What goes in each blank on a deposit slip

A deposit slip is a form that tells your bank where the money you're depositing belongs. The bank uses it to route the cash or checks to your account. You fill in your account number, the date, and the amount you're depositing—then hand it to the teller or insert it with your checks into an ATM.

The slip itself has printed lines for specific information. At the top is usually your name and account number (sometimes pre-printed). Below that are separate lines for each check or cash deposit, a subtotal line, and a line for the total amount. Some slips have a line for the amount you want back in cash if you're depositing more than you need to keep.

The exact layout varies by bank, but the purpose is always the same: to create a record that matches what you're handing over with what should appear in your account. If the numbers don't match, the deposit may be delayed or rejected.

Key Takeaways

  • Write your account number on the slip so the bank knows which account to credit.
  • List each check separately with its amount, or write "cash" and the total cash amount on one line.
  • Add up all deposits and write the total at the bottom—this is what the teller will verify.
  • Sign the back of any checks you're depositing before you hand them over.
  • Keep your copy of the deposit slip as a record until the transaction appears in your account.

Step-by-step: filling in the blanks

Account number: Write your account number in the box or line marked for it. Many banks pre-print this, so check first. If it's not printed, copy it from your debit card, checkbook, or online banking login.

Date: Write today's date in the format your bank uses (usually MM/DD/YYYY). The date matters because deposits posted on different days may affect when funds are available.

Checks: If you're depositing checks, write the amount of each check on a separate line. Some slips have a column for the check number—write it if there's a space for it. If you're depositing more than five or six checks, you may need a second slip or an envelope.

Cash: If you're depositing bills and coins, write "cash" on one line and the total amount next to it. You don't need to list each bill separately.

Subtotal and total: Add up all the amounts (checks plus cash) and write the total on the line marked "total" or "amount deposited." This number should match what you're physically handing to the teller.

What happens if you make a mistake

If you write the wrong account number, the deposit may go into someone else's account or be held while the bank investigates. If the total on the slip doesn't match the cash and checks you hand over, the teller will catch it and ask you to correct it before processing.

If you've already submitted the slip and realize there's an error, contact your bank as soon as possible. Most banks can reverse a deposit that went to the wrong account, but it takes time. The sooner you report it, the faster they can fix it.

Minor errors—like a slightly illegible number or a check amount that's off by a dollar—usually don't hold up the deposit. Tellers are trained to spot these and ask for clarification. Major errors, like a missing account number or a total that's wildly different from what you handed over, will delay the transaction.

Deposit slips for ATM deposits

ATM deposit envelopes work differently from teller slips. You put your checks and cash into an envelope, write your account number and the total amount on the outside, and insert it into the machine. The ATM scans the envelope and credits your account based on what you wrote.

Because an ATM can't verify the contents the way a teller can, accuracy matters more. If you write down the wrong amount, that's what gets credited to your account. The bank will eventually reconcile the envelope contents with what you claimed, and if there's a discrepancy, they'll contact you.

Always keep your receipt from the ATM deposit. If there's a problem, you'll need it to prove you made the deposit and what amount you claimed.

When you don't need a deposit slip

Mobile check deposits and online transfers don't use paper slips. You photograph the check or enter the transfer details directly into your bank's app. The bank's system creates a digital record instead.

Some banks have also phased out paper slips at teller windows. The teller may enter your information into a computer instead and print a receipt for you. Ask your bank whether they still use paper slips or if they've moved to digital entry.

Keeping records of your deposits

Your deposit slip is a record of what you deposited and when. Keep it until the transaction shows up in your account statement—usually one to three business days later. Once you see it posted, you can throw the slip away or file it with your other banking records.

If you're depositing a large amount of cash, keep the slip longer. Banks are required to report cash deposits over $10,000 to the IRS, and you may need proof that you made the deposit if questions come up later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sign a deposit slip?

No. You sign the back of checks you're depositing (usually with "For Deposit Only" and your account number), but you don't sign the deposit slip itself. The teller or ATM doesn't require your signature on the slip.

What if I don't have a deposit slip?

Ask the teller for one. Banks keep them at the counter and at ATMs. If you're at an ATM and there are no envelopes, you can usually request one from your bank's website or ask at a branch. Some banks allow deposits without a slip if you're using a teller—they'll enter your information into the system instead.

Can I deposit cash without writing down the amount?

At a teller window, yes—the teller will count it and write the amount on the slip for you. At an ATM, no—you have to write the amount on the envelope because the machine can't verify it. If you write the wrong amount at an ATM, that's what gets credited initially, though the bank will correct it later if the actual contents don't match.

What if the deposit slip is pre-printed with the wrong account number?

Cross out the printed number and write the correct one clearly. If it's a teller deposit, they'll verify the number before processing. If it's an ATM, make sure your handwritten number is legible so the machine reads it correctly.