How Long Does a Check Last Before It Expires?

A check serves as a written order directing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from one account to another. Understanding a check’s lifespan is important for anyone who writes or receives one. Knowing how long a check remains valid helps ensure funds are transferred successfully and prevents potential issues.

Standard Check Lifespan

Most personal and business checks have a lifespan of six months from their issue date. This timeframe is guided by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The UCC specifies banks are not obligated to honor checks presented more than six months after their date.

A check presented after this six-month period is called “stale-dated.” When a stale-dated check is presented, the bank has the discretion to either accept and process the payment or reject it. The bank’s decision typically depends on its internal policies and the current status of the account from which the check was drawn. Prompt deposit of checks is always advisable to avoid potential delays or rejection.

Exceptions to the Rule

While a six-month guideline applies to most personal and business checks, several types of checks operate under different expiration rules. Cashier’s checks and certified checks are typically backed by the issuing bank’s own funds, offering a higher guarantee of payment. These instruments often do not have an explicit expiration date printed on them and can remain valid for extended periods, though the funds may eventually be subject to dormancy or escheatment laws if uncashed for many years.

Money orders, another form of guaranteed payment, also tend to have very long or no explicit expiration dates. Funds from uncashed money orders can similarly become subject to state unclaimed property laws after a certain period of inactivity, which varies by jurisdiction. Government checks, such as federal tax refunds, Social Security payments, or state benefit checks, frequently have a defined expiration, commonly set at one year from the date of issue. These checks often include clear instructions regarding their validity period printed directly on the document.

Some business or payroll checks may include a specific “void after” date or a “void after X days” instruction printed on the check itself. This explicit instruction overrides the standard six-month guideline for typical checks. If such a date is present, the check becomes invalid once that specified period passes, and the financial institution will not honor it.

Handling Expired Checks

If a check has passed its typical lifespan or its stated “void after” date, the recipient should contact the original issuer. Requesting a new check is the most straightforward solution to ensure the payment can be successfully deposited. The original issuer may need to confirm the initial check was never cashed before issuing a replacement.

From the issuer’s perspective, they remain responsible for the funds until the check is cashed or the obligation is otherwise fulfilled. If a check remains uncashed for a very long period, often several years, the issuer may be required to turn over the funds to the state as unclaimed property, a process known as escheatment.

To avoid these complications, both recipients and issuers benefit from prompt handling and deposit of checks. Timely action ensures funds are transferred efficiently and reduces the likelihood of checks becoming stale-dated or subject to escheatment.