How Long Does It Take for a Check to Clear?

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Knowing when money will be credited to your checking or savings account is key for financial planning. While some factors may delay the process, most checks clear within one to two business days. However, timelines vary depending on your financial institution, the type of check and how it’s deposited.

Quick Take: How Long Does It Take for a Check to Clear?

• Most checks clear within 1-2 business days.
• Certified, cashier’s and government checks may clear faster.
• Federal law requires the first $225 to be available the next business day.
• Delays may occur due to account history, check size or deposit method.

What To Know About Check-Clearing Times

Typically, it takes one to two business days for a check to clear. However, the exact time can vary based on your bank’s policies, the type of check and how it’s deposited. Weekends and holidays can also delay processing.

Keep the following in mind:

• Review your bank’s deposit agreement for timelines and hold policies.
• ATM deposits made at non-bank machines may take up to five business days to clear.
• Banks may impose a cutoff time — when deposited funds will be credited to the account on the next business day.  
• Mobile check deposits typically take one to two business days to deposit into your account.
• The bank’s policy on held funds should be printed on the deposit receipt. This indicates how long the bank can hold the personal check amount. 

Certified Checks: Do They Clear Immediately?

A certified check is seen as more secure and often clears faster than standard checks — but not always immediately. Here are some key points to know:

• Most certified checks will clear within one business day.
• Large amounts may still be held for verification.
• New accounts or negative account history can delay processing.
• Overdrawn accounts may also cause longer hold times.

Common Reasons a Check May Be Held

Banks are allowed to place exception holds on checks under certain circumstances:

• Weekends and holidays: Deposits made after hours or on holidays are usually processed the next business day.
• High-dollar deposits: Deposits over $5,525 may be held for up to five business days.
• Re-deposited checks: A bounced check deposited again may be subject to a longer hold.
• Suspicious check deposits: Banks may flag checks that look suspicious or are more than 6 months old.
• New accounts: Accounts open less than 30 days may face longer holds.
• Overdraft history: Accounts with repeated overdrafts in the past six months can trigger a delay.
• Doubtful checks: Banks may verify checks that appear risky or potentially uncollectible.

Sample Clearing Times by Check Type

Clearing times can vary depending on the type of check and how it’s deposited — here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect.

How To Speed Up the Check-Clearing Process

To speed up the check-clearing process, you can do the following:

• Deposit checks early in the day: Before your bank’s cut-off time.
• Use mobile deposit: Faster and more convenient than visiting a branch.
• Maintain a positive banking history: Fewer holds on your account and avoid overdrafts.

What Happens If a Check Bounces?

If a check bounces, it means the issuer’s bank couldn’t cover the amount due to insufficient funds. This can leave you without the money you expected and may result in fees from your bank.

To handle the situation, contact the issuer promptly to resolve the issue. Avoid repeated deposit attempts, as this can lead to additional fees.

Pro Tip

To protect yourself in the future, consider verifying funds before depositing large checks. You can also request a cashier’s check for higher-value transactions.

Conclusion

In most cases, checks clear within one to two business days. However, the specific timeline can vary based on your bank, the type of check and your account history.

If you still have questions about how long does it take for a check to clear or deposit, call your bank’s customer service line or head into a branch to discuss the matter. 

John Csiszar, Elizabeth Constantineau and Thomas Streissguth contributed to the reporting for this article.

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