What Is an ACH Deposit Form?

An ACH deposit form — also called a direct deposit authorization form — is a document that authorizes electronic transfers into or out of your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network.

How ACH Transfers Work

The ACH network is a nationwide electronic payment system that processes billions of transactions each year. When you set up direct deposit or automatic bill payments, the transfers go through the ACH network using your bank's routing number and your account number.

What Information Is on an ACH Deposit Form?

A standard ACH deposit form includes:

• Your name — as it appears on your bank account
• Bank name — your financial institution
• Routing number — the 9-digit ABA routing number identifying your bank
• Account number — your individual bank account number
• Account type — checking or savings
• Deposit amount — full paycheck or a specific dollar amount
• Your signature — authorizing the electronic transfer

When Do You Need an ACH Deposit Form?

Setting Up Direct Deposit

Your employer provides an ACH deposit form as part of new-hire paperwork. You fill it out with your banking details so your paycheck can be deposited electronically.

Automatic Bill Payments

Mortgage companies, insurance providers, and utility companies may provide ACH authorization forms to set up recurring automatic payments.

Government Benefits

Social Security, veterans' benefits, and unemployment insurance payments can be set up with an ACH deposit form.

ACH Deposit Form vs. Voided Check

Many employers ask for both an ACH deposit form and a voided check. The voided check serves as a visual verification of the banking information you wrote on the form.

Some employers accept either one:

• ACH deposit form only — you write your routing and account numbers on the form
• Voided check only — the employer reads your banking details from the check
• Both — the voided check verifies what you wrote on the form

How to Get an ACH Deposit Form

• Your employer's HR or payroll department provides the form
• Your bank may have a pre-filled version available through online banking
• You can generate a voided check with an ACH Direct Deposit Form bundle on VoidedCheck.com

Need a voided check to go with your ACH deposit form? Generate one instantly →