You can run payroll from a Relay checking account by connecting Relay to a payroll provider like Gusto, Patriot, or ADP Run, typically in 5 to 10 minutes.
What you need before you start
An active Relay checking account
Admin access to your payroll provider account (Gusto, Patriot, ADP Run, or another US business payroll provider)
Your Relay account and routing numbers, or the ability to sign in to Relay through Plaid
Enough money in the funding account to cover payroll on the scheduled debit date
How do I set up payroll with Gusto?
Add your Relay checking account as the funding source inside Gusto, verify it, and confirm your direct deposit payment speed before you run your first payroll.
Before you start, log in to Gusto and go to Payroll > Payroll Settings to confirm the direct deposit payment speed on your account. Newer Gusto accounts typically move on a two-day or four-day timeline until Gusto reviews the account for faster funding.
You can verify your Relay checking account in Gusto two ways.
Option 1: Instant Bank Verification through Plaid. This is the faster path.
Sign in to the Relay web app and go to Settings > Manage Integrations.
Enable the Plaid integration for your Relay account.
In Gusto, choose Instant Bank Verification when adding your funding account.
Sign in to Relay through the Plaid prompt to link the account.
Option 2: Manual Account Verification through test deposits. Use this if Plaid isn't an option.
In Gusto, choose Manual Account Verification and enter your Relay account and routing numbers.
Wait for Gusto to send two small test transactions to your Relay checking account. This typically takes two to three business days.
Log back in to Gusto and enter the exact amounts of the two test deposits to confirm the account.
Once the account is verified, Gusto uses Relay as the funding source for payroll debits. For more detail on Gusto's own settings, see Gusto's help centre or Integrating Relay with Gusto.
How do I set up payroll with Patriot?
Add your Relay account and routing numbers to Patriot as your payroll funding account, then verify the account through test deposits.
Before you switch funding accounts, log in to Patriot and confirm your direct deposit funding timeline. Patriot funding speeds vary by account age and payroll history.
In Patriot, open Payroll > Payroll Settings > Bank Accounts.
Enter your Relay checking account and routing numbers.
Patriot will send two small test deposits to your Relay checking account. This typically takes up to three business days.
Log back in to Patriot and enter the exact amounts of the two test deposits to complete Manual Account Verification.
Once Patriot confirms the account, it becomes available as your payroll funding source.
How do I set up payroll with ADP Run?
Contact ADP Run support directly to update the bank account used for payroll funding.
ADP Run requires bank account changes to go through their support team rather than being self-served in the payroll dashboard.
Log in to your ADP Run account.
Call or message ADP Run support and let them know you want to update your payroll funding account.
Provide your Relay account and routing numbers when ADP Run requests them.
ADP Run will verify the account on their end and confirm when Relay is active as the funding source.
If ADP Run asks for a bank verification letter or void check, you can download one from Relay. See Downloading a bank verification letter, void check, or direct deposit form.
What if I use a different payroll provider?
Relay works with most US payroll providers that support business checking accounts, and the setup pattern is the same.
Log in to your payroll provider and open the payroll funding or bank account settings.
Enter your Relay checking account and routing numbers (or connect through Plaid if the provider supports it).
Complete the provider's account verification, which is usually either Instant Bank Verification through Plaid or Manual Account Verification through test deposits.
Confirm the direct deposit funding timeline with the provider before your first payroll run.
How do I find my Relay account and routing numbers?
Your Relay account and routing numbers are visible on the account details page in the Relay web app.
Sign in to the Relay web app.
Open the checking account you want to use for payroll.
Copy the account and routing numbers from the account details panel.
For a full walkthrough, see Viewing your account and routing numbers.
Common issues and fixes
Test deposits haven't arrived after three business days. Check that the account and routing numbers entered in your payroll provider match your Relay checking account exactly. If they match, contact your payroll provider's support team to resend the test deposits.
Plaid connection fails or times out. Confirm Plaid is enabled in Settings > Manage Integrations in the Relay web app, then retry the Instant Bank Verification flow in your payroll provider.
Payroll debit failed for insufficient funds. Move money into the Relay checking account funding payroll before the debit date. Payroll providers typically retry a failed debit, and repeated failures can pause your payroll runs.
Payroll provider says the account can't be verified. Double-check the account and routing numbers, and make sure you're using the numbers from a Relay checking account (not a savings account, which some providers won't accept as a payroll funding source).
You need a void check or bank letter for the provider. Relay lets you download a bank verification letter, a void check, or a direct deposit form directly from the app.
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