How long does it take for a check to clear through mobile deposit

How can we help you?

We matched that to:

On business days*, Monday-Friday, deposits before 8pm are typically available the following business day. (For example, if you make a deposit at noon on Monday, the funds will be available on Tuesday.)

When you make a mobile deposit on the weekend or holiday, the deposit is considered made on the next business day and funds are typically available in one additional business day. (For example, if you make a deposit on a Sunday, the funds will be available on Tuesday.)

*Business days are non-holiday weekdays. Holidays and weekends are not business days.

Please refer to the Mobile Deposit Addendum (PDF) for the Terms & Conditions of TD Mobile Deposit.

back to topTop

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Mobile check deposit can make adding money to your bank account quick and easy, without having to pay a visit to a branch. If your employer issues paper paychecks, you receive checks for rebates or refunds or someone pays you money they owe you via a personal check, you can simply snap a photo of the check to deposit it using your mobile device.

Not sure how mobile check deposit works, if it’s safe or whether you should be using it? Here’s a closer look at this useful mobile banking feature.

What Is Mobile Check Deposit?

Mobile check deposit is a mobile banking tool that allows you to deposit checks to your bank account using your mobile device. Instead of depositing checks at the ATM, your bank’s drive-through window or with a teller inside the lobby, you can add them to your account from wherever you happen to be, whether that’s at home, at work or on vacation.

The types of checks you may be able to add to your account using mobile check deposit include personal checks, business checks, cashier’s checks and government-issued checks. This includes tax refunds and stimulus checks, such as those provided by the CARES Act. Your bank or credit union may or may not allow you to use mobile check deposits for foreign checks, third-party checks, money orders or traveler’s checks, so confirm your financial institution’s policies first.

How Does Mobile Check Deposit Work?

Mobile check deposit works using remote deposit capture technology. When you take a photo of your check, it’s similar to scanning a photograph or document to make a digital copy on your computer.

Here’s a simple guide to what mobile check deposit generally looks like in action:

• You download your bank’s mobile banking app, if you haven’t already, and create your unique login.
• You then log in to the app and find mobile check deposit in the menu.
• Next, sign the back of the check the way you would if you were depositing it at a branch (or according to the instructions provided by the bank’s app for how to endorse a check).
• Choose the account where you want to deposit the check.
• Enter the check amount.
• Take a photo of the front and back of the check using your mobile device’s camera.
• Review the deposit details, then hit submit, if they’re correct, to process your deposit.

More banks and credit unions are offering mobile check deposit as a convenient way for customers to add money to their accounts. If you’re unsure whether your financial institution offers mobile check deposit, you can go online or contact your branch and someone there should be able to tell you if it’s available for your account.

The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act allows banks to accept substitute mobile deposit checks if they’re the legal equivalent of a physical check. That’s what remote deposit capture allows—the substitution of a digital form of your check for a paper one.

Once you scan and upload the photos of your check and submit your deposit request, the information is encrypted and transmitted to your bank. The check then follows the standard steps for processing and clearing so the funds can deposit into your account.

How To Endorse a Check for Mobile Deposit

To submit a mobile check deposit, you first have to sign the back of it. This is the same as endorsing a paper check that you deposit at a branch or via an ATM. But there’s one more piece of information you have to add. On the back of the check underneath your signature, you’ll need to write the words “for mobile deposit only” or some variation, depending on your bank or credit union’s requirements. This addition is required under Federal Regulation CC. Without it, your financial institution may refuse to honor the mobile check deposit and the money won’t be credited to your account.

Aside from knowing how to endorse a mobile deposit check, here are a few other tips:

• Write in pen, preferably blue or black ink that won’t smear.
• Sign your name the same way that you would any other document.
• Write legibly and clearly.
• Don’t write anything other than your signature and your institution’s required variation of “for mobile deposit only.”

Correctly endorsing a check for mobile deposit can reduce the likelihood of the deposit’s being rejected. You’ll want to follow these rules whether you’re preparing a personal check, a certified check or a mobile deposit cashier’s check.

Tips for Using Mobile Check Deposit

If you think mobile check deposit could be a valuable banking feature, there are a few things to consider when using it.

