PayPal verifies your bank account by sending two small deposits and asking you to confirm the amounts
When you link a bank account to PayPal, the company sends two deposits of less than a dollar each to that account within one to two business days. You then log into PayPal, enter those exact amounts, and confirm the account is yours. This process protects both you and PayPal — it proves you control the account and that the routing and account numbers are correct before PayPal lets you withdraw money or use the account as a backup payment method.
The verification step is required before you can transfer money out of PayPal to that bank account. You can still receive payments and make purchases before verification is complete, but you cannot move your balance to the linked account until PayPal has confirmed those two deposits matched what you entered.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your linked bank account within one to two business days of you adding it.
- You must log into PayPal, find the verification prompt, and enter both deposit amounts exactly as they appear in your bank statement.
- Once you confirm the amounts, your account is verified and you can withdraw money to that bank account when ready.
- If the deposits do not arrive within five business days, or if you enter the wrong amounts three times, you will need to remove and re-add the account.
- Some banks hold small deposits for longer than others, so check your full transaction history, not just recent activity.
Where to find the verification prompt in PayPal
After you add a bank account to PayPal, a verification banner appears on your Account page. Log into PayPal, go to Wallet (or Settings on mobile), then select Banks and Cards. Find the bank account you just linked — it will show a status of "Pending" or "Awaiting Verification" next to it.
Click or tap on that account. PayPal will show you a message asking you to confirm the two deposits. The exact wording varies, but it will say something like "We sent two deposits to your bank account. Enter the amounts below to confirm you own this account." Do not click anything else on this page — this is where you enter the deposit amounts once they arrive.
How to find the deposit amounts in your bank statement
The two deposits from PayPal will appear in your bank account under the name "PAYPAL" or "PAYPAL TRANSFER" or sometimes "PAYPAL INC". They are not labeled as verification deposits, so you have to look at your transaction history carefully. Log into your bank's website or app and check your recent transactions — look for anything from PayPal in the last one to two business days.
The amounts are usually random and small, often between $0.01 and $0.99 each. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear, including any cents. If you see only one deposit after two business days, wait another day or two — some banks process deposits on different schedules. If you still see only one after five business days, the second deposit may not have gone through, and you will need to remove the account from PayPal and add it again.
Entering the amounts and completing verification
Once you have both deposit amounts from your bank statement, go back to the PayPal verification page. Enter the first amount in the first field and the second amount in the second field. The order does not matter — PayPal will accept them in either order. Click Confirm or Verify (the button label varies by device).
PayPal will process your confirmation when ready. If the amounts match, you will see a success message and your account status will change to "Verified" within seconds. You can now withdraw money to this account. If the amounts do not match, PayPal will tell you and let you try again. You have three attempts before PayPal locks you out and requires you to remove and re-add the account.
What to do if the deposits do not arrive
If you do not see the two PayPal deposits in your bank account after five business days, the deposits may have been rejected or lost. This sometimes happens if your routing number or account number was entered incorrectly when you linked the account. Remove the account from PayPal and add it again, double-checking every digit of your routing number and account number against a blank check or your bank statement.
If the deposits still do not arrive after you re-add the account, contact your bank directly and ask whether they rejected any small deposits from PayPal. Some banks block transfers from payment services if they do not recognize them. Your bank can tell you whether the deposits were rejected and why, and they can help you fix any settings that might be blocking them.
If you enter the wrong amounts three times
PayPal allows three attempts to enter the correct deposit amounts. If you enter wrong amounts all three times, PayPal will lock the verification process and you will not be able to verify that account without removing it first. Go to Wallet or Banks and Cards, find the account, and select Remove or Delete. Then add the account again from the beginning.
Before you re-add the account, make absolutely sure you have the correct amounts from your bank statement. Some readers confuse the two deposits with other small transactions, or they misread the cents. Check your bank statement one more time and write the amounts on paper before you enter them into PayPal.
Using your verified bank account
Once your account is verified, you can withdraw your PayPal balance to that bank account at any time. Go to Wallet, select the verified account, and choose Transfer Money or Withdraw. Enter the amount you want to move and confirm. The money usually arrives in your bank account within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
You can also set a verified bank account as your backup payment method, which means PayPal will pull money from that account if your PayPal balance is too low to cover a purchase. This is optional — you do not have to use the account for anything other than withdrawals if you do not want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I verify a bank account that is not in my name?
No. PayPal requires that the bank account you link belongs to you and matches the name on your PayPal account. If the names do not match, PayPal will reject the account or flag it for review. If you need to use someone else's account, you will need to contact PayPal directly to discuss your situation.
What if I do not see the verification page after I add my bank account?
The verification prompt may take a few minutes to appear. Refresh your PayPal page or log out and log back in. If it still does not appear, the deposits may not have been sent yet — wait one to two business days and check again. If more than two business days have passed and you still do not see the prompt, remove the account and re-add it.
Do I have to verify my bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can receive payments and make purchases with PayPal without verifying a bank account. You only need verification if you want to withdraw your PayPal balance to a bank account. If you only use PayPal to send money or pay for things, you do not need to verify anything.
How long does verification take after I enter the amounts?
Verification is when ready. As soon as you enter the correct amounts and click confirm, PayPal will verify your account and you will see a success message. You can withdraw money to that account when ready after.
Can I verify multiple bank accounts with one PayPal account?
Yes. You can link and verify as many bank accounts as you want to a single PayPal account. Each account goes through the same two-deposit verification process. You can then choose which verified account you want to withdraw to each time you transfer money.