How Long Do Checks Last Before They Expire?

A check is a written instruction directing a bank to disburse money from an account to a named recipient. Checks are not endlessly valid and have specific time limitations. Understanding these time constraints is important for both the individual writing the check and the person receiving it.

Validity Periods for Different Check Types

Personal checks, along with business and payroll checks, are valid for six months, or 180 days, from the date they are issued. After this period, they are generally considered “stale-dated,” and while banks are not legally compelled to honor them under Uniform Commercial Code Section 4-404, some may still choose to do so.

Certified checks and cashier’s checks, which are guaranteed by the bank, typically do not have a fixed expiration date. The funds for these checks are already set aside by the bank, making them more secure. However, some banks may print “void after X days” notices, often ranging from 90 to 180 days, on cashier’s checks, and they may become subject to state unclaimed property laws if uncashed for an extended period.

Checks issued by government entities, such as federal tax refunds or Social Security benefits, often have longer validity periods than personal checks. Federal government checks are valid for one year from their issue date. State and local government checks also typically have validity periods ranging from six months to a year, depending on the issuing agency’s specific regulations.

Money orders do not expire, but some issuers may apply service fees if they remain uncashed for a certain period, often after one to three years of inactivity. These fees can reduce the money order’s original value. Similarly, traveler’s checks do not have an expiration date and can be cashed or redeemed as long as the issuing institution remains in operation.

Factors Influencing Check Validity

An explicit “void after” or “not valid after” memo printed on a check by the issuer can definitively limit its validity. For instance, a check marked “void after 30 days” becomes invalid after that timeframe. While some banks might still honor checks with such memos for up to the standard six months, the issuer’s intent for a shorter lifespan is clearly stated.

Banks retain discretion regarding whether to honor stale-dated checks, which are typically older than six months. Even if an account has sufficient funds and no stop payment order, a bank is not obligated to process a check that has exceeded this general timeframe. This discretion protects banks from potential complications.

If a check remains uncashed for an extended period, typically three to five years, the funds may be turned over to the state as unclaimed property under escheatment laws. These laws aim to return abandoned assets.

A check that is post-dated, meaning it has a future date written on it, cannot be cashed or deposited before that specified date. While banks are generally not required to wait until the post-date to process a check, specific state laws or prior written notification to the bank can obligate them to do so. If a post-dated check is cashed early and results in insufficient funds, the account holder may incur fees. A check also becomes invalid if the issuer places a stop payment order with their bank, preventing it from being honored regardless of its age.

Handling Expired and Uncashed Checks

For the recipient of a check, if it is slightly stale-dated, attempting to deposit or cash it might still be successful, as some banks may choose to honor it. However, if the bank rejects the check due to its age, the primary course of action is to contact the check’s issuer to request a new one. In situations where the issuer cannot be reached or the funds are very old, the payee might need to search their state’s unclaimed property database to reclaim the money.

For the individual who wrote the check, regular reconciliation of bank statements helps identify any outstanding or uncashed checks. If a payee requests a new check for an expired one, the issuer can provide a replacement. It is also advisable for the issuer to consider placing a stop payment on the original, uncashed check if it is still within the bank’s window for such requests. For very old, uncashed checks, the issuer may eventually be required to report the funds to the state as unclaimed property in compliance with escheatment regulations.