PayPal lets you photograph checks with your phone and deposit them into your PayPal account or linked bank account

PayPal's mobile check deposit feature works through the PayPal app on your phone. You photograph the front and back of a check, and PayPal processes it electronically without you visiting a bank. The money typically arrives in your PayPal account within one to two business days, and you can then transfer it to a linked bank account if you want the funds there instead.

This is different from direct deposit, which is when an employer or organization sends money directly to your bank account on a set schedule. Check deposit is something you do yourself when you receive a physical check and want to move that money into your account without going to a bank branch.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a PayPal account and the PayPal mobile app to deposit checks; the feature is not available on the website.
  • Photograph both sides of the check clearly, and the check must be endorsed (signed on the back) with "For mobile deposit only" written below your signature.
  • PayPal holds newly deposited checks for a period before releasing the funds, and you cannot spend the money until that hold lifts.
  • Daily and monthly deposit limits apply and vary depending on your account history and PayPal's assessment of your account.
  • Once the check clears, you can transfer the money to your linked bank account or keep it in PayPal to spend using their debit card or online payments.

What you need before you can deposit a check

You must have a PayPal account and the PayPal mobile app installed on an iPhone or Android phone. The check deposit feature is only available through the app, not through PayPal's website on a computer.

Your PayPal account must be verified, which means you have confirmed your identity and linked a bank account or debit card to your account. If you have not done this yet, PayPal will ask you to complete verification before you can deposit your first check.

You also need a physical check made out to you or to you and another person. The check must be from a U.S. bank and in U.S. dollars. PayPal does not accept checks from outside the United States, checks that are post-dated (dated in the future), or checks that have already been deposited elsewhere.

How to photograph and submit a check

Open the PayPal app and look for the check deposit option, usually found under "Wallet" or "Money" depending on your app version. Tap the option to deposit a check.

Photograph the front of the check in good lighting so all text and numbers are clearly visible. Then photograph the back of the check. Before you photograph the back, you must sign the back of the check and write "For mobile deposit only" below your signature. This tells the bank that the check is being deposited electronically and cannot be deposited again in person.

PayPal will show you previews of both photos and ask you to confirm the check amount. Review the amount carefully — if PayPal misread the numbers, correct it before submitting. Once you submit, PayPal sends the images to your bank for processing.

How long it takes for the money to reach your account

PayPal typically shows the deposit in your PayPal account within one business day, but the money is usually on hold during that time. You cannot spend it yet. The hold period varies but is commonly two to three business days from the date you submit the check.

The exact timing depends on the check amount, your account history, and PayPal's risk assessment. Larger checks or accounts with less history may have longer holds. Once the hold lifts, the money is yours to use.

If the check bounces or the bank rejects it for any reason, PayPal will notify you and the money will be removed from your account. This can happen days or even weeks after you deposit, so do not assume the check has fully cleared until PayPal confirms it.

Daily and monthly deposit limits

PayPal sets limits on how much you can deposit in a single day and in a calendar month. These limits are not published as fixed numbers because they vary based on your account age, deposit history, and other factors PayPal considers.

New accounts typically have lower limits — sometimes $500 per day or $2,000 per month, though these figures can vary. As your account history builds and you deposit checks successfully, PayPal may raise your limits. You can see your current limits in the PayPal app when you go to deposit a check.

If you try to deposit a check that would exceed your limit, PayPal will reject it and tell you to try again later or on another day. There is no way to request a higher limit directly; limits increase automatically as PayPal gains confidence in your account.

Where the money goes after it clears

Once the hold period ends and the check clears, the money sits in your PayPal account balance. You can leave it there and use it to pay other people through PayPal, make online purchases, or send money to friends. You can also use a PayPal debit card if you have one linked to your account.

If you want the money in your bank account instead, you can transfer it from PayPal to any linked bank account. This transfer usually takes one to two business days and is free. Some users keep money in PayPal for convenience, while others move it to their bank account right away.

Common reasons a check deposit gets rejected

PayPal will reject a check if the images are blurry or the text is not readable. Make sure you photograph in good lighting and hold the phone steady. The check must also be flat and fill most of the frame.

Checks are rejected if they are post-dated (dated in the future), already deposited elsewhere, damaged, or made out to someone other than you. Checks that are very old (typically more than six months) may also be rejected. If you are depositing a check made out to two people, both people must be on the PayPal account or the check will be rejected.

If you forget to sign the back of the check or write "For mobile deposit only," PayPal will ask you to resubmit with the proper endorsement. Do not deposit the check in person at a bank after submitting it to PayPal, or the bank may reject it as a duplicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No, PayPal only accepts checks made out to you or to you and another person who is also on the PayPal account. If the check is made out to someone else entirely, you cannot deposit it through PayPal. The other person would need to deposit it themselves or sign it over to you in writing, which most banks discourage.

What happens if I deposit the same check twice?

PayPal and your bank track check numbers to prevent duplicate deposits. If you submit the same check twice, the second deposit will be rejected. If somehow both go through, your bank will catch the duplicate and reverse one of the deposits, which can create overdraft fees or other problems. Always destroy the check after it clears.

Can I deposit a check if I do not have a linked bank account?

You need a verified PayPal account to deposit checks, and verification typically requires linking a bank account or debit card. However, once verified, you can keep the money in your PayPal balance and do not have to transfer it to your bank. You can spend it through PayPal's payment options or a PayPal debit card.

Is there a fee to deposit a check through PayPal?

PayPal does not charge a fee to deposit checks. However, if you transfer the money from PayPal to your bank account, that transfer is free. Some banks may charge their own fees for receiving transfers, but that would be your bank's fee, not PayPal's.

What if PayPal says my check amount does not match what I see?

If the app misreads the check amount, you can correct it before submitting. Look at the check carefully and enter the correct amount. If you submit an incorrect amount by mistake, contact PayPal support to report the error. Do not resubmit the check, as that may be treated as a duplicate deposit attempt.