is on the check, you cannot deposit it through mobile deposit.
Your bank account also needs to be in good standing. If your account has been closed or flagged for fraud, the bank may not let you use mobile deposit. If you are new to the bank, you may have to wait a few days or weeks before the feature turns on. Check your bank's app or website to see whether mobile deposit is available to you right now.
How to take photos that the bank will accept
The bank's app will guide you through taking the pictures, but here are the basics. You need clear photos of both the front and back of the check. The front shows the check number, the amount, the date, and who the check is from. The back is where you sign — you must sign the back of the check before you photograph it.
Make sure the entire check is visible in the photo, the lighting is bright enough to read all the text, and the image is not blurry. If the photo is too dark or cuts off part of the check, the bank's system may reject it and ask you to retake the picture. Most apps let you retake as many times as you need.
Do not use a photo you took earlier — take the pictures fresh each time you deposit. Banks use the photo timestamp to prevent the same check from being deposited twice.
How long it takes for the money to appear in your account
Most banks deposit the money within one business day of when you submit the photos. Some banks are faster and deposit the same day if you submit before a certain time in the afternoon. A few banks take two business days. Your bank's app will tell you the expected timeline when you submit the deposit.
Business days are Monday through Friday, not counting weekends or federal holidays. If you deposit a check on Friday evening, the bank may not process it until Monday, so the money might not show up until Tuesday. If you need the money urgently, ask your bank what time you need to submit the photos to get same-day processing.
What to do with the physical check after you deposit it
After the bank confirms that your deposit went through, you need to make sure the physical check cannot be deposited again. Most banks ask you to either destroy the check by shredding it or writing "deposited" across the front in large letters. Some banks tell you to keep the check for a certain number of days in case there is a problem, then destroy it.
Do not throw the check away without marking it or destroying it. If someone else finds it and tries to deposit it, the bank may process it twice, which creates a problem for you. Your bank's app usually shows you a message telling you exactly what to do with the physical check — follow those instructions.
What happens if the bank rejects your deposit
The bank's system may reject your photos if they are too blurry, too dark, or if part of the check is cut off. If this happens, the app will tell you why and let you retake the pictures. This is not a problem — just take clearer photos and submit again.
The bank may also reject the deposit if the check is damaged, if the signature on the back does not match your account name, or if the check is post-dated (dated in the future). If you get a rejection message you do not understand, call your bank's customer service line. They can tell you what is wrong and whether you can fix it or need to deposit the check another way.
Other ways to deposit a check if mobile deposit is not available
If your bank does not offer mobile deposit or if you prefer not to use it, you have other options. You can mail the check to your bank — most banks provide a mailing address on their website or in your account statements. You can also visit a branch in person and hand the check to a teller. Some banks have ATMs that accept checks; you insert the check into the machine and it deposits automatically.
Mailing a check takes longer than mobile deposit — usually five to ten business days depending on mail speed and bank processing time. Visiting a branch or using an ATM is faster, usually one business day. If you need the money right away, mobile deposit or an ATM is your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign the back of the check before I take the photo?
Yes. You must sign the back of the check before you photograph it. The bank needs to see your signature in the photo to process the deposit. If you forget to sign it, take a new photo after you sign it.
Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?
No. Mobile deposit only works for checks made out to you. If someone else's name is on the check, you cannot deposit it through your phone. You would need to go to a branch and have that person sign the back, then you sign below their signature — this is called a third-party deposit, and not all banks allow it.
What if I accidentally deposit the same check twice?
The bank's system is designed to catch duplicate deposits, but if one slips through, the bank will notice when it processes the physical check. They will reverse one of the deposits and take the money back out of your account. This is why it is important to destroy or mark the physical check after you submit the photos.
Can I deposit a check if I do not have a smartphone?
Some banks let you deposit checks through their website on a computer instead of a mobile app. You would need a camera or scanner attached to your computer to take or scan the images. If your bank does not offer online deposit either way, you can mail the check or visit a branch.
Is mobile check deposit safe?
Mobile deposit is as safe as other banking methods. Your bank encrypts the photos and your login information, just like it does when you check your balance online. The main risk is taking a photo of a check and then losing your phone before you destroy the physical check — someone could find your phone and see the image. Once you submit the deposit, delete the photo from your phone.