How Long Is a Check Good For and Do Checks Expire?

Checks are a widely used payment method. Understanding how long a check remains valid and whether it can expire helps prevent complications like rejected payments or delays in accessing funds.

Standard Check Validity

Most personal and business checks are valid for six months (180 days) from their issue date. After this timeframe, a check is considered “stale-dated.” Banks are not legally obligated to honor checks past this duration, but they may choose to do so.

Even if a check has a pre-printed “void after 90 days” phrase, most banks will still honor it for the full 180-day period. This validity period helps ensure funds are available and provides a clear cutoff for financial records.

Special Check Types

Different types of checks can have varying validity periods, with some having no expiration date. Certified checks are guaranteed by the issuing bank, which sets aside the funds at issuance. These checks typically do not expire, though some institutions may require re-verification.

Cashier’s checks are drawn on the bank’s own funds. Many cashier’s checks do not expire, but some may have a “void by” date. Government-issued checks are valid for one year from their issue date. Money orders generally do not expire, but some issuers may charge service fees after a period, which can reduce the value.

Bank Discretion for Stale-Dated Checks

When a check becomes stale-dated, a bank’s handling falls under Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) 4-404. This code states a bank is not obligated to pay a check, other than a certified check, that is presented more than six months after its date. This grants banks discretion to refuse payment.

However, banks are not prohibited from paying stale-dated checks if they choose to, especially if the account has sufficient funds and there are no indicators of fraud. If a bank decides to honor a stale-dated check, it may still charge the customer’s account in good faith. This means funds might still be debited from the issuer’s account, requiring monitoring of outstanding payments.

Addressing Expired or Uncashed Checks

If you receive a stale-dated check, contact the issuer to request a reissued check or an alternative payment method. For the individual or business that issued a check that has not been cashed, monitoring bank statements is important to identify outstanding payments.

If an old check remains uncashed, consider issuing a stop payment order through your bank to prevent the original check from being processed. A stop payment order typically incurs a fee. If the original check is no longer valid or a stop payment is placed, a new check can be issued. For very old, uncashed funds, state escheatment laws may apply, requiring unclaimed property to be turned over to the state after a dormancy period.