When you deposit money in a bank orcredit union, you may need to fill out a deposit slip to direct the funds to the right place. Deposit slips identify you and provide instructions to your financial institution. They also create a paper trail for every transaction.
Key Takeaways
- You can use a deposit slip to ensure your money is properly accounted for when you put it in the bank and it's directed to the correct account.
- When you fill out a deposit slip, you will enter cash amounts in one area and check amounts in another area. If you want money back, you will also enter that amount.
- You may not need a deposit slip if you are using an ATM for your deposit or making a mobile deposit.
- When you make a bank deposit, the entire amount of the deposit may not be available right away, but you may have access to some of that money immediately.
How To Fill Out a Deposit Slip
The process of filling out deposit slips varies depending on what you’re doing. For example, cash and checks go in different sections, and getting cash back from your deposit requires an additional step. Fortunately, the process is easy, and the basic steps appear below.
Provide Personal Information
Write your name and your account number on the deposit slip. If you have pre-printed deposit slips from the back of your checkbook, this is already done for you.
Fill in Additional Details
Write in the date and any branch information, if required. For example, if you’re a credit union memberusing a different credit union’s branch (via shared branching), you’ll need to write in the name of your "home" credit union.
List the Cash Amountof Your Deposit
This is the total amount of currency (bills and coins) that you have for the deposit. If you do not have any cash to deposit, leave this line blank.
List Checks Individually
Include the check number and the amount of each check separately. If you don’t have any checks to deposit, move on to the subtotal.
Add Up the Deposits for a Subtotal
This is the total amount of cashandchecks that you have to deposit.
Enter the Amount of Cash You’d LikeTo Withdraw
This step is only required if you want cash back from your deposit. When your entire deposit consists of checks, you might want cash now so that you don’t have to make a withdrawal later.
Calculate the Total Deposit
This is the sum of your deposits minus any cash you take now.
Sign the Deposit Slip
Signing the slip is required if you are getting cash from your deposit.
Note
You can usually find deposit slips at the back of your checkbook or at the counter of your local bank branch. If you can't find one in either of those places, you can ask for one at the teller window at your bank.
Check Deposit Details
Depositing checks can be tricky at first. The key is to list each check individually so each check appears on its own line. There should be a space for you to enter the check number (or some type of description) next to the dollar amount of each check, which helps you and your bank keep track of each item.
Dollars and Cents
If you want to score bonus points with the teller, enter your deposit amounts in dollars and cents. You’ll notice separate boxes for each entry on most deposit slips. The box on the far right is for the decimal (or cents) portion, and the next box to the left is for the dollar amount. It’s not a big deal if this isn't perfect, but with some deposits—especially large ones—tellers might require that you have all of your commas and decimals in the right place.
More Room
If you’re depositing numerous items at once, use the back of your deposit slip or ask a bank employee for guidance. Most deposit slips have an extra set of boxes printed on the back so that you don’t have to fill in your personal information multiple times and deal with multiple subtotals.
Deposits at ATMs
Some automated teller machines (ATMs) allow you to make deposits. Depending on your bank, you may or may not need to fill out a deposit slip.
Sophisticated ATMs can deposit to your account based on the debit/ATM card you use, and they can even scan cash and checks in real-time. This potentially allows the bank to add funds to your account more quickly, although 100% of the money might not be available for immediate withdrawal. Other banks require that you put everything in an envelope and fill out a deposit slip, which a bank employee will use to record your deposit manually.
Mobile Deposits
If you're making a remotedeposit with your mobile device, you typically don't need to use a deposit slip. At most banks, you're already logged into your account when you snap a photo of the check, so you don't need to provide those details. Typically you just confirm the dollar amount and review any account and routing information from the check.
Note
Keep in mind that most banks have a limit to the amount of mobile deposits you can make each day. Check those limits to confirm that you'll be able to complete your deposits.
Funds Availability
Your bank sets rules, known as the funds availability policy, which explain how long you need to wait before spending money from a deposit. In some cases, you can take up to $225 in cash from a personal check on the first business day. You may be able to get more when you deposit acashier’s checkor USPSmoney order.
The best way to know how much you can spend is to check your available balanceor ask bank staff when the funds will become available. Most importantly, don’t assume that you can spend all of the money from large check deposits immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are you required to sign a deposit slip?
You typically only need to sign a deposit slip when you want cash back from your deposit. If you're only depositing funds, you don't need to sign the deposit slip. If you're making a deposit through an ATM, you may not need a deposit slip at all, so you won't need to sign anything.
Where is the routing number on a deposit slip?
The routing number is typically at the bottom of the deposit slip. Your account number will also be on the deposit slip if you're using a pre-printed one. Keep in mind that the routing number on your deposit slip may not be the same routing number that you use to set up direct deposits, so confirm you're using the correct routing number with your bank.
