What a deposit ticket is and why you need one
A deposit ticket is a form that tells your bank where the money you're depositing should go. It has your account number on it, space to list what you're depositing (cash, checks, or both), and a total amount. When you hand it to a teller along with your money, the ticket is your proof of what you gave them and which account it belongs to.
You need one because banks process hundreds of deposits a day. Without a ticket, the teller wouldn't know whose account to credit or how much you intended to deposit. Some banks print deposit tickets with your account information already filled in and send them to you with your checkbook. Others keep blank ones at the counter. Either way, you fill in the same information.
Key Takeaways
- Write your account number on every deposit ticket, even if it's pre-printed, because it's how the bank knows which account gets the money.
- List each check separately by the amount, and add all checks plus cash to get a total that goes at the bottom.
- The teller will stamp or initial the ticket and give you a copy as your receipt—keep it until the deposit shows up in your account.
- If your bank offers mobile deposit, you can photograph checks instead of going to the branch, but the same information goes on the ticket.
- Deposit tickets are free and available at your bank's branch or come pre-printed in your checkbook.
The sections of a deposit ticket and what goes in each
A standard deposit ticket has five main areas. At the top is your name and account number—this is usually pre-printed if the ticket came with your checkbook, but you should verify it's correct before you hand it in. If you're using a blank ticket from the counter, you'll write your name and account number here yourself.
Below that is a section for listing checks. Each check gets its own line. You write the amount of the check in the space provided. If you're depositing five checks, you list all five amounts, one per line. The bank doesn't need the check number or the person's name—just the dollar amount.
Next is a line for cash. You write the total amount of bills and coins you're depositing here. If you're depositing only checks, you can leave this blank or write zero.
At the bottom is a subtotal line. Add up all your checks and your cash, and write that number here. This is the total amount of the deposit. The teller will verify this matches what you've listed above.
Some tickets also have a line for the date. Write today's date in the format your bank uses—usually MM/DD/YYYY. If the date line is blank, the teller will add it when they process the ticket.
Step-by-step: filling out a deposit ticket
Step 1: Verify your account number. Look at the top of the ticket. If it's pre-printed, make sure the number matches your account. If it's blank, write your account number in the space provided. Your account number is on your debit card, your checks, or your account statement.
Step 2: Write the date. If there's a date line, write today's date. If the line is already filled in or doesn't exist, skip this.
Step 3: List each check. Write the dollar amount of the first check on the first line under "checks." Write the second check's amount on the second line. Continue for every check you're depositing. Write the amount in the rightmost column, aligned with the dollar sign if there is one.
Step 4: Write your cash total. If you're depositing cash, write the total amount on the "cash" line. Count your bills and coins before you write this number so it's accurate.
Step 5: Add everything up. Add all the check amounts plus the cash amount. Write this total on the subtotal or total line at the bottom. This is the amount the teller will credit to your account.
Step 6: Sign the ticket if required. Some banks ask you to sign the back of the ticket. Check if there's a signature line and sign it if there is. Not all banks require this.
What happens after you hand the ticket to the teller
The teller will take your deposit ticket, your checks, and your cash. They will verify that the amounts you listed match what you've actually given them. If everything is correct, they will stamp or initial the ticket and hand you a copy. This copy is your receipt—keep it until you see the deposit in your account, usually within one business day.
The teller will then process the deposit. Checks are sent to a clearing house, which collects them from the other banks and credits your account. Cash is counted and added to your account immediately. The ticket itself becomes part of your bank's record of the transaction.
If there's a discrepancy—if the amounts don't match or if a check is damaged—the teller will tell you before they process it. You can correct the ticket and resubmit it, or ask the teller what the problem is.
Common mistakes to avoid on a deposit ticket
The most common mistake is writing the wrong account number. Double-check before you hand the ticket in. If you deposit to the wrong account, the bank can usually move the money, but it takes time and a phone call to fix.
Another mistake is listing checks twice—once in the check section and again in the total. Write each check amount only once, on its own line in the checks section. Then add all of those amounts together for the total.
Some people forget to add up the checks and cash correctly. Use a calculator or add on paper before you write the total. The teller will catch it if it's wrong, but it slows down the process.
Writing illegibly is also common. Use a pen, not a pencil, and write clearly. The teller needs to read the amounts, and your receipt needs to be legible so you can verify it later.
Finally, don't assume the ticket is correct just because it came with your checkbook. Account numbers change, and pre-printed tickets can be outdated. Always verify your current account number before you deposit.
Deposit tickets for mobile and ATM deposits
If your bank offers mobile deposit, you photograph the front and back of each check using your phone and submit them through the bank's app. You don't fill out a physical ticket, but you do enter the same information: your account number, the check amounts, and the total. The app creates a digital record that works the same way a paper ticket does.
ATM deposits work differently. Some ATMs accept envelopes with a deposit ticket inside. You fill out the ticket the same way, put it in the envelope with your checks and cash, and insert the envelope into the machine. The ATM reads the ticket and credits your account. Other ATMs accept checks and cash directly without a ticket—the machine scans the check and counts the cash automatically.
Check your bank's website or ask a teller which deposit methods are available to you. Mobile deposit is usually the fastest if your bank offers it, because there's no processing delay at a branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to write the check number on the deposit ticket?
No. The bank only needs the dollar amount of each check. The check number is on the check itself, and the bank's system will read it when the check clears. Writing it on the ticket is optional and doesn't affect the deposit.
What if I make a mistake on the deposit ticket?
If you catch it before you hand it to the teller, cross out the mistake, write the correct number, and initial the change. If the teller has already processed it, ask them to stop and correct it. If you've already left the branch, call your bank and explain the error. They can usually fix it within a business day.
Can I deposit checks that are made out to someone else?
Not usually. A check is a legal document made out to a specific person. If the check is made out to you, you can deposit it. If it's made out to someone else, that person needs to sign the back and deposit it themselves, or sign it over to you (called a third-party deposit), though many banks no longer allow third-party deposits. Ask your bank about their policy.
Do I need a deposit ticket if I'm depositing only cash?
It depends on your bank. Some banks require a ticket for any deposit. Others will accept cash without one if you're at the teller window. It's safer to use a ticket because it creates a record of what you deposited. Ask your teller if you're unsure.
How long does it take for a deposited check to clear?
Most checks clear within one to two business days. The bank credits your account immediately, but the money is technically not yours until the check clears and the other bank confirms it's good. If the check bounces, the bank will deduct the amount from your account. This is why it's important to keep your deposit receipt until you see the money in your account.