How Long Do You Have to Cancel a Check?

If you have written a check and later need to prevent it from being paid, a stop payment order instructs your bank not to honor it. Acting quickly is beneficial, as the order is only effective if the check has not yet been processed or paid.

Understanding Stop Payment Orders and Timeframes

A stop payment order is a formal request to your financial institution to prevent a check you’ve written from being cashed or deposited. This measure is used when a check is lost, stolen, or if there is a dispute regarding the underlying transaction. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governs the ability to place a stop payment order.

Under the UCC, an oral stop payment order, made by phone or in person, is effective for 14 calendar days. To extend this protection, the oral order must be confirmed in writing within that 14-day period. A written stop payment order remains in effect for a longer duration, typically six months. These orders can often be renewed for additional six-month periods if needed.

A stop payment order is only effective if the check has not yet been processed or paid by the bank. Once funds are disbursed, the opportunity to stop payment has passed. While the UCC sets general guidelines, individual bank policies may have minor variations, so it is advisable to consult your financial institution regarding their procedures.

Initiating a Stop Payment Order

When placing a stop payment order, you must gather all necessary details about the check. Banks require specific information to identify the check and prevent its payment. This includes the check number, exact amount, date written, full name of the payee, and your account number.

You can initiate the stop payment order through various channels, such as contacting customer service by phone, using online banking, or visiting a branch. Regardless of the initial contact method, follow up any oral request with a written confirmation. This written record ensures the order’s validity beyond the initial 14-day period and provides documentation of your request.

Financial institutions charge a fee for processing a stop payment order, typically ranging from $25 to $35. Consider these charges when deciding to stop payment on a check.

Special Considerations for Different Check Types

The ability to stop payment varies significantly depending on the type of check issued. For instance, certified checks are very difficult, if not impossible, to stop once they have been issued. This is because the bank guarantees the funds for a certified check, effectively setting aside the money from your account at the time of issuance.

Cashier’s checks are drawn on the bank’s own funds, making them highly secure and challenging to stop. If a cashier’s check is lost or stolen, cancellation may be possible but often requires an indemnity bond and adhering to a waiting period, which can be 90 days or longer. A surety bond can sometimes avoid the waiting period.

Money orders also operate under different rules than personal checks. The process for canceling or obtaining a refund for a money order is handled by the entity that issued it, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), Western Union, or a specific bank or retailer. While a stop payment, as understood for personal checks, may not apply, a refund or replacement can often be requested if the money order has not yet been cashed. This process usually requires presenting the original receipt and filling out a specific form, and a processing fee may apply.