The basic steps for ATM check deposit

Most ATMs that accept deposits have a slot labeled for checks or envelopes. Insert your check into that slot — the machine will read it, display the amount on screen, and ask you to confirm. You then select the account you want the money to go into, and the ATM prints a receipt showing the deposit amount and timestamp. The check stays inside the machine; you do not get it back.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your bank typically posts the deposit within one business day, though some banks hold remote deposits (checks from ATMs not at a branch) for two to three business days while they verify the image.

Not all ATMs have check deposit capability — only machines owned by your bank or a network your bank belongs to. If you are unsure whether your bank's ATM accepts checks, look for a button labeled "Deposit" on the screen, or call your bank's customer service line to confirm before you visit.

Key Takeaways

  • You insert the check into the ATM's deposit slot, confirm the amount on screen, and select your account — the machine keeps the check and prints a receipt.
  • Deposits typically post within one business day, though some banks hold remote deposits for two to three business days.
  • Only ATMs owned by your bank or part of your bank's network will accept check deposits; branch ATMs are more likely to have this feature than off-site machines.
  • You must endorse the back of the check (sign it) before inserting it, and the check must be made out to you or to you and another person.

What you need to do before you deposit

Sign the back of the check in the space marked "Endorse here." Your signature must be in that area, not elsewhere on the back. If the check is made out to two people (you and someone else), both people should sign it, though some banks allow one person to deposit it on behalf of both.

Write your account number below your signature if your bank asks for it — some do, some do not. Check your bank's instructions or the ATM screen itself; it will tell you if this step is required.

Do not write anything else on the check or its back. Do not deposit a check that is post-dated (dated in the future), made out to someone else, or damaged so badly that the amount or routing number is unclear.

Differences between ATM deposits and branch deposits

Branch ATMs (machines inside the bank building) usually post deposits the same business day, even if you deposit after hours. Off-site ATMs (in grocery stores, gas stations, or other locations) often trigger a hold of one to three business days because the bank processes them in a batch rather than immediately.

If you need the money urgently, depositing at a branch ATM during business hours is faster than using an off-site machine. Some banks also let you deposit checks through their mobile app by photographing both sides of the check — this is often faster than an ATM and available 24/7, though the hold period is similar.

A few banks do not accept ATM check deposits at all, or only accept them at branch locations. If your bank falls into this category, you will need to visit a teller or use mobile deposit instead.

What happens after you deposit

The ATM scans both sides of the check and stores the images. Your bank uses those images to verify the amount and routing number. If everything matches, the deposit posts to your account and the check is destroyed or stored in a vault.

If the ATM cannot read the check clearly — because the image is blurry, the amount is smudged, or the routing number is unclear — the bank may reject the deposit and return the check to you. You will receive a notice (usually by email or text) if this happens, and you can try depositing it again or bring it to a branch.

Occasionally a check bounces after you deposit it, meaning the account it came from did not have enough money. Your bank will notify you and reverse the deposit, taking the money back out of your account. This can happen days or weeks after you deposited the check.

Common reasons ATM check deposits fail

The most common reason is that the check is not endorsed. If you forget to sign the back, the ATM will reject it or the bank will reverse it later. The second most common reason is that the check is damaged, faded, or written in pen that is too light for the scanner to read.

Checks that are post-dated (dated in the future) may be rejected by the ATM itself, or accepted but held until the date on the check arrives. Checks made out to a business or to someone other than you cannot be deposited into your personal account, even if that person signs it over to you.

If the ATM screen shows an error message, take a photo of it and contact your bank. Do not leave the check in the machine — if it jams or the machine malfunctions, you need to report it immediately so the bank can retrieve it.

Mobile check deposit as an alternative

Many banks now offer mobile check deposit through their app, where you photograph the front and back of the check and submit it from your phone. The process is similar to ATM deposit — the bank scans the images, verifies the amount, and posts the money to your account within one to three business days.

Mobile deposit is available 24/7 and does not require you to find an ATM. The downside is that some banks limit how many checks you can deposit per day (often $5,000 to $10,000) or per month, and the hold period is usually the same as an off-site ATM deposit.

If your bank offers mobile deposit, check whether it has a lower daily limit than ATM deposit, or vice versa. Some banks prioritize one method over the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else entirely, that person must deposit it into their own account. Some banks allow a third party to deposit a check on your behalf if you endorse it and they sign below your signature, but ATMs do not support this — you would need to visit a branch.

How long does it take for the money to show up?

Branch ATM deposits usually post the same business day. Off-site ATM deposits typically post within one to three business days. Your bank's website or app will show the deposit as "pending" until it fully posts. The exact timing depends on your bank and when you deposit (deposits after 9 p.m. may not post until the next business day).

What if the ATM eats my check and does not give me a receipt?

Contact your bank immediately. Tell them the date, time, and location of the ATM, and the amount of the check. The bank can pull the ATM's transaction log and retrieve the check from the machine. Keep the check's details (check number, amount, who it is from) handy when you call.

Can I deposit a damaged or torn check?

If the damage is minor and the amount and routing number are still clearly readable, most ATMs will accept it. If the damage is severe or the amount is unclear, the ATM will reject it. In that case, bring the check to a branch teller, who can deposit it manually or contact the check issuer to request a replacement.

Do I need to keep the receipt?

Yes. Keep the receipt until the deposit posts to your account and you have verified the amount in your bank's app or website. If there is a discrepancy, the receipt is your proof of what you deposited and when.