What Navy Federal's Mobile Deposit Does
Navy Federal Credit Union's mobile deposit lets you photograph the front and back of a check using your phone and submit it to your account without visiting a branch or ATM. The app sends the image to Navy Federal's processing system, which reads the check information and deposits the funds into your account. This works for personal checks, business checks, and some government checks — but not for starter checks, checks marked "non-negotiable," or checks older than six months.
The deposit appears as pending in your account within minutes of submission. Navy Federal typically clears the funds within one to two business days, though the exact timing depends on when you submit the image and the amount of the check. Once a check is processed through mobile deposit, you should not deposit it again through any other method, and you should write "MOBILE DEPOSITED" on the back of the physical check to prevent accidental duplicate processing.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Navy Federal checking or savings account and the Navy Federal mobile app to use mobile deposit; the feature is not available through the website.
- Take clear photos of both sides of the check in good lighting, with all four corners visible and text readable, or the app will reject the image.
- Deposits show as pending immediately but typically clear within one to two business days depending on the check amount and submission time.
- There is no per-deposit fee for Navy Federal members, but daily and monthly deposit limits apply and vary based on your account type and membership status.
- Once you submit a check through mobile deposit, destroy or mark the physical check to prevent it from being deposited twice.
Deposit Limits and How They Work
Navy Federal sets daily and monthly limits on mobile deposits to reduce fraud risk. The limits vary depending on whether you are an active-duty service member, a retiree, or a civilian member, and they may also depend on how long you have held your account. New members often start with lower limits that increase after a period of account activity.
You can check your current limits by opening the Navy Federal app, navigating to the mobile deposit section, and looking for the limit information displayed before you take a photo. If you reach your daily limit, you can still deposit checks through an ATM or at a branch. If you regularly need to deposit checks above the monthly limit, contact Navy Federal directly to request a limit increase; they may grant one based on your account history and membership category.
Steps to Deposit a Check on Your Phone
Open the Navy Federal mobile app and log in with your username and password. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and select "Mobile Deposit" or look for a deposit icon on the home screen — the exact location varies depending on your app version.
Select the account where you want the deposit to go. Take a clear photo of the front of the check: hold your phone steady, ensure all four corners are visible, and make sure the text is sharp and readable. The app will show you a preview of the image. If it looks blurry or cut off, retake it. Then photograph the back of the check the same way. Some checks have blank backs; if so, the app may skip this step or ask you to confirm there is nothing to photograph.
Review the check amount that the app has read from the image. If it is wrong, you can correct it manually before submitting. Tap "Submit" or "Deposit." The app will confirm the submission and show you a reference number. Write this number on the physical check for your records, then store or destroy the check safely — do not deposit it again.
What Happens After You Submit
The deposit will appear in your account as "pending" within a few minutes of submission. You can see it in your transaction history and your account balance will update to reflect the pending amount. This does not mean the funds are available to spend yet; pending means Navy Federal has received the image and is processing it.
Funds typically become available (clear) within one to two business days. Checks submitted early in the morning on a weekday usually clear faster than those submitted in the evening or on weekends. Larger checks may take longer to clear than smaller ones. Once the funds show as "posted" rather than "pending," they are available to withdraw or transfer. Navy Federal will send you a notification (email or app alert, depending on your settings) when the deposit clears.
Photo Requirements and Why Images Get Rejected
Navy Federal's app uses image recognition software to read the check information automatically. If the photo does not meet the app's standards, it will reject the image and ask you to retake it. The most common reasons for rejection are: blurry or out-of-focus images, shadows or glare on the check, missing corners, text that is too small or illegible, or a check that is tilted or at an angle.
To avoid rejection, use good natural or indoor lighting, hold your phone parallel to the check (not at an angle), and make sure the entire check fits in the frame with a small margin of white space around it. Do not use the camera's zoom feature; instead, hold the phone closer to the check. If you have trouble after several attempts, try a different lighting location or clean your phone's camera lens. If the app continues to reject the image, you can deposit the check at a Navy Federal ATM or branch instead.
Checks That Cannot Be Deposited Through Mobile
Navy Federal will not process certain types of checks through mobile deposit. Starter checks (the temporary checks that come with a new checking account) cannot be deposited. Checks marked "non-negotiable," "void," or "sample" will be rejected. Checks that are more than six months old are considered stale and Navy Federal will not accept them. Checks with alterations, corrections, or damage that makes them hard to read may also be rejected.
If you receive a check that falls into one of these categories, you will need to deposit it in person at a Navy Federal branch or through an ATM. Some ATMs accept checks; others do not, so call Navy Federal or check their website to find an ATM near you that handles check deposits. Alternatively, you can mail the check to Navy Federal with a deposit slip, though this takes longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check that someone else wrote to me?
Yes, as long as the check is made out to you or to you and another person. If the check is made out to someone else entirely, you cannot deposit it into your Navy Federal account. If a check is made out to multiple people, all payees may need to sign the back, depending on how the names are written on the front.
What if the app reads the check amount wrong?
Before you submit, the app shows you the amount it read from the check. If the number is incorrect, you can edit it manually in the app before tapping submit. Double-check the amount you enter matches the check itself. Once you submit, contact Navy Federal if you notice an error; they can correct it on their end.
Do I have to keep the physical check after I deposit it?
No, but you should wait until the deposit clears (usually one to two business days) before destroying it. Write "MOBILE DEPOSITED" on the back of the check with a pen to mark it as already processed. This prevents accidental duplicate deposits if the check is found later. After the deposit shows as posted in your account, you can safely shred or discard the physical check.
What if my deposit is rejected after I submit it?
Navy Federal will notify you through the app or email if a deposit is rejected. The most common reasons are image quality issues or a problem reading the check information. You can retake the photo and resubmit, or deposit the check through another method. If you are unsure why it was rejected, contact Navy Federal's customer service for details.
Can I deposit checks on weekends or holidays?
You can submit the image any time, day or night. However, Navy Federal processes deposits during business hours, so checks submitted after hours or on weekends will not begin processing until the next business day. This may delay when the funds become available to you.