Why Venmo asks you to verify your bank account
Venmo needs to confirm that you own the bank account you're connecting to it. This protects you from fraud — someone else can't link your account to their Venmo profile and drain it. Verification also lets Venmo move money in and out of your account reliably, which is why the service won't let you send or receive large amounts until you've completed it.
The process is straightforward and takes a few minutes. Venmo will make two small deposits into your bank account (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each), and you'll tell Venmo the amounts you see. Once you confirm those amounts, your account is verified.
Key Takeaways
- Venmo verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to report them back.
- Check your bank account online or by phone within three to five business days of linking it to Venmo.
- You'll enter the two deposit amounts into Venmo to complete verification.
- Until verification is complete, you may face limits on how much money you can send or receive.
- If the deposits don't appear, contact your bank to confirm the account is active and not blocking transfers.
How to link your bank account to Venmo
Open the Venmo app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Select Settings, then Payment Methods. Tap Add Bank Account. You'll be asked to choose between linking your account through your bank's website (the faster route) or entering your account details manually.
If your bank appears in Venmo's list, select it and log in with your banking credentials. Venmo will then ask permission to connect — you're not giving Venmo your password, only permission to see your account. If your bank isn't listed, you can enter your routing number and account number by hand. You'll find both on a check or in your bank's online portal.
After you've linked the account, Venmo will tell you that verification is in progress. The two test deposits usually arrive within three to five business days.
Where 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 transfers from Venmo, usually labeled something like "Venmo Test Deposit" or "Venmo Verification." Write down both amounts exactly as they appear — if one says $0.05 and the other says $0.12, you'll need to enter those numbers precisely.
If you can't find them after five business days, check that you linked the correct account. Some people accidentally link a savings account instead of checking, or link an account at a different bank than they thought. If you're certain the account is correct, contact your bank's customer service to ask whether transfers from Venmo are being blocked.
Entering the amounts to complete verification
Return to the Venmo app and go back to Settings > Payment Methods. Find the bank account you linked and tap it. You should see a prompt asking for the two deposit amounts. Enter them in the order Venmo asks — usually the smaller amount first, then the larger one, though Venmo will tell you which goes where.
Once you've entered both amounts correctly, tap Verify or Confirm. Venmo will process your submission when ready. If the amounts match what Venmo deposited, your account will be verified within seconds, and you'll see a confirmation message.
What happens if you enter the wrong amounts
Venmo will tell you the amounts don't match and ask you to try again. You have multiple attempts, so don't worry if you misread a number the first time. Go back to your bank account, double-check the deposit amounts, and re-enter them.
If you've tried several times and keep getting an error, the amounts you're seeing in your bank may not be the ones Venmo sent. This sometimes happens if your bank rounds the amounts or displays them differently. Contact Venmo's support team through the app — tap the menu, select Help, then Contact Us — and explain that you can't match the deposits. They can either resend the deposits or verify your account manually.
Sending and receiving money before verification is complete
Venmo limits how much you can send to other people before your bank account is verified. The exact limit changes, but it's usually between $300 and $500 per week. You can still receive money from other people without verification, and you can send money using a debit card instead of your bank account if you need to move more than the limit.
Once your bank account is verified, these limits increase significantly — usually to several thousand dollars per week. Verification also makes transfers faster and more reliable, so it's worth completing even if you don't when ready need to send large amounts.
Removing or changing your bank account after verification
If you need to link a different bank account, go to Settings > Payment Methods, find the account you want to remove, and tap the delete or trash icon. You can then add a new account and go through the verification process again.
If you're switching banks, you don't have to wait for the new account to be verified before removing the old one — Venmo will let you delete it when ready. However, any pending transfers to the old account will fail, so make sure nothing is in flight before you remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does bank account verification take?
The test deposits usually arrive within three to five business days. Once you enter the amounts, verification completes when ready. The whole process typically takes a week, though it can be faster if your bank processes transfers quickly.
Can I verify my account with a savings account instead of checking?
Yes, Venmo accepts both checking and savings accounts. However, transfers from savings accounts sometimes take longer because of banking rules around how often you can move money out. Checking accounts are usually faster.
What if my bank is blocking Venmo transfers?
Some banks flag Venmo as a third-party service and block it by default. Call your bank's customer service number and ask them to allow transfers to and from Venmo. They may ask you to confirm the request in writing or through your online banking portal.
Do I have to verify my bank account to use Venmo?
You don't have to verify to receive money or to send small amounts. However, verification unlocks higher sending limits and makes transfers more reliable. If you plan to use Venmo regularly, it's worth completing.
Can someone else verify a bank account on my Venmo profile?
No. Venmo requires you to log in to your own account and enter the deposit amounts yourself. If someone else has access to your Venmo password, change it when ready and contact Venmo support.