How to Put a Check Into Your Bank Account

The three ways to deposit a check

You can deposit a check at an ATM, through your bank's mobile app, or by walking into a branch. ATM deposit is fastest if your bank has one nearby — the machine reads the check and credits your account within one business day. Mobile deposit (sometimes called remote deposit capture) takes a photo of the front and back of the check and works from anywhere, also posting within one business day. In-person deposit at a teller is the slowest route but guarantees someone verifies the check is filled out correctly before it enters the system.

Which method you use depends on what your bank offers and what time it is. If it's 11 p.m. on a Friday, the ATM or app are your only options. If the check is damaged, torn, or the writing is unclear, a teller can tell you on the spot whether the bank will take it. Most people use whichever method is fastest for their situation.

Key Takeaways

ATM and mobile app deposits post within one business day, while teller deposits may take longer depending on when you arrive and how busy the branch is.
The check must be endorsed (signed on the back) before deposit, and the signature must match the name printed on the front.
Mobile deposit requires you to photograph both sides of the check clearly — blurry images or missing information will be rejected.
Checks deposited after the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 5 p.m. on weekdays) are treated as received the next business day.
If a check bounces or is returned unpaid, the bank will reverse the deposit and may charge you a fee.

What information the bank needs on the check

The check must have your name printed on it as the payee (the person the money is being paid to). If the check says "Pay to the order of" and your name is not there, or if your name is spelled differently than it appears on your account, the bank may reject it. Some banks will accept a check made out to a slightly different version of your name — "Robert" instead of "Bob", for instance — but this varies by bank and by how different the names are.

The check also needs a signature from the person who wrote it (the payer). If the signature line is blank, the check is not valid and the bank will not take it. You will need to contact the person who gave you the check and ask them to sign it.

Before you deposit, you must sign the back of the check yourself. This is called endorsing the check. Write your signature on the back, usually in the space marked "Endorse here". Some banks ask you to write "For deposit only" above your signature, which prevents someone else from cashing the check if it gets lost. This is optional but recommended.

How to deposit through a mobile app

Open your bank's app and look for "Mobile Deposit", "Remote Deposit", or "Deposit Check" — the exact name varies by bank. You will be asked to select which account the money should go into (checking, savings, or another account you hold). Then you photograph the front of the check, making sure the entire check is visible and the image is not blurry. The app will show you what it captured and ask you to confirm. Take a second photo of the back of the check, which must show your signature.

After you submit both photos, the app tells you the amount it read from the check and asks you to confirm that amount is correct. If the app misread the number, you can type the correct amount. Once you confirm, the deposit is submitted. The bank will send you a notification when the check has been processed, usually within one business day. At that point, the money appears in your account.

Do not deposit the physical check again after using mobile deposit. Some banks ask you to keep the check for a certain number of days (often 14 days) in case there is a problem, then destroy it. Other banks ask you to destroy it when ready. Check your bank's instructions in the app.

How to deposit at an ATM

Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" or "Make a Deposit". The machine will ask you which account to deposit into. Insert the check into the slot — the ATM will tell you which direction. Some ATMs accept multiple checks at once; others take one at a time. The machine reads the check amount and displays it on the screen. Confirm the amount is correct. If it is wrong, you can cancel and try again, or remove the check and deposit it a different way.

Once you confirm, the ATM keeps the check and gives you a receipt showing the amount deposited and the date. The money posts to your account within one business day. If the ATM rejects the check (because it is torn, the amount is unreadable, or the signature is missing), it will return the check to you. Take it to a teller instead.

How to deposit at a bank branch

Walk in during business hours with your check and your debit card or ID. Tell the teller you want to deposit a check. Hand over the check and tell them which account it should go into. The teller will verify that your name matches the payee, that the check is signed, and that the amount is legible. They will ask you to endorse the check if you have not already. They will then process the deposit, give you a receipt, and tell you when the money will appear in your account.

In-person deposit is useful if the check is damaged, if the amount is hard to read, or if you are not sure whether the check is valid. The teller can answer questions on the spot. It is also the only option if your bank does not offer ATM or mobile deposit, though most banks now offer at least one of these.

When the money actually appears in your account

The deposit posts to your account within one business day of when the bank receives it. A check deposited at an ATM or through the app before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 5 p.m. on weekdays, depending on the bank) is treated as received that day. A check deposited after cutoff or on a weekend is treated as received the next business day. From that point, the bank usually makes the funds available within one business day, so the total time is one to two business days.

Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays. A check deposited on Friday evening may not post until Tuesday. The bank's website or app will tell you the cutoff time for your branch and the expected posting date for any deposit you make.

The bank may place a hold on the funds for longer than one business day if the check is large, if you are a new customer, or if the check is from an unfamiliar bank. A hold means the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it yet. The bank will notify you of any hold and when it will be lifted. Holds are legal and common, though they are frustrating.

What happens if the check bounces

If the person who wrote the check does not have enough money in their account, the check will bounce (be returned unpaid). The bank will reverse the deposit, removing the money from your account. You will see a transaction showing the reversal, and the bank may charge you a fee for the returned check — this fee varies by bank but is often $10 to $15.

The person who wrote the check will also be charged a fee by their bank. You should contact them and ask them to write you a new check or pay you another way. If they refuse or cannot pay, the check is a loss for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you by name. If someone else's name is on the check, the bank will reject it. If the check is made out to you and another person, you may both need to sign it and deposit it together, depending on your bank's rules.

What if I lose the check after I deposit it through the app?

The bank has a photo of both sides, so losing the physical check does not affect the deposit. However, keep the check for the number of days your bank specifies (usually 14 days) in case the bank needs to verify it later. After that, shred or destroy it.

Can I deposit a check that is post-dated?

A post-dated check is one with a future date written on it. Banks are not required to honor the date and may process it when ready. If you receive a post-dated check, contact your bank before depositing to ask whether they will wait until the date on the check or process it right away.

Why is my check still not in my account after two days?

The bank may have placed a hold on the funds, or the check may have been rejected because the amount was unreadable, the signature was missing, or the payee name did not match your account. Check your bank's app or call the bank to see whether the deposit went through and whether a hold is in place.

Do I need to tell the person who wrote the check that I deposited it?

No. Once you deposit the check, it is between you and the bank. The person who wrote it will see it on their own bank statement when it clears.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.