What confirming a bank account means and why PayPal requires it
Confirming a bank account on PayPal means proving to PayPal that you own the bank account you've linked to your wallet. PayPal does this by depositing two small amounts—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—into your bank account a few days after you link it. You then log into PayPal, enter those two amounts, and PayPal marks the account as confirmed.
PayPal requires this step because it protects both you and them. It prevents someone from linking a bank account that isn't theirs, which could be used to move money fraudulently. Once your account is confirmed, you can withdraw money from PayPal to that bank account, and PayPal will process transfers faster because they know the account is legitimate.
The confirmation process takes about three to five business days from the moment you link your bank account, because that's how long the test deposits take to show up in your bank. You don't need to do anything during that waiting period—just check your bank account regularly for the two small deposits.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account; you must enter the amounts in PayPal to confirm ownership.
- The deposits arrive within three to five business days of linking your account, and you can check your bank statement online or through your bank's app.
- Once confirmed, you can withdraw money from PayPal to that bank account without additional verification.
- If the deposits don't arrive after five business days, contact your bank first to check if they blocked them, then contact PayPal if your bank says they never received them.
Step-by-step process for linking and confirming your bank account
Start by logging into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Wallet (on the app, tap the wallet icon at the bottom), then select Link a bank account. PayPal will ask you to enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website and look for account details.
After you enter those numbers, PayPal will tell you that two small deposits are on the way. Write down the date PayPal shows you, then wait. Check your bank account starting three business days later. When the two deposits appear, return to PayPal, go back to Wallet, find the bank account you linked, and select Confirm. PayPal will ask you to enter the two amounts. Type them in exactly as they appear in your bank statement, then click Confirm. PayPal will verify the amounts match and mark your account as confirmed.
Once confirmed, the two small deposits are yours to keep—PayPal does not ask you to send them back. Your bank account is now linked and ready for withdrawals.
Where to find the test deposit amounts in your bank account
The two deposits will show up in your bank account as small transactions, usually labeled something like "PayPal" or "PAYPAL CONFIRMATION" followed by a reference number. They are real money, not pending transactions, so they will appear in your available balance.
The easiest place to find them is your bank's mobile app or online banking portal. Log in, go to your account activity or transaction history, and search for "PayPal" or look at the most recent transactions. If your bank shows deposits by date, look for transactions from the date PayPal told you they were coming. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear—for example, $0.23 and $0.17—because you will need to enter them into PayPal with the dollar sign and decimal point.
If you prefer to check by paper statement, the deposits will appear on your next monthly statement, but that may take weeks. Using your bank's app or website is much faster.
What to do if the test deposits don't arrive
If five business days have passed and you don't see the two deposits in your bank account, contact your bank first. Explain that you are waiting for two small test deposits from PayPal and ask whether they were blocked, rejected, or returned. Some banks flag small deposits as suspicious or hold them temporarily. Your bank can tell you what happened and, if they blocked the deposits, can help you allow them through.
If your bank confirms they never received the deposits, or if your bank says the deposits went through but you still don't see them after another two business days, contact PayPal. Go to Help in your account, select Contact Us, and choose the option for linking a bank account. Explain that you linked your account on a specific date and the test deposits never arrived. PayPal can resend the deposits or investigate whether there was an error on their end.
Do not attempt to link the same bank account again while waiting for the first set of deposits. Linking it twice can cause confusion and delay the process further. Wait for PayPal or your bank to resolve the first attempt.
How long you can take to confirm and what happens if you don't
You have 30 days from the date PayPal sends the deposits to enter the amounts and confirm your account. If you don't confirm within 30 days, PayPal will remove the bank account from your wallet and you will need to link it again from the beginning.
There is no penalty for not confirming—PayPal straightforward won't let you withdraw money to that account until it is confirmed. If you link a bank account but never confirm it, you can still receive money into your PayPal balance, but you cannot move it to your bank. You can spend it through PayPal or transfer it to another PayPal user, but withdrawals to the unconfirmed bank account will be blocked.
If you miss the 30-day window, you can link the same bank account again and go through the confirmation process a second time. There is no limit to how many times you can attempt this.
Confirming a bank account on the PayPal app versus the website
The process is nearly identical on both, but the app is usually faster because you can photograph your check to fill in the routing and account numbers automatically. On the website, you must type them in manually.
To use the camera feature on the app, tap Wallet, then Link a bank account, then Use camera. Hold your check steady and let the app read the numbers. Review them before submitting to make sure they are correct. On the website, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, and type in the routing number and account number by hand.
Once the deposits arrive, you can confirm on whichever device is easiest for you. You don't have to use the same one you used to link the account. Log in, go to Wallet, find the bank account, and enter the two amounts.
What happens after your bank account is confirmed
Once confirmed, your bank account becomes your default withdrawal destination. Any time you transfer money from PayPal to your bank, it will go to this account unless you link additional bank accounts and choose a different one.
Transfers to a confirmed bank account typically take one to two business days, though some banks process them faster. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date when you initiate the transfer. You can withdraw as much as you want, as often as you want, with no fees for the transfer itself (though your bank may charge a fee, which is rare).
If you later want to remove this bank account from PayPal, go to Wallet, select the account, and choose Remove. You can link a new account and go through confirmation again at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I confirm my bank account on mobile if I linked it on a computer?
Yes. Once the deposits arrive in your bank account, you can log into PayPal on any device—phone, tablet, or computer—and enter the amounts to confirm. You don't have to use the same device you used to link the account.
What if I enter the wrong amounts when confirming?
PayPal will tell you the amounts don't match and won't let you confirm. You can try again as many times as you need. Check your bank statement again and make sure you are entering the exact amounts, including the dollar sign and decimal point. If you keep getting an error, wait a day and try again, or contact PayPal support.
Do I need to confirm my bank account if I only want to receive money?
No. You can receive money into your PayPal balance without confirming a bank account. You only need to confirm if you want to withdraw money from PayPal to your bank. If you never plan to withdraw, you don't need to link a bank account at all.
Can I confirm multiple bank accounts?
Yes. You can link and confirm as many bank accounts as you want. Each one will go through the same two-deposit confirmation process. You can choose which account to withdraw to each time you transfer money, or set one as your default.
What if my bank account information changes?
If you change banks or your account number changes, you will need to remove the old bank account from PayPal and link the new one. Go to Wallet, select the old account, choose Remove, then link your new account and confirm it with the two test deposits.