How to Deposit a Check Into PayPal?

Depositing a check into your PayPal account offers a convenient way to manage your finances directly from a mobile device. This feature allows individuals to add funds to their PayPal balance using a paper check, eliminating the need for a physical bank visit. It provides a straightforward solution for integrating traditional payments into your digital wallet, making it easier to access and use your funds for various online transactions or transfers. This process leverages mobile technology to streamline what was once a time-consuming task.

Preparing for Your Deposit

Before initiating a check deposit, ensure your PayPal Balance account is active and verified. You should also confirm that the PayPal mobile application is downloaded and updated to its latest version. The check itself must be a U.S. dollar check drawn on a U.S. bank, accepting personal, business, and government-issued checks. However, certain types like credit card checks, traveler’s checks, “starter checks,” U.S. Savings Bonds, or checks drawn on accounts outside the United States are not accepted. Post-dated, stale-dated, or third-party checks made out to someone else will also be rejected.

Proper endorsement of the check is essential. On the back of the check, sign your name exactly as it appears on the front of the check. Directly below your signature, clearly write “For PayPal Mobile Deposit Only.” This specific phrasing ensures the check is processed correctly and adds a layer of security, preventing unauthorized deposits. For optimal photo quality during the deposit process, place your endorsed check on a flat, dark surface in a well-lit area, avoiding any shadows that might obscure the details.

Depositing Your Check Through the App

Once your check is properly prepared, open the PayPal mobile application. Navigate to the “Finances” or “Wallet” section to find the “Cash a Check” option. This feature is designed to guide you through the process seamlessly, assuming all preparatory steps have been completed.

The application will prompt you to capture images of your check. Use your phone’s camera to take clear photos of both the front and back of the endorsed check. Ensure all four corners are visible, and the photo is not blurry, allowing all text and numbers to be read. After successfully capturing the images, you will be prompted to enter the check amount. Carefully review all the entered details, including the amount and the captured images, before confirming the submission of your deposit.

Accessing Your Funds

After submitting your check for deposit, approval typically takes a few seconds to an hour. PayPal offers two options for accessing your funds. You can choose “Money in Minutes,” which provides instant access to the funds after approval, but this option incurs a fee, 1% for payroll and government checks with pre-printed signatures (minimum $5 fee), and 5% for all other accepted check types (minimum $5 fee). Alternatively, the “Money in Days” option allows you to receive the funds for free within 10 days, provided the check clears and is not returned unpaid.

All deposits are subject to review by Ingo Money, the third-party service. Funds may be held longer for reasons like large check amounts, new account activity, or suspicious activity. You can monitor the status of your deposit directly within the PayPal app. It is important to be aware of deposit limits, which are typically $2,500 per single check, with a daily limit of $5,000 and a monthly limit of $15,000 in total checks. Once your check is approved, you will be prompted to write “VOID” across the front of the physical check and submit another photo of it, and it is advisable to retain the voided check for at least two weeks.