How to Fill Out a Checking Deposit Slip

July 13, 2026 Lord AI Editorial Team 0 Comments

Quick answer: To fill out a checking deposit slip, write the date, your name if required, your checking account number, the cash amount, each check amount, the subtotal, any cash you want back, and the final net deposit. Sign the slip only if you are receiving cash back. Before handing it to the teller, make sure the total matches the cash and checks you are depositing.

Deposit paperwork and banking calculations on a desk — A deposit slip tells the bank exactly how much money should go into your checking account.

What Is a Checking Deposit Slip?

A checking deposit slip is a small form used to deposit cash and checks into a checking account. It helps the bank identify the account, list the items being deposited, and calculate the final deposit amount. You may find deposit slips in the back of your checkbook, at a bank branch, or sometimes inside a business deposit book.

Many people use mobile deposit, ATM deposit, or direct deposit now, but deposit slips still matter. They are common for in-branch deposits, business deposits, cash deposits, multiple-check deposits, and situations where you want a teller to process the transaction and provide a receipt.

What You Need Before You Start

Before filling out the slip, gather the cash, checks, account number, and identification if the bank requires it. If the deposit slip came from your own checkbook, your account number may already be printed on it. If you use a blank branch slip, you will need to write the account number carefully.

Endorse any checks before depositing them. For safety, use a restrictive endorsement such as For deposit only plus your signature, or follow your bank’s exact endorsement instructions. If the check is for mobile deposit only, do not use the same check for a branch deposit.

Step 1: Write the Date

Write the deposit date on the date line. Use the date you are making the deposit, not the date printed on a check you received. A clear date helps you match the receipt to your bank statement later.

If you are preparing several deposits for a business, date each slip separately and keep copies or receipt records in the same order as your bookkeeping.

Step 2: Add Your Name and Account Number

Some slips ask for your name. Others only require the account number. If the slip is preprinted from your checkbook, check that the account number is correct. If you are using a blank slip at the branch, copy your checking account number carefully.

Do not guess the number. A wrong digit can send the deposit to the wrong account or delay processing. If you are unsure, ask the teller to confirm the account using your debit card, ID, or bank records.

Step 3: Enter Cash

If you are depositing cash, write the total cash amount in the cash line. Count bills and coins carefully. For example, if you are depositing three $20 bills, one $10 bill, and four quarters, the cash amount is $71.00.

If you are not depositing any cash, leave the cash line blank or write 0.00, depending on the slip style. Do not include checks in the cash line.

Step 4: List Checks Separately

Most deposit slips provide lines for checks. Write each check amount on a separate line. If the slip has a place for check numbers, write the check number next to each amount. This helps if one check is returned or questioned later.

If you have more checks than lines on the front, the slip may have extra space on the back. Add the checks there and bring the total forward to the front. For business deposits with many checks, use an adding machine tape, spreadsheet total, or remote deposit system if your bank provides one.

Step 5: Add the Subtotal

Add the cash and all check amounts. Write the combined amount on the subtotal line. Take your time here. A math error can make the teller pause the transaction or adjust the total.

Example: You deposit $80.00 cash, one check for $125.50, and one check for $42.25. Your subtotal is $247.75.

Step 6: Decide Whether You Want Cash Back

Some deposit slips allow you to receive cash back from the deposit. For example, you might deposit a $500 check and request $50 cash back, leaving a net deposit of $450. This is usually available only when the bank allows it and the funds are eligible.

If you want cash back, write the amount on the cash received or less cash line. You may need to sign the deposit slip. Your signature authorizes the bank to give you cash from the transaction.

If you do not want cash back, leave that line blank or write 0.00.

Step 7: Calculate the Net Deposit

The net deposit is the amount that will go into your checking account. Subtract any cash back from the subtotal. If you are not taking cash back, the net deposit is the same as the subtotal.

Using the earlier example, if your subtotal is $247.75 and you take no cash back, your net deposit is $247.75. If you take $20.00 cash back, your net deposit is $227.75.

Step 8: Sign Only If Needed

Deposit slips often require a signature only when you receive cash back. If you are only depositing money and not taking cash, a signature may not be necessary. Bank policies vary, so follow the slip instructions or ask the teller.

Do not sign blank slips in advance. A signed deposit slip with account information should be handled carefully.

Example Completed Deposit

Imagine you are depositing $60.00 cash, a check for $185.25, and a check for $74.75. You do not want cash back.

Cash: 60.00
Check 1: 185.25
Check 2: 74.75
Subtotal: 320.00
Less cash received: 0.00
Net deposit: 320.00

Branch Deposit vs. ATM Deposit

At a branch, a teller can review the slip, count the cash, scan the checks, and answer questions before the transaction is finalized. This is helpful when you have many checks, want cash back, or need a printed receipt immediately. If the teller changes the deposit amount, ask why and make sure the receipt matches what you expect.

At an ATM, the machine may not require a paper deposit slip. Some ATMs scan cash and checks directly. Others still use envelopes or ask you to enter the total deposit amount. If you enter the amount yourself, be careful. A mismatch between your entry and the bank’s count can delay final confirmation.

Business Deposit Slips

Business deposit slips may include extra fields, such as location codes, batch numbers, teller initials, currency totals, coin totals, or separate sections for many checks. The idea is the same: identify the account, list the items, add the total, subtract cash back if allowed, and keep a record.

For a business, consistency matters. Use the same method each day, keep receipts with the day’s sales records, and compare deposits to your point-of-sale totals or invoices. If employees prepare deposits, create a simple checklist so every deposit is counted and recorded the same way.

How to Review the Slip Before Submitting

Before handing over the deposit, count the money one last time. Compare each check to the slip. Confirm the account number. Recalculate the subtotal. Check the cash-back line. Make sure the net deposit is the amount you expect to appear in the account.

This review is especially important when the deposit includes cash. Cash mistakes are harder to fix after you leave the branch. If the teller’s count differs from yours, stay calm and ask to recount the items before the transaction is completed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common mistakes include writing the wrong account number, forgetting to endorse checks, mixing cash and check amounts, adding incorrectly, forgetting to subtract cash back, signing when not needed, or losing the receipt. Another mistake is assuming the full amount is immediately available. Banks may place holds on some checks, especially large checks, new accounts, or unusual deposits.

Always keep the receipt until the deposit appears correctly in your account. If the amount is wrong, contact the bank quickly and provide the receipt.