What goes on a deposit slip and why

A deposit slip is a small form you fill out when you put money into your bank account in person at a teller window or ATM. It tells the bank whose account the money belongs to, how much you are depositing, and what form the money is in — cash, checks, or both.

Even though many people now deposit checks using their phone, deposit slips still matter. If you walk into a branch with cash or checks, the teller needs the slip to process your deposit correctly. Some ATMs that accept checks also require a slip. The slip is your record that you made the deposit, and it protects you if there is ever a question about whether the money reached your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Write your account number and the date at the top of the slip, then list each check or cash amount on a separate line.
  • If you are depositing cash, write the total amount on the "Currency" or "Cash" line; you do not need to list individual bills.
  • For checks, write the check amount on its own line and include the routing number from the bottom left of the check if the slip asks for it.
  • Add up all amounts, subtract any cash you want back, and write the final total at the bottom before handing the slip to the teller or inserting it into the ATM.
  • Keep the receipt the teller gives you or the one the ATM prints — it is your proof the deposit was made.

The top section: your account information and date

Start at the very top of the slip. You will see a box or line labeled "Account Number" or "Your Account Number." Write your full account number here. You can find this number on your debit card, checks, or bank statement. If you are not sure what it is, ask the teller — they can look it up using your ID.

Next to or below the account number, write today's date. Use the format your bank shows on the slip — usually MM/DD/YYYY (for example, 03/15/2024). This date tells the bank when you made the deposit, which matters for when the money shows up in your account.

Some slips also have a line for your name. If there is one, write it clearly. This is another way the bank confirms the deposit is going to the right person.

The middle section: listing what you are depositing

The middle of the slip has lines or boxes for you to list each item you are depositing. Each line is for one thing — either one check or a total amount of cash.

If you are depositing cash, write the total amount of all your bills and coins on the line labeled "Currency," "Cash," or "Bills." You do not list individual bills — just add them up and write one number. For example, if you have three $20 bills and two $5 bills, write $70 on the cash line.

If you are depositing checks, write each check amount on its own line. Look at the check itself — the amount is printed in two places: as numbers in the bottom right corner and as words across the middle. Use the number amount. Some slips ask you to write the check number (found in the top right corner of the check) next to the amount. A few slips also ask for the routing number, which is the nine-digit number at the bottom left of the check, but most do not.

The bottom section: totals and cash back

Once you have listed everything, add up all the amounts. Write this total on the line labeled "Subtotal" or "Total Deposits." This is the sum of all your cash and all your checks.

If you want cash back — meaning you want the teller to give you some money in return — write that amount on the line labeled "Less Cash Received" or "Cash Back." For example, if your total deposit is $150 and you want $20 back, write $20 on this line.

Finally, subtract the cash back from the subtotal and write the result on the line labeled "Net Deposit" or "Total." This is the amount that will actually go into your account. In the example above, $150 minus $20 equals $130, so you would write $130 on the final line.

What to do with the slip once it is filled out

If you are at a teller window, hand the slip and your money to the teller. They will process it, keep the slip, and give you a receipt. Write down the receipt number or keep the receipt itself — it proves you made the deposit.

If you are using an ATM that accepts deposits, insert the slip into the slot the machine shows you, then follow the on-screen instructions. The ATM will scan the slip and your checks, count your cash, and print a receipt. Keep this receipt until you see the deposit show up in your account, usually within one to two business days.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is writing the wrong account number. Double-check it before you hand over the slip. If you write the wrong number, your deposit could go into someone else's account, and it will take time to fix.

Another mistake is forgetting to add up the amounts correctly. Use a calculator if you are not sure. If your math is wrong, the bank will process the amount you wrote, not the amount you meant to deposit.

Do not write amounts in pen that is hard to read, and do not cross things out and write over them. If you make a mistake, ask the teller for a new slip or ask the ATM for a new one. Banks need to be able to read the slip clearly to process it correctly.

Finally, do not leave the slip blank or incomplete. If you do not fill in the account number or the total, the teller or ATM cannot process your deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a deposit slip if I am depositing at an ATM?

It depends on the ATM. Some ATMs that accept checks require a slip; others do not. The machine will tell you what it needs. If the ATM asks for a slip and you do not have one, ask a teller inside the branch for a blank one, or check your bank's website to see if you can print one.

What if I do not know my account number?

You can find it on your debit card, a check, or a recent bank statement. If you do not have any of those, tell the teller your name and show your ID — they can look up your account number in the system and write it on the slip for you.

Can I deposit checks from other people into my account?

Yes, but the check must be made out to you or have your name on it. If a check is made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it into your account. Some banks allow a third party to sign the back of a check and deposit it, but rules vary — ask your teller what your bank allows.

What if the teller tells me the amount on my slip does not match what they counted?

Stop and recount together. If you wrote $200 but only brought $150, the teller will ask which amount is correct. Be honest about what you are depositing. The slip is your record, so if there is a difference, it is better to fix it right then than to discover a problem later.

Do I need to keep the deposit slip after the teller gives me a receipt?

You do not need to keep the slip itself, but keep the receipt. The receipt is your proof that the deposit was made. Hold onto it until you see the money in your account, which usually takes one to two business days.