How to send a check with Citibank Online.
A guide to mailing a real paper check from your Citibank Onlineaccount — with premium options like Certified, Priority, and Express Mail that your bank doesn't offer.
Citibank Online bill pay vs. Check Supply.
See how Check Supply compares with Citibank Online's traditional bill-pay rails. Unlike your bank, Check Supply offers premium mail options — Certified, Priority, and Express — alongside faster processing and real-time tracking.
Citibank Bill Pay allows customers to make one-time or recurring payments to businesses or individuals directly from their Citibank checking accounts. The service supports electronic payments when the biller accepts them, with same-day or next-business-day processing for eligible payments. For recipients who cannot accept electronic payments, Citibank mails a paper check on the customer's behalf. Electronic payments are typically debited on the scheduled payment date, while paper checks are debited when the recipient deposits the check. Citibank provides features like eBills, payment reminders, and the ability to view payment history online. The service is available through Citibank Online Banking and the Citi Mobile app, with no monthly service fees for most accounts.
Compared with Citibank's built-in bill pay, Check Supply offers superior speed, visibility, and control for mailed checks. We process payments in one business day with same-day print-and-mail capability when queued by 3 PM ET (including Saturdays), provide granular status tracking (queued → printed → mailed), and clearly confirm when the check is deposited. Funds remain in your Citibank account until the recipient deposits the check—we do not place pre-debit holds. The experience is a modern, simple flow similar to Cash App or Venmo for sending checks, and you can connect multiple bank accounts and choose which one to pay from. USPS transit times are not guaranteed by either service.
Shipping Options Limitations
Important: This bank does not offer premium shipping options for check delivery through their bill pay system:
- Certified Mail: Not available
- Priority Mail: Not available
- Express Mail: Not available
For these premium delivery options, consider using Check Supply instead, which provides:
- Certified Mail for secure, trackable delivery
- Priority Mail for faster 1-3 business day delivery
- Express Mail for urgent same-day or next-day delivery
Traditional bank bill pay typically only offers standard first-class mail delivery, which can take 5-7 business days and lacks the security and speed of premium options.
| Feature | Citibank bill pay | Check Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Physical checks | Yes — mails a check if the biller cannot accept electronic payments | Yes — we print & mail on your behalf |
| Average processing time | Electronic: same-day or next business day; Mailed check: schedule ≥5-7 business days | 1 business day; same-day print & mail if queued by 3 PM ET (Sat included) |
| When funds are withdrawn | Electronic: on the scheduled date; Check: when recipient deposits the check | Only when recipient deposits the check; no pre-debit holds |
| User experience | Traditional bill-pay interface inside Citibank Online/Mobile Banking | Modern, simple flow (Cash App/Venmo-like) for sending checks |
| Account flexibility | Use accounts at Citibank only | Connect multiple banks; choose which account to pay from |
| Delivery time (mail transit) | Typically 5–7 business days for mailed checks (not guaranteed) | Typically 1–5 business days (USPS not guaranteed) |
| Tracking | Basic scheduled/sent status; limited visibility for mailed checks | Granular: queued → printed → mailed + deposit confirmation |
| Certified Mail | Not available | Available · signature + tracking |
| Priority Mail | Not available | Available · 1–3 days with tracking |
| Express Mail | Not available | Available · 1–2 day delivery |
Citibank Online
Citibank Online is supported by Check Supply for secure check mailing with premium delivery options.
Send a check using the iOS app.
01Install Check Supply.
Get Check Supply by downloading our iOS app from the App Store or signing in to the web app.
02Enter the payment amount.
Open the app and tap the Pay tab. Type in the amount you want to send and tap Mail My Check.
03Add the recipient.
Input the name and address of the person you wish to send the check to. You can also import this information from your iPhone's contacts.
04Connect your Citibank Online account.
Connect your Citibank Online account securely using Plaid. Your financial information is encrypted and stored only with Plaid; Check Supply never accesses or stores your sensitive data.
05Add an optional memo.
Add a memo or note to be printed on the bottom left corner of the check. This step is optional. When you're ready, tap Pay.
06Review and confirm.
You'll see a confirmation page to review all the details. Confirm and pay for the service. If completed before 3 PM ET on a business day, your check will be printed and mailed the same day.
07Track your check.
Under the Payments tab, you can track your checks. Most are delivered within 1–5 USPS business days, including Saturdays.
Send a check from your browser.
Need to send a check from your desktop or laptop? Check Supply Web gives you the same core workflow right in your browser. Sign in at my.check.supply. If you already created an account from the iOS app, your payment history and contacts will still be available.
01Connect your Citibank Online account.
Connect your Citibank Online account securely using Plaid in your browser. Your credentials stay encrypted and stored only with Plaid.
02Enter payment details and validate the address.
Open the Paytab, enter the recipient's name and mailing address, and fill in the amount. Check Supply uses built-in USPS address validation to catch formatting issues before the check is mailed.
03Choose your shipping speed.
Pick the delivery option that matches your timeline. Unlike standard bank bill pay, Check Supply gives you multiple mailing speeds directly in the web app:
- First Class Mail · standard delivery, usually 3–5 business days.
- Priority Mail · faster tracked delivery, usually 2–3 business days.
- Express Mail · fastest option for urgent payments, usually 1–2 days.
- Certified Mail · proof of mailing and delivery for sensitive payments.
04Add your signature.
Draw your signature directly on screen with your mouse or trackpad so the check is authorized before sending.
05Review and send.
Review the payment details, delivery estimate, and total cost, then confirm the mailing. Once submitted, your check is sent to our printing facility for processing.
Mailing a check from Citibank Online in under four minutes.
With Check Supply, you get access to premium mail options like Certified, Priority, and Express Mail that Citibank Onlinedoesn't offer. Whether you prefer your iPhone or a desktop browser, you can handle the full flow quickly, securely, and without any hassle.
Disclaimer: this page is an independent guide by Check Supply and is not affiliated with Citibank Online.
Frequently asked about Citibank Online.
- How does Citibank deliver bill payments?
- Citibank sends payments electronically when possible, with same-day or next-business-day processing. For recipients who cannot accept electronic payments, Citibank mails a paper check on your behalf.
- When does Citibank debit my account for Bill Pay?
- For electronic payments, funds are withdrawn on the scheduled payment date. For paper checks, funds are withdrawn when the recipient deposits the check.
- How does Check Supply reduce uncertainty compared with Citibank bill pay?
- Check Supply provides step-by-step tracking (queued → printed → mailed) and confirms when the check is deposited, eliminating guesswork about mail timing and delivery status.
- Does Check Supply hold my money before delivery?
- No. With Check Supply, funds stay in your account until your recipient deposits the check. We do not place pre-debit holds.
- What if my payee cannot accept electronic payments?
- Check Supply specializes in mailed checks with same-day processing if queued by 3 PM ET (Saturdays included) and provides granular status updates through deposit confirmation.
- How fast will my payment arrive?
- Citibank electronic payments can be same-day or next business day. Citibank-mailed checks typically require 5-7 business days. Check Supply processes in 1 business day with same-day print-and-mail cutoff at 3 PM ET; USPS transit times are not guaranteed.
- Do I need to keep using Citibank's bill pay if I use Check Supply?
- No. You can use Check Supply independently to generate and mail checks from your Citibank account while still seeing deposit confirmation.
- Are there fees for Citibank Bill Pay?
- Citibank Bill Pay is typically free for most checking accounts. Check Supply charges a transparent per-check fee for printing and mailing, with tracking included.