How to Deposit Check with Chime App | Master Guide

If you have a Chime account and looking to deposit a check with Chime, this guide will walk you through the easy steps to do this. Chime allows you to do a mobile check deposit using their mobile app (also called as photo check deposit) which is a simple and convenient way.

In this post, we share complete details on how to deposit a check on Chime App [including stimulus checks], including the eligibility requirements, steps involved, check deposit availability, limits, cut-off time and is the Chime mobile check deposit instant etc.

Chime, that offers online-only banking service (without most fees) through its Banking Partners- The Bancorp Bank or Strides Bank, N.A is one of the preferred options for tech savvy millennials.

The traditional way to deposit checks requires you to physically submit them at the bank branch, which means waiting in cues. Or it can involve sending the check by mail which is again a time consuming option.

However, Chime offers the convenience of mobile check deposit as a digital way to get your checks deposited from the comfort of your home.

How to deposit a check with Chime? You can deposit a check with Chime by using Mobile Check Deposit Option on Chime App by snapping a photo of check. Open the Chime app and tap on “Move Money” (at the bottom) which gives you option to do a Mobile Check Deposit under “Add Money to Chime” section.

Let’s look at the steps involved in depositing the check with Chime.

Eligibility to Deposit Check with Chime

One important point to note if you DON’T see the Mobile check deposit option, this feature it is NOT a default option.

The check deposit feature gets enabled on Chime, ONLY once you have received at least one direct deposit of $1 or more from an employer or payroll provider, government benefits, or a gig economy payer via Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer or Original Credit Transaction (OCT).

How to Deposit Check with Chime [Steps]

  1. Confirm the name on the check matches your Chime Checking Account and check is not prohibited for mobile deposit.
  2. Open your Chime Mobile App and Log In
  3. Next tap on the option “Move Money” at the bottom (2 arrows icon)
  4. Next select the option “Mobile Check Deposit” (camera icon) under “Add Money to Chime” section from the choices available
  5. Select the type of check to be deposited-
    1. U.S. Treasury (e.g. for Stimulus Checks, tax refunds etc. )
    2. Payroll Provider
    3. Other
  6. Next select the account type in which you are depositing the check (checking or savings)
  7. Next enter the check amount
  8. Endorse the Check- Sign at the back of your paper check and write “For deposit only” under your signature (Some may prefer to write “For deposit in Chime Only” but it can be a problem later if for some reason the check does not get accepted at Chime and you choose to deposit at another bank)
  9. Using your mobile camera, you now need to take a photo of the check both the front and back portion.
    Make sure the picture is clear on both sides to avoid chances of rejection.
    Clear your camera lens if picture is coming out fuzzy or blurry.
    Make sure there is good lighting so your camera can pick up details on your check. Even the details at back of check should be readable.
  10. Review the deposit details like the amount, account etc. once the images are recorded
  11. Confirm the deposit

Some important points to note ->

Once Check deposit is submitted, it will show up under your pending transactions. Once it goes into pending, it will take a few hours for Chime to accept or reject the check.

Also Read: How to deposit a check on Cash App 2022

Is the Chime Mobile Check Deposit Instant? How long does it take to deposit a Check with Chime?

A mobile check deposited with Chime can take a maximum of up to 5 business days to reflect the credit in your account balance. It usually gets credited on next business day, if check is deposited before the cut-off time before 5 PM EST on a day.

So usually a check deposited before the cut-off time on a regular business day (not being a weekend day or federal holiday) will reflect on next business day.

But for certain high value checks and depending on the party issuing the check, it could take a longer period. Under situations, Chime may also put a hold on the check based on certain risk factors e.g.

  1. You’re depositing a check for a large amount.
  2. There are frequent overdrafts in your account.
  3. It’s believed that the deposited check may not be paid.

You can check this post on more details on what factors impact the Chime mobile check deposit funds availability.

Generally, for printed checks on payroll, the turn around time is quicker. In certain cases, it may also clear on the same business day.

While depositing the check, Chime also gives you an indication of how long it will take before the funds are available in your account balance.

If you are looking to cash a check instantly, you can probably try Venmo which provides instant check deposit option for a small fees. I have a post which covers the details on how to cash a check with Venmo.

Chime Check Deposit Cut off time?

A check deposited by 5 pm Eastern Time on a particular day, usually gets credited on next business day.

So if you deposit a check after 5 pm on a particular day, it will get submitted on next day and may get cleared on the 2nd business day.

In short- A check received and accepted for processing prior to 5:00 PM ET on a business day is considered as received on that day. Else, it will be considered received on next business day.

Also Read: Does Chime work with Venmo [Complete Guide]

Chime Check Deposit limits?

Chime has limit on the mobile check deposit up to a maximum amount of $2000 for non US treasury checks and a maximum of 10 checks per month.

Chime Check Deposit Limits-

  • Per Deposit- Maximum of $2,000 per check (non-U.S. Treasury)
  • Per Deposit- Maximum of $5,000 per U.S. Treasury check
  • Maximum of $10,000 per month

In some instances, checks can be rejected due to the problems with verifying the check details or payer info. If it isn’t reflected on your account after 24 hours, you can call on the Chime hotline.

