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. Some factors could delay a check from clearing, however, there is a general timeline in which you can expect a check to be deposited into your bank account. These timelines can vary from bank to bank and can depend on what type of check it is so be sure to familiarize yourself with your financial institution’s terms and conditions.

How Long Does It Take for a Check to Clear or Deposit?

Typically, it takes about one to two business days for a check to clear. However, the clearing time may vary depending on factors such as the bank’s policies, the check amount and the account history. Here are a few key takeaways:

• Refer to your bank, credit union or other financial institution’s deposit agreement for specific details on their check-clearing process.
• According to the Expedited Funds Availability Act, passed in 1987, the first $200 out of the full amount of a check deposit must be made available by the next business day. The amount was later amended to $225. 
• For deposits at ATMs not operated by the bank, federal regulations require funds availability no later than five business days after the deposit.
• Banks may impose cutoff times, after which deposited funds will be credited to the account on the next business day.  
• Most mobile banking apps allow for mobile check deposits which tend to take one to two business days to deposit into your account.
• The bank’s policy on held funds should be printed on the receipt for the deposit which indicates how long the bank can hold the personal check amount. 

Does a Certified Check Clear Immediately?

A certified check is essentially considered to be as good as cash in most transactions. However, this does not mean they will automatically clear, though they do tend to clear faster than a standard check. Here are some things to consider: 

• A certified check typically clears one business day after depositing it.
• Some banks may put a hold on checks for a large amount which means it could take longer to deposit.
• If you’ve opened your account within the last 30 days, you might experience delays.
• Certified checks could take longer to clear if you have had overdrawn accounts.

Why Are Your Checks on Hold or Delayed?

The federal $225 rule means checks for less than this amount will clear immediately. For greater amounts, a bank follows its own fund availability policy, which dictates the time needed to make funds available from a deposited check. A common policy is to make the funds available on the following business day. 

When delays occur, there are several common reasons your bank might put a hold on a check, including:

• Weekends and holidays
• High-dollar deposits
• Re-deposited checks
• Suspicious check deposits
• New accounts
• Overdraft history
• Doubtful checks

Weekends and Holidays

Most banks, credit unions or other financial institutions operate on a business day model, which means weekends and holidays are not included in processing times. Will checks clear on Saturdays or holidays? Typically, a check deposited on Friday night after business hours will not appear in your account over the weekend or on a holiday. Instead, it will be treated as if it were deposited on the next business morning. Unless your bank has extended business hours don’t expect money to hit your account straight away on weekends to government holidays.

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High-Dollar Deposits

The bank may hold large deposits for an extended period. Here are some examples of what happens with high-dollar deposits:

• This is known as an “exception hold” and can last up to five days — one explanation of why it might take longer for a check to clear.   
• The exception hold applies to personal, business and government checks. 
• It is permitted when the total amount of daily check deposits reaches $5,525. This means smaller checks can also be put on an exception hold if they collectively reach this total.
• If your checks total less than the exemption hold amount, you still might face a delay. For example, if you deposit a $2,500 check on Friday, $225 would be available immediately, and the $2,275 balance would be available on a non-holiday Monday.
• There may also be a longer hold of up to five business days on the funds. A federal banking regulation known as Regulation CC covers the exceptions that allow extended holds. 

Re-Deposited Checks

In the case of a bounced check, a bank customer may re-deposit the check, but the bank may place an exception hold on it the second time around. The bank may have a policy that the check must clear before funds are made available.

Suspicious Check Deposits

A bank may place an exception hold on any check deemed suspicious or problematic. For example, a check that has been dated six months previous to the deposit. In this case, the bank may want to verify the account the check is drawn on is still open and active.  

New Accounts

A check deposited into an account opened within the last 30 days may be subject to an exception hold. This is typically just a one-time delay for your checks to clear.

Overdraft History

If a customer has been regularly overdrawing an account, the bank is permitted to hold funds from a deposited check for an extended period. The regulations mention a review period of six months for checking accounts, meaning no overdrafts in the past six months would help you avoid an exception hold on deposits. 

Doubtful Checks

If the bank thinks there might be problems collecting the funds from a deposited check, it may impose an exception hold. The bank would need to verify the check, after which the money would become available to the depositor.  

Notification and Time Period

If a bank does place an exception hold on a check, it must notify the depositor of the reason and explain the expected date for funds availability. Regulation CC allows exception holds to last no more than seven business days, after which the bank will have to establish the specific reason for the extended hold. 

If a deposited check is returned for insufficient funds, the bank will reverse the deposit and debit the account. If the debit results in a negative balance, the customer will be expected to resolve the issue as soon as possible. A bank typically charges a fee for all returned checks.  

Alternative Methods To Checks

Though checks are still used for many transactions such as paying bills or rent, if you don’t feel like balancing a checkbook or just want to go fully digital, you have options. Here are a few to consider: 

• Peer-to-peer payment platforms
• Credit card or debit card
• Wire transfers
• Direct deposit

Final Take To GO

Banking rules don’t have to be confusing and complex. But by federal regulation, funds availability policies must be posted somewhere in the bank. It should also be outlined on deposit slips and account holders should be notified if the policy changes. If you still have questions about how long does it take for a check to deposit or clear, call your bank’s customer service line or head into a branch to discuss the matter. 

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

The article above was refined via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of our editorial team.

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