Most ATMs accept checks, but your bank must support mobile deposit or have check-reading machines

You can deposit a check at an ATM if your bank offers this feature. Not all banks do — some only let you deposit checks through their mobile app or at a teller. Before you try, check your bank's website or call to confirm your specific ATM has a check deposit slot. The machine will either scan the check itself or you'll use your phone to photograph it first.

The two main methods are ATM check deposit (the machine reads the check directly) and mobile check deposit (you photograph the check on your phone, then deposit it at an ATM or through the app). Both are free at most banks. The process takes about two minutes at the machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Your bank must support check deposits at ATMs — not all banks do, so verify before you go.
  • You need the check, your debit card, and your PIN to deposit at an ATM with a check slot.
  • The check must be endorsed (signed on the back) with your name, and some banks require you to write "For Mobile Deposit Only" if you're using the app method.
  • Funds typically appear in your account within one to three business days, though some banks post them the same day.
  • If the ATM rejects your check, the machine will return it immediately — take it to a teller or try mobile deposit instead.

What you need before you go to the ATM

Gather the check, your debit card, and your PIN. The check must be made out to you — if it's made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it, even if they sign it over to you. Most banks no longer accept third-party checks.

Endorse the check by signing your name on the back in the space marked "Endorse here." Do not sign above that line or write anything else on the back unless your bank specifically asks you to. If you are using mobile deposit instead of the ATM machine, some banks require you to write "For Mobile Deposit Only" below your signature.

Steps to deposit a check at an ATM with a check slot

Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" or "Make a Deposit" from the menu. Choose "Check Deposit" if the machine offers multiple deposit types (some also accept cash).

The machine will ask which account to deposit into — select your checking account unless you want it to go elsewhere. Insert the check into the slot when prompted, facing the direction the machine shows you. Most machines want the front of the check facing up and the top of the check going in first. Wait for the machine to scan it and confirm the amount is correct on the screen.

The machine will display the deposit amount and ask you to confirm. Review the number — if it's wrong, cancel and try again or take the check to a teller. Once you confirm, the machine will return your card and print a receipt. Take the receipt and keep it until the deposit shows in your account.

How mobile check deposit works if your ATM doesn't have a slot

If your bank's ATM doesn't have a check deposit slot, use the bank's mobile app instead. Open the app, find "Mobile Deposit" or "Deposit Check," and follow the prompts to photograph the front and back of the check. The app will show you the amount it read — verify it matches the check.

After you submit the photos, the app will tell you the deposit is pending. You can then destroy the check or keep it for your records. Funds usually appear within one to three business days. Some banks post mobile deposits the same day if you submit before a certain time (often 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. on weekdays).

Why an ATM might reject your check

The machine will refuse a check if it cannot read it clearly, if the amount is illegible, if the signature is missing, or if the check is damaged or torn. Faded ink, creases, or writing in pen that bleeds through also cause rejections. If the machine returns your check, take it to a teller inside the bank instead — they can deposit it manually.

Checks with post-dated dates (a date in the future) may also be rejected by the ATM, though a teller can usually process them. If you're unsure why the machine rejected it, ask a bank employee or call customer service with the check in front of you.

When the deposit will show in your account

ATM check deposits typically post within one to three business days. Some banks post same-day if you deposit before a cutoff time on a weekday. Checks deposited on weekends or after the cutoff usually post the next business day, then take one or two more days to fully clear.

Your bank may make a portion of the funds available immediately (often called a "provisional credit") while the rest clears. For example, you might see $100 available today and the remaining $400 available in two days. Check your bank's deposit policy on their website or in your account settings to see their specific timeline.

What to do if you lose your receipt or the deposit doesn't appear

Keep your ATM receipt until the deposit shows in your account — it proves you made the deposit and shows the exact amount and time. If the deposit doesn't appear within the stated timeframe, log into your account and look for a pending deposit. If you see it pending, wait the full number of days before contacting the bank.

If the deposit is not pending and not posted after three business days, call your bank's customer service line with your receipt. They can search their records for the transaction and tell you whether the check cleared or was rejected. If it was rejected, the bank will tell you why and you can redeposit it or take it to a teller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to my business at a personal ATM?

No. The check must be made out to the name on the account you're depositing into. If you have a business account, you must deposit business checks into that account at a business ATM or with a teller. Personal and business accounts are separate.

What if the check amount is written differently in numbers and words?

The bank will use the amount written in words (the spelled-out version) if they don't match. For example, if the numbers say $500 but the words say "five hundred and fifty dollars," the bank deposits $550. If the difference is large or unclear, the check may be rejected. Take it to a teller to clarify with the bank.

Do I need to keep the paper check after I deposit it?

You can destroy it once the deposit posts to your account, usually after three business days. Keep it longer if you think you might need proof of the deposit. Some people keep checks for tax or record-keeping purposes, but the bank no longer needs the physical check once it's scanned.

Can I deposit a check that's already been endorsed to someone else?

No. Most banks no longer accept third-party checks — checks that have been signed over from one person to another. The check must be made out to you and endorsed only by you. If someone wants to give you money via check, ask them to write a new check in your name.

What happens if I deposit the same check twice by accident?

The bank will catch the duplicate and reject the second deposit, or they will process it and then reverse it a few days later when they discover the duplicate during clearing. If you accidentally deposit twice, contact your bank immediately to report it. They can cancel the second deposit before it posts.