Know Mobile Check Deposit Limits

First, review your bank’s mobile check deposit limit policies so you’ll know how much you can deposit. Banks can impose limits on how much money you can deposit:

• Per mobile check deposit transaction
• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly

If you’re logged in to your bank’s mobile app, you should be able to view the deposit limits. If not, you can check your account agreement or contact your bank to ask about limits for mobile check deposit.

Be Clear About Mobile Check Deposit Funds Availability

It’s important to know when the money deposited via a mobile check will be available to you. Each bank and credit union has a funds availability policy. But a bank can hold a mobile check deposit for specific reasons, which means your check might take longer to clear.

For example, the bank could impose a hold if:

• You’re depositing a large check.
• There have been frequent overdrafts in your account.
• You’ve had a deposited check returned unpaid in the past.
• It’s believed that a deposited check may not be paid for any reason.

If the bank plans to place a hold on the deposit, you may receive a notification before finalizing a mobile check deposit. You’d then have the option to continue with the mobile deposit or take the check to a branch instead. Check with your bank to see the policy for holding deposits and how quickly your mobile check deposits should clear.

Other Mobile Check Deposit Tips

• Take note of exclusions. Note any types of checks the bank excludes from depositing through mobile banking. And ask about what it may cost to use your bank’s mobile check deposit app.
• Keep fees in mind. While mobile check deposit is typically free, check to see whether there are any fees involved. For instance, if your bank gives you the option to make an express deposit using your mobile device, you may have to pay a fee for accelerated processing.
• Avoid common errors. Make sure that your signature on paper checks is legible and that the photos you take are clear. You also should compare the amount of the check to what you’ve entered to avoid a mismatch when trying to submit a deposit. Simple errors like these can cause your mobile check deposit to be rejected.
• Don’t trash the check just yet. Don’t discard the paper check immediately. If something goes wrong with your mobile check deposit, you may need to deposit the paper check instead. Hold on to the check and, after the mobile check deposit clears, you can safely destroy the paper check or void it and keep it on file.

Mobile Check Deposit Pros

There are plenty of reasons you may choose to use your bank’s mobile check deposit feature, starting with convenience. Depositing checks using your mobile device may be more accessible and less time-consuming than driving to a branch or ATM. And if you bank with an online-only bank with no physical branches, mobile check deposit is generally faster than mailing in a check.

Mobile check deposit can also be easy to use. That’s because the mobile check deposit feature within apps generally offers a user-friendly experience, even for low-tech customers. If you can work the camera on your phone or tablet and you know how to download an app, then you can use mobile check deposit.

Finally, there’s the security factor. Depositing a paper check via mobile deposit can be as safe and secure as taking the money to a branch.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros of mobile check deposit:

• It’s convenient.
• It’s easy to use.
• It’s secure.

Mobile Check Deposit Cons

While there’s a lot to like about mobile check deposit, there are some potential downsides. Technical difficulties, for example, could make it impossible to use your mobile check deposit app if there’s a glitch. And you may not be able to use mobile check deposit if the check you need to deposit is above the limit allowed by the bank.

Aside from those considerations, here are a few other things to keep in mind.

Banks Can Return a Deposit Even After You Receive Confirmation

Confirmation of a mobile deposit isn’t a guarantee that it won’t be returned. If the check bounces because the person who wrote it doesn’t have enough money in their account to cover it, your mobile deposit could be reversed. And your bank could charge you a fee for the bad check.

Checks Must Be Endorsed

For a mobile check deposit to be processed, it has to be appropriately endorsed. If you’re not following the rules—signing it and writing some version of “for mobile deposit only” on the back—then there’s a chance the deposit could be rejected. You’d have to redeposit the check, which can add to the waiting time until it clears your account.

You Should Hold On to the Paper Check

As mentioned above, just because you deposit a check through your bank’s mobile app doesn’t mean you can toss out the check. If there’s a problem with the deposit—the check isn’t properly endorsed or there’s a glitch with your mobile banking app—then you may need to make a second attempt at mobile deposit or take it to a branch for deposit. Even if your mobile deposit appears to go off without a hitch, it can still be a good idea to hold on to the paper check after it clears, just in case there’s a problem later.

