How Long Does a Check Last Before It Becomes Invalid?

Checks remain a common method for making and receiving payments, but their validity is not indefinite. Understanding how long a check lasts before it becomes invalid is important for both the person writing the check and the person receiving it. A check’s lifespan can vary depending on its type and the policies of financial institutions.

General Check Validity Periods

Most personal and business checks are considered valid for six months from the date they were written. This timeframe is a common banking practice. After this period, a bank is not legally obligated to honor the check.

This does not mean the check is automatically void. Financial institutions have the discretion to accept checks older than six months, especially if the account has sufficient funds. The six-month period begins from the date printed on the check.

Special Considerations for Certain Checks

Some checks operate under different validity rules. Cashier’s checks and certified checks, backed by the issuing bank’s funds, do not have a fixed expiration date. Banks may have internal policies that consider them “stale-dated” after a period.

Government checks, including U.S. Treasury checks for tax refunds or benefits, have a fixed validity period of one year from their issue date. Post-dated checks, written with a future date, are not intended to be cashed until that specific date arrives. The standard validity period begins from this future date.

What Happens to Expired Checks

When a check is presented after its general validity period, it is referred to as “stale-dated.” Banks are not required to honor stale-dated checks, though they may choose to do so. This decision depends on factors like the account’s fund availability and the absence of a stop payment order.

If a bank honors a stale-dated check, the payment is considered valid. However, depositing an old check can lead to it being returned unpaid. This can result in fees for the person trying to deposit it.

Addressing an Expired Check

If you are holding a check that has become stale-dated, contacting the person or entity who issued it is the simplest way to resolve the situation and ensure payment. Depositing a stale-dated check without prior communication can lead to it being returned and incur fees.

For those who issued a check that has not been cashed after a long period, reconcile financial records. Consider placing a stop payment order on the original check before issuing a replacement. This action prevents the original check from being honored unexpectedly if it is later presented.