You have three main routes: mail a money order, use a mobile deposit app if your bank supports it, or deposit at a branch or ATM in your home state before you leave
Depositing cash directly into an out-of-state account is not straightforward because banks do not accept cash deposits from people who are not physically present. The fastest option depends on whether you have a relationship with a bank in your home state, how much cash you are moving, and how soon you need the money to clear.
If you are moving out of state and need to deposit cash you have on hand, your best path is usually to deposit it at your current bank before you go, then transfer it once you have opened an account elsewhere. If you are already out of state and need to move cash from home, a money order mailed to your new address works, though it takes five to ten business days. Mobile deposit through your bank's app can work if your bank operates in both states and allows remote deposits, but this requires you to have already opened the account.
Key Takeaways
- Banks will not accept cash deposits from you by mail or through an ATM in another state; you must be physically present or use an intermediary like a money order.
- If you are moving, deposit cash at your current bank before you leave, then transfer the funds to your new out-of-state account once it is open.
- A money order purchased at a post office, grocery store, or bank lets you mail cash as a find document, though it takes five to ten business days to clear.
- Mobile deposit apps work only if your bank has branches in both states and you have already opened an account; check with your bank first about whether they support out-of-state mobile deposits.
- Wire transfers and cashier's checks are faster but cost money; use them only if you need funds within one to two business days.
Depositing cash before you move out of state
The simplest approach is to deposit your cash at your current bank while you still have access to a local branch. Walk in with the cash, fill out a deposit slip, and hand it to a teller. The money clears when ready and sits in your account.
Once you have opened an account at your new bank in the other state, transfer the funds electronically. Most banks let you set up an external transfer through their website or app by entering your new account number and routing number. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. This method costs nothing and leaves a clear paper trail.
If you do not yet know which bank you will use in your new state, you can leave the money in your current account and transfer it once you have decided. Many people keep their original account open for this reason, even after moving.
Sending a money order through the mail
A money order is a document that works like a check but is backed by the issuer's funds, not your account. You buy it with cash at a post office, grocery store, Walmart, or bank, and it can be mailed safely because it is not the same as sending cash.
To send a money order out of state: buy the money order for the amount you need (most places charge $1 to $5 per order, depending on the amount), write your name and address in the "purchaser" field, write your out-of-state bank's name and address in the "payee" field, and mail it to yourself at your new address. When it arrives, deposit it at your new bank by walking into a branch or using mobile deposit if your bank supports it.
The money order itself arrives in three to five business days. Once you deposit it, the bank holds it for five to ten business days while they verify it is legitimate. You can use the funds before the hold clears, but the bank can reverse the deposit if the money order is fraudulent. In practice, money orders from the US Postal Service and major retailers are nearly always legitimate.
This method works even if you do not yet have an account at your new bank. You can deposit the money order as soon as you open the account, even if it arrived weeks earlier.
Using mobile deposit if your bank operates in both states
Some banks let you deposit checks and money orders remotely through their mobile app by photographing the front and back. A few banks have expanded this to cash deposits, but only if you have a special envelope or deposit kit they provide, and only if the bank has branches in your state.
Before you move, ask your bank whether they support mobile cash deposits and whether they have branches in the state you are moving to. If they do, you can sometimes deposit cash remotely once you have opened an account there. The process usually involves photographing the cash in a special envelope, and the bank may limit how much you can deposit this way per day or per month.
If your bank does not support mobile cash deposits, or if they do not have branches in your new state, this option is not available to you. Do not attempt to photograph cash and send it through a regular mobile check deposit app; banks will reject it.
Wire transfers and cashier's checks for faster deposits
If you need the money to arrive within one to two business days, a wire transfer or cashier's check is faster than a money order, but both cost money.
A wire transfer moves funds electronically from one bank to another. You go to your current bank, provide your new account details, and the bank sends the money directly. Wire transfers usually arrive the same business day or the next day. Domestic wire transfers typically cost $15 to $30. You do not need to have opened your new account yet; the bank can wire funds to an account in your name at any other bank.
A cashier's check is a check written by the bank itself, backed by the bank's account rather than yours. You go to your current bank, give them cash, and they issue a check for that amount. You then mail the check or carry it to your new bank and deposit it. Cashier's checks cost $5 to $15 and clear in one to three business days. They are safer than personal checks because the bank guarantees the funds, but they are slower than a wire transfer.
What happens if you try to deposit cash at an out-of-state ATM
Most ATMs do not accept cash deposits at all, even if they are part of your bank's network. ATMs that do accept deposits usually only work for customers of that specific bank or credit union, and they verify your identity through your debit card and PIN.
Even if an out-of-state ATM accepts your card, it will not let you deposit cash into an account you do not have at that bank. The ATM has no way to know which account the cash should go into, and banks do not allow deposits to accounts held at other institutions.
The only exception is if you open an account at a bank with branches in both states before you move. Then you can deposit cash at an ATM in your new state into your account at that bank. But this requires planning ahead and choosing a bank that operates nationwide or in both states you need.
Choosing the right method based on your timeline and situation
| Method | Timeline | Cost | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit before you move | 1–3 days (transfer) | Free | You are moving and have time to visit your bank before you leave |
| Money order by mail | 5–10 days (plus mail time) | $1–$5 | You are already out of state and do not need the money when ready |
| Mobile deposit | 1–3 days | Free | Your bank operates in both states and supports mobile cash deposits |
| Wire transfer | Same day or next day | $15–$30 | You need the money urgently and have already opened an account |
| Cashier's check | 1–3 days | $5–$15 | You need faster delivery than a money order but do not need same-day funds |
If you are moving and have time before you leave, depositing at your current bank is the easiest and cheapest option. If you are already out of state and the cash is with someone at home, ask them to deposit it at their bank and wire it to you, or have them buy a money order and mail it.
For amounts under $500, a money order is usually the most practical choice because the cost is low and the process is straightforward. For larger amounts or urgent timelines, a wire transfer is worth the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mail cash directly to my bank?
No. Banks will not accept cash through the mail because it can be lost or stolen, and they have no way to verify the amount. Use a money order instead, which is insured and can be tracked.
What if I do not have an account yet at my new bank?
A money order works because you can deposit it as soon as you open an account. A wire transfer also works; the bank can send funds to an account in your name even if you have not opened it yet, though you will need to provide your new account number. For other methods, you will need to open the account first.
How much cash can I deposit at once?
There is no legal limit on how much cash you can deposit. However, banks report deposits over $10,000 to the IRS as part of standard anti-money-laundering procedures. This is normal and legal; you do not need to do anything special unless the bank asks for documentation of where the cash came from.
Will my new bank ask where the money came from?
Banks may ask about large deposits, especially if they seem unusual for your account. Be prepared to explain that it is your own cash from savings or a previous account. Keep receipts from where you bought a money order or documentation of a wire transfer, as these help explain the source.
Is it safer to use a money order or a wire transfer?
Both are safe. A money order is safer in transit because it is a document, not cash, and it can be replaced if lost. A wire transfer is faster but costs more. For amounts under $1,000, a money order is usually the better choice.