How Long Is a Paper Check Good For?

Paper checks remain a common method for financial transactions. A check serves as a written order instructing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from a designated account to the person or entity named on the check. Understanding the lifespan of these documents is important for ensuring timely and successful transactions.

Standard Check Validity

Most personal and business checks generally maintain validity for six months from their issue date. This timeframe is outlined by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a framework of commercial laws. Under the UCC, banks are not legally obligated to honor checks presented for payment after this six-month period.

A check presented past this standard duration is considered “stale-dated.” While banks have the discretion to refuse payment on stale-dated checks, they are not prohibited from honoring them. Some financial institutions may still process an older check, especially if the funds are available and there are no other issues. However, relying on this discretion can lead to complications.

Exceptions to Standard Validity

Certain types of checks adhere to different validity periods or rules. U.S. Treasury checks are typically valid for one year from their date of issue. If a U.S. Treasury check expires, the recipient is still entitled to the funds and can contact the issuing federal agency for a replacement. State and local government checks also have varying validity periods, often six months to a year, and can usually be reissued if they expire.

Certified checks and cashier’s checks, which represent guaranteed funds from a bank, generally do not expire or have extended validity. While some may become “stale” after 90 days to a year, the funds typically remain available, though a new check might be required. Money orders technically do not expire, but some issuers may apply service fees if they are not cashed within one to three years, reducing their value.

Additionally, some checks, especially business checks, may have a “Void After X Days” clause printed on them. While this aims to encourage timely deposit, banks often still honor these checks for the standard 180-day period. Post-dated checks, which have a future date written on them, become valid on or after that specified date, and their standard validity period then begins from that future date.

Consequences of Expired Checks

If a stale-dated check is presented, the bank may reject it, potentially leading to fees for the depositor, such as a “deposit item returned” charge. Even if a bank initially accepts a stale check, the issuing bank might still refuse payment, especially if the issuer’s account has insufficient funds or has been closed. This can result in the deposited funds being removed from the recipient’s account and additional fees.

For the payee, an expired check means delayed access to funds or potentially no access at all if the check is refused. The issuer, while still owing the money, might face complications if their bank processes an old check unexpectedly, especially if account balances have changed or if they have placed a stop payment. If a check has expired, the most straightforward path to receiving payment is to contact the issuer and request a new check. This helps avoid bank fees and ensures the funds are successfully transferred.