How to deposit a check

Let me tell you a story about my friend Chris (the name has been changed to protect the innocent).

Chris was awaiting his first paycheck. He was so excited. His Amazon cart was full of stuff he was going to buy. At the end of his shift, his boss approached him with an envelope. He handed it to Chris and told him "Good job this week." Chris anxiously tore open the envelope to find a check inside. What was he supposed to do with a check?

Receiving your first paycheck is exciting...until you realize you have no idea what to do with this piece of paper your boss just handed you. Don't worry! By following a few simple steps, you can deposit your check like a pro.

A couple of questions need to be answered before you deposit the check. First, do you have your bank’s app on your phone? If you do, you can probably do a "mobile deposit" right from your phone. If you don't have your bank app on your phone, do you have a debit card from your bank? If you do, you can go to an ATM and make the deposit. If you are nervous around ATMs, you can go inside the bank, talk to someone, and they can deposit your check. I will help you with all three scenarios.

Your bank’s app is on your phone

This is the easiest way to deposit money, but it may take up to 3 days for the money to show up in your account. Here’s how to do a mobile deposit:

1. Turn the check over. You will see some small words on one end that say "Endorse Here." Under the words you will see a line with an "X." That is where you will sign your name, which is called "endorsing a check.

2. Under where you sign, there may be a check box with the words "Check here if mobile deposit" or something to that effect. Some checks also ask you to write the name of your bank in this space. Make a check in that box and follow any other instructions given.

3. Open your bank’s app on your phone and locate "Mobile Deposit." It may also be called "Deposit a check" or something to that effect. Click on that and select "Deposit a check" if asked.

4. If you have a savings and a checking account, you will be asked to indicate which account you want the money to be deposited into.

5. You need to take a picture of the front and the back of the check, as directed by the app. It is important that the pictures are clear so the app can determine the validity of the check.

6. You will be asked to verify the amount of money and then complete the deposit.

That's it! You will want to hang on to the check until you see the money deposited into your account. You can then shred it or cut it into tiny little pieces (if you don't have a shredder). Pretty easy, isn't it?

You have a debit card and want to use an ATM

If you are close to an ATM from your bank, you can use it to make a deposit. Again, it could take up to 3 days for the money to show up in your account.

1. Complete the same steps above to endorse the check.

2. Walk up to the ATM, insert your card, type in your PIN, and follow the prompts.

3. You want to choose "Make a deposit" and choose if you want the money to go to your checking or savings.

4. Most ATMs will ask you to input the amount of the check, although this isn't always the case. Follow the prompts on the screen.

5. Insert the check in the direction shown on the screen and then verify that the amount on the screen is the same as on the check.

6. Complete the deposit and get a receipt. If you are worried, you can usually get a receipt that has a picture of the check on it.

That's it! It's pretty easy and convenient. You only need a debit card and your PIN.

Depositing a check inside a bank

If you don't want to use an ATM or want your money faster, going inside a bank is an option. You will need to know your bank account or have your debit card, a picture ID, and you are set to go.

1. Complete the same steps above to endorse the check.

2. Enter the bank and go to one of the cashiers. Remember, be friendly because they are there to help you.

3. Explain that you are there to deposit a check.

4. If you have your debit card, they will ask you to put it into the card reader at their window. It will prompt you to put in your PIN. If you don't have a debit card, you can give them your account number and your picture ID (driver’s license), and they can look it up.

5. Give them the check and let them know what you want done with it. You can have it all put into savings, all put into checking, or any combination. For example: You can put half into savings and half into checking.

6. They will ask you to verify the amounts and the account on the card reader. Once you have done this, they will print out a receipt that shows the deposit amount and the amount in the account.

That's it! Bank employees are there to help you and can answer any questions you have, so don't be afraid to go inside the bank to make a deposit.

You did it! You successfully deposited a check, and you did it like a pro. Now go spend your money, or save it.