Systems and methods for real-time check authorization and clearing are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a payment transaction using a check and an input device at a point of sale (POS). The method includes electronically capturing at the input device information from the check used in the payment transaction. The method also includes converting the check transaction to a debit transaction, transmitting data associated with the debit transaction to a transaction processor, and processing the debit transaction data to generate one of an authorization for the debit transaction and a denial for the debit transaction.