Is Mobile Check Deposit Safe?

If you’re concerned about protecting your banking information online, you may be wondering whether mobile check deposit is safe to use. The short answer is that mobile check deposit is as secure as your other online and mobile banking functions.

This means if your bank or credit union is taking steps to protect your information, such as using encryption and enhanced security measures, then mobile check deposits should be protected in the same ways. The main threats to mobile banking security are the same as those for online and mobile banking in general. But mobile deposits can also be a target for scammers.

Mobile Check Deposit Scams

Mobile deposit check scams can take different forms. For example, it’s possible to be targeted with a remote deposit capture scam, in which you’re asked to deposit a fake check. It’s one of several common bank scams. Fortunately, you can protect yourself against this type of mobile deposit check scam by only accepting paper checks from people you know and trust.

If you’re concerned about security risks with mobile banking deposit, there are other ways to safeguard your information, including:

• Avoiding the use of public Wi-Fi to access your banking details
• Using a virtual private network (VPN) to access your accounts away from home
• Relying on unique passwords and updating them regularly
• Using an online password keeper to protect your passwords
• Setting up multi-factor authentication to log in to your bank accounts
• Locking your mobile device using a unique pincode or biometric identification (i.e., facial or fingerprint recognition)

Together, these steps can help enhance security when using your mobile device to deposit checks, review your balances or carry out other online banking activities.

What To Do if Mobile Check Deposit Doesn’t Work

Mobile check deposit not working? It could be because of an error on your end in depositing the check. In that case, you’d want to double-check your signature and endorsement, the amount you entered for the deposit and the quality of your check photos. Getting a mobile check deposit to go through may be as simple as snapping a new picture of the front and back of the check and then resubmitting it.

If your mobile check deposit is not working and you think you’ve done everything correctly, there may be a problem with your mobile banking app. In that case, you can reach out to your bank or credit union to ask if the app is down and, if so, when mobile check deposit may be restored. You can also ask about other deposit options in the meantime if you need to add the check to your account ASAP.

Banks With Mobile Check Deposit

Many banks and credit unions, large and small, offer mobile check deposit. The easiest way to find out if your financial institution offers mobile check deposit is to check your banking app or call the bank or credit union.

Here are some banks that offer mobile check deposit:

• Ally Bank
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase Bank
• Citi®
• Discover Bank
• PNC Bank
• Truist Bank
• U.S. Bank
• Wells Fargo

Keep in mind that the amount you can deposit via mobile check, the types of checks accepted and your funds availability with mobile check deposit can vary from institution to institution.

Find The Best Online Banks Of 2022

Bottom Line

Mobile check deposit can be a convenient way to handle deposits to a checking, savings or money market account. There are plenty of banks and credit unions that offer mobile check deposit as an option. If your financial institution doesn’t offer it, you may want to consider opening an account elsewhere. Aside from mobile deposit check features, here’s what to consider when switching banks.

Find The Best Online Banks Of 2022

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do you do with a check after mobile deposit?

After making a mobile check deposit, don’t throw the check away. Hold onto it until the deposit has cleared your account for at least five days, after which you may destroy it.

What should I write on the back of a check for mobile deposit?

When submitting a check for mobile deposit, you’ll need to endorse it by signing your name. Under your signature, you’ll also need to write some variation of the words “for mobile deposit only,” depending on what your bank or credit union requires. Banking regulations require this information and, without it, your mobile check deposit may be rejected.

How long does a mobile check deposit take?

Depending on the bank, funds deposited via mobile check deposit may be available as soon as the next day. Banks have funds availability policies that determine how long it takes for a check to clear. Some banks, for example, will make part of the check available right away, with the rest available the next business day.

Is there a dollar limit on mobile check deposits?

Mobile check deposit limits vary by financial institution. There may be limits on the number of checks you can deposit per day, week or month. These limits can be based on the type of account, your deposit history, how long the account has been open or other factors with your banking relationship.

Are mobile check deposits instant?

Why is my check taking so long to mobile deposit?