If for any reason, you are not able to deposit a check with Chime even after check with Chime Support, you can also consider alternatives like Ingo Money App.

Also Read: Does Chime work with Cash App?

What types of checks does Chime Accept?

  • U.S. Treasury Checks
  • Personal and Business Checks
  • State and Local Government Checks
  • Federal Reserve Bank Checks
  • Federal Home Loan Bank Checks
  • Certified Checks

Does Chime Accept Cashier’s Checks?

No, unfortunately Chime no longer accepts cashier’s checks. irrespective of the issuer. This seems to be a decision taken due to high fraud rates that are associated with Cashier’s Checks.

Does Chime Accept Two Party Checks?

Yes, Chime may accept a check drawn on two parties.

As per its terms, Chime can accept certain checks jointly payable to you and one or more other people if at least one payee matches the name on the Checking Account and if endorsed by all payees (at its discretion)

All checks must include a restrictive endorsement stating “For Mobile Deposit Only to Chime Checking Account # XXXXXXX” 

If you are depositing a check payable to you jointly, you have to warrant that each other payee has voluntarily and personally endorsed the original check and authorized you to deposit the funds into your Chime Account.

Checks not eligible for mobile check deposit

Following checks are not eligible for Mobile check deposit on Chime. So make sure your check is not a case below, to avoid rejections.

  • Checks payable to any person or entity other than you (i.e., third party checks);
  • Checks containing alterations, illegible items, fraudulent checks, or checks that you should have known or have reason to believe were fraudulent;
  • Checks that have been previously deposited at another institution via physical item, image or electronic funds transfer;
  • Checks from financial institutions located outside of the United States; checks that are not payable in U.S. dollars;
  • Checks that are more than six (6) months old (i.e. stale-dated);
  • Checks that are post-dated, or payable on a date in the future;
  • Substitute Checks (a digital reproduction of the front and back of an original check);
  • Remotely created checks (a check created by a merchant with a buyer’s checking account number on it, but without the buyer’s original signature);
  • Travelers checks and savings bonds;
  • Non-negotiable instruments, such as promissory notes;
  • Starter checks or counter checks (checks from a teller window).
  • Cashier’s Checks; or
  • Money Orders, regardless of Issuer

Retaining Checks for Records after Mobile Deposit

In contrast to a traditional check deposit, you get to retain the original paper check when you use Chime Mobile Deposit. 

It can look convenient to dispose the check once you have completed the check deposit.

But as per Chime requirements, you must mark the original check as “VOID” and retain it for sixty (60) days, even after receiving the credit with the mobile check deposit.

If you don’t retain such a check, it can create problems if the bank has a question later about the deposit and you don’t have it with you.

How to Mobile Deposit Stimulus Checks with Chime

Open the Chime app, tap Move Money at the bottom of your screen, then tap Mobile Check Deposit, then select U.S. Treasury to deposit stimulus checks on Chime.

There is a separate tab in the Chime App for stimulus check deposit for convenience and faster payout. Do note that Stimulus Check Mobile Deposit facility is available if you are active on Chime Spending Account and have Chime Visa Debit Card.


If you have received a government stimulus payment in form of a paper check, do keep in mind the following precautions for successful deposit-

1.The name on the check should match your name on your Chime Spending Account

2. For joint stimulus checks, at least one filer’s name should match the name associated with the Chime Account- failing which it may not be accepted

3. You are usually required to sign the back of your paper check and write “For deposit to Chime only” below the signature.

For joint stimulus check, both signatures are required on the back of the check.

Feature Note: Cash Advance Apps that work with Chime [Complete List]

Chime Mobile Check Deposit Not Working

Mobile check deposit function is auto-enabled by Chime. But for this, you should have received a minimum of $1 direct deposit.

The mobile check deposit function is activated on your app within 30 days of such direct deposit.

If for any reason you don’t see the mobile check deposit function enabled on your Chime App, its probably because there has been no direct deposit in your account.

Chime also has terms on offering this Mobile Check Deposit feature

Your access to Mobile Deposit is determined by Chime in its sole discretion based on the history of any Chime-branded accounts you have, direct deposit history, and direct deposit amounts and other risk-based factors. Chime may suspend or terminate your use of Mobile Deposit at any time and without prior notice to you

If you have successfully deposited a check in your Chime Account and want to move the money to another bank account, we have a guide on how to transfer funds from your Chime Account to your other bank account.

Feature Note: If you are looking to issue your own checks to make payments, Chime does not give you paper check books but has its own Checkbook feature, that gives you the option to issue paper checks as a part of the Chime Mobile App

Wrap Up

So you can conveniently deposit your check with Chime using the mobile deposit option by few clicks of button. Make sure to take clear images of checks and verify the details before submitting to avoid possibility of rejections. Also, consider the time of at least 24 hours to get the funds in your account.

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Dev

I have a passion for finance and technology. On this blog, I share helpful information on products and services that we use in our daily lives and simplify things I learned the hard way.

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