What confirming your bank account means and why PayPal asks for it

When you link a bank account to PayPal, the company needs to verify that you actually own that account and that the account information is correct. Confirmation is PayPal's way of checking this — they deposit two small amounts (usually between 1 and 2 cents each) into your bank account, and you tell PayPal what those amounts were. Once you do, your account moves from "linked" to "confirmed," and you can withdraw money to that bank account without limits.

PayPal requires confirmation before you can transfer money out. Until your account is confirmed, you may be able to receive payments or hold a balance, but you cannot move that money to your bank. The confirmation process protects both you and PayPal: it proves the account is real, that it belongs to you, and that you have access to it.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal deposits two small amounts into your linked bank account, and you enter those amounts in your PayPal account to confirm ownership.
  • The deposits usually arrive within one to two business days, but can take up to five business days depending on your bank.
  • You have 30 days from the date you linked the account to enter the deposit amounts; after that, PayPal cancels the deposits and you must start over.
  • If you cannot find the deposits in your bank statement, check your bank's pending transactions, contact your bank to confirm the deposits posted, or unlink and relink the account to request new deposits.

Where to find the confirmation amounts in your bank account

The two deposits PayPal sends will show up in your bank account under the name "PAYPAL" or "PAYPAL *CONFIRM" (the exact label depends on your bank). They are real deposits — your bank will show them as posted transactions, not pending ones, though the timing varies. Most banks show them within one to two business days; some take up to five.

Log into your bank's website or app and look at your recent transactions. Search for "PAYPAL" or look for any deposits under 5 cents. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear — for example, $0.23 and $0.17. Do not round, estimate, or guess. If you cannot find them after five business days, your bank may have held them or PayPal's deposit may not have gone through.

How to enter the amounts and complete confirmation in PayPal

Once you have found both deposit amounts in your bank account, go to PayPal.com and sign in. Click on the account icon in the top right corner, then select "Account Settings" or "Wallet" (the exact name depends on whether you use PayPal.com or the app). Look for the bank account you linked — it will show a status like "Pending confirmation" or "Awaiting confirmation."

Click on that bank account. PayPal will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type them in the exact order and amounts you found in your bank statement — for example, if your deposits were $0.23 and $0.17, enter those numbers in the fields provided. Click "Confirm" or "Verify." PayPal will check your entries against the deposits they sent. If they match, your account is confirmed when ready.

What to do if you cannot find the deposits

If more than five business days have passed and you still do not see the deposits, start by checking your bank's pending transactions or transaction history going back further than usual. Some banks delay small deposits or file them separately. Call your bank's customer service line and ask whether PayPal deposits of less than 5 cents posted to your account in the last week — they can see this even if you cannot.

If your bank confirms the deposits never arrived, go back to PayPal, unlink the bank account, and link it again. PayPal will send two new deposit amounts. This time, watch for them more carefully and check your bank statement daily. If the second attempt also fails, contact PayPal's support team through your account — they can investigate whether the deposits are being blocked by your bank or whether there is a technical issue on PayPal's end.

Confirmation important date and what happens if you miss them

PayPal gives you 30 days from the date you first linked the bank account to enter the confirmation amounts. You can see the important date in your account settings next to the bank account. If you do not confirm within 30 days, PayPal cancels the two deposits and removes the bank account from your account. The money (usually less than 5 cents total) stays in your bank account — PayPal does not take it back.

If you miss the important date, you can link the same bank account again and start the confirmation process over. There is no penalty for missing the important date, but you will have to wait another one to five business days for the new deposits to arrive. If you are trying to withdraw money urgently, this delay matters — plan to confirm as soon as you see the deposits.

Why confirmation sometimes fails and how to fix it

The most common reason confirmation fails is entering the amounts incorrectly. PayPal requires the exact amounts — if the deposits were $0.23 and $0.17, entering $0.24 or $0.18 will not work. Check your bank statement again and type slowly. Some readers have also reported that their bank's app rounds very small amounts or displays them differently than the actual posted amount — if you are unsure, log into your bank's website (not the app) to see the exact amounts.

A second reason is that the deposits never posted to your account at all. This can happen if your bank blocks small transfers, if there is a mismatch between the account number you entered and your actual account number, or if PayPal's system had a temporary error. If you have checked your bank statement thoroughly and the deposits are not there, unlinking and relinking the account is the fastest fix.

What you can do once your account is confirmed

Once confirmation is complete, your bank account status will change to "Confirmed" in your PayPal account settings. You can now withdraw money from PayPal to that bank account without any limits. Transfers typically take one to three business days to appear in your bank account, depending on your bank and the time of day you request the transfer.

You only have to confirm a bank account once. If you keep the same account linked to PayPal, you will never have to do this process again. If you unlink the account and link it again later, you will need to confirm it a second time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I confirm my bank account on the PayPal app instead of the website?

Yes. The steps are the same on both the app and the website. Go to your account settings, find the bank account marked "Pending confirmation," and enter the two deposit amounts when prompted. The app and website are connected, so confirming on one automatically confirms it on the other.

What if I entered the amounts wrong and now PayPal says confirmation failed?

You can try again. PayPal usually allows multiple attempts within the 30-day window. Go back to your bank statement, double-check the exact amounts, and re-enter them. If you have already tried several times and keep getting an error, unlink the account and relink it to request new deposits.

Do I have to confirm every bank account I link to PayPal?

Yes. Each bank account you add to PayPal must be confirmed separately using the two-deposit method. If you link multiple accounts, you will go through this process for each one.

How long does it take to withdraw money after I confirm my bank account?

Once your account is confirmed, withdrawals to your bank account typically take one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank and when you request the transfer — transfers requested on weekends or holidays may take longer.

What happens to the two small deposits PayPal sent me?

They stay in your bank account. PayPal does not withdraw them after you confirm. The total is usually less than 5 cents, so most people leave it there, but you can spend it or transfer it like any other deposit.