PayPal confirms your bank account by sending two small deposits to it, then asking you to enter those amounts back into PayPal
When you link a bank account to PayPal, the system doesn't trust the connection until you prove you control both the PayPal account and the bank account. PayPal does this by depositing two amounts—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—into your bank account over one to two business days. You then log into PayPal, find the confirmation screen, and type in those exact amounts. Once PayPal sees you entered the right numbers, the account is confirmed and you can send and receive money.
The whole process normally takes three to five business days from the moment you add the bank account. The deposits themselves arrive within one to two business days, and you have 60 days from when you first link the account to complete the confirmation. If you don't confirm within that window, PayPal will remove the bank account and you'll have to add it again.
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 one to two business days, but you should check your bank account and PayPal at the same time each day to catch them.
- You have 60 days from linking the account to complete confirmation, or PayPal will remove it and require you to start over.
- If the deposits don't arrive after three business days, contact your bank first—they may have flagged the transfers as suspicious.
- Once confirmed, your bank account is linked to PayPal and you can withdraw money to it or use it as a payment source.
Where to find the confirmation screen in PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on a web browser (the mobile app has a different layout). Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Wallet or Account Settings, depending on your account type. Look for Bank Accounts or Linked Banks. You should see the bank account you added with a status that says Pending Confirmation or Awaiting Verification.
Click on that bank account. PayPal will show you a box labeled Confirm Your Bank Account with two empty fields. This is where you'll enter the deposit amounts once they arrive in your bank account. Do not guess or make up numbers—PayPal will reject them and you'll have to try again.
How to find the deposit amounts in your bank account
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look at your checking account transactions. The deposits will appear as coming from PayPal, usually labeled something like "PayPal" or "PAYPAL INC." They are real money—not pending, not holds—so they will show in your available balance. The amounts are typically small: $0.01, $0.05, $0.23, or similar combinations that add up to less than $1.00.
Write down both amounts exactly as they appear. If your bank shows $0.01 and $0.47, enter those numbers in the same order into PayPal's confirmation fields. Do not include dollar signs or commas. If the amounts don't match what you enter, PayPal will tell you the confirmation failed and you can try again.
If you don't see the deposits after two business days, check your spam or junk folder in case your bank sent a notification email. Some banks also flag small transfers as suspicious and hold them temporarily. Contact your bank's customer service and ask whether they blocked or delayed any transfers from PayPal.
What happens after you enter the amounts
Once you type in both deposit amounts and click Confirm, PayPal processes the verification when ready. The status of your bank account will change from Pending Confirmation to Confirmed within seconds. You'll see a confirmation message on the screen.
After confirmation, PayPal automatically withdraws the two test deposits back out of your bank account within one to three business days. You don't need to do anything—this happens automatically. Your bank account is now fully linked and you can use it to withdraw PayPal balance to your bank, or set it as your default payment method for purchases.
If the deposits don't arrive or confirmation fails
If three business days have passed and you still don't see the deposits, the problem is usually on your bank's side, not PayPal's. Some banks block or delay transfers from payment platforms as a fraud precaution. Call your bank's customer service number and tell them you're expecting two small deposits from PayPal. Ask them to check whether the transfers were blocked, delayed, or flagged for review.
If your bank confirms the deposits were blocked, ask them to whitelist PayPal or allow the transfers through. Then wait another business day for the deposits to arrive. If your bank says they never received the transfers, the issue is with PayPal's connection to your bank—this is rare, but it happens with some smaller or regional banks. In that case, remove the bank account from PayPal and try adding it again, making sure the account number and routing number are exactly correct.
If you enter the deposit amounts and PayPal says they're wrong, you may have misread them. Check your bank account again and make sure you're entering the exact amounts. If you're certain the amounts are correct and PayPal still rejects them, wait 24 hours and try again—sometimes PayPal's system needs time to sync. If it fails a second time, contact PayPal's support team through the Help Center and explain that confirmation is failing despite correct amounts.
Timing and what to expect at each step
| Step | Timeline | What you'll see |
|---|---|---|
| Add bank account to PayPal | when ready | Account shows as "Pending Confirmation" in Wallet |
| PayPal sends deposits | 1–2 business days | Two small amounts appear in your bank account |
| You enter amounts in PayPal | when ready | Status changes to "Confirmed" |
| PayPal withdraws test deposits | 1–3 business days | Two small amounts disappear from your bank account |
| Bank account fully active | After withdrawal | You can withdraw PayPal balance or use as payment source |
Business days mean Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you add your bank account on a Friday afternoon, the deposits may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends and holidays pause the clock.
Why PayPal requires this confirmation step
The two-deposit method proves you own the bank account without requiring you to upload documents or wait for a person to review your information. It's faster than other verification methods and it works the same way for every bank in the United States. PayPal uses this process because it's nearly impossible to fake—you have to have access to the actual bank account to see the deposit amounts and enter them correctly.
This also protects you. If someone else tried to link your bank account to their PayPal account without your permission, they wouldn't be able to complete confirmation because they can't see your bank statements. The confirmation step is a security feature, not a bureaucratic hurdle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my bank account before it's confirmed?
No. Until the status shows "Confirmed," you cannot withdraw money to that bank account or use it as a payment source. You can still receive money into your PayPal balance, but you'll need a confirmed bank account or another payment method to move it out.
What if I entered the wrong amounts and now I'm locked out?
You're not locked out. Go back to the confirmation screen and try again with the correct amounts. PayPal allows multiple attempts. If you can't find the deposit amounts, check your bank account again or contact your bank to confirm the transfers arrived.
Do the test deposits cost me anything?
No. The deposits are free and your bank will not charge you a fee for receiving them. When PayPal withdraws them a few days later, that's also free. You keep the money in your account until PayPal pulls it back out.
What if I lose track of the 60-day important date?
If 60 days pass without confirmation, PayPal removes the bank account from your wallet. You'll have to add it again and go through the entire confirmation process a second time. There's no penalty, but it means waiting another three to five days for the deposits to arrive.
Can I confirm a bank account that's not in my name?
No. The bank account must be registered to the same person whose name is on the PayPal account. If you're trying to link someone else's account, PayPal will reject it during the initial linking step, before the deposits are even sent.