How Long Is a Personal Check Valid For?

A personal check serves as a written instruction to a bank, authorizing a transfer of funds. Understanding its validity period is important for both the individual writing the check and the person receiving it, helping ensure timely processing and prevent complications.

Standard Validity Period for Personal Checks

Personal checks are generally valid for a period of six months from their written date. This 180-day standard is widely accepted in banking practices and rooted in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The UCC specifies that a bank is not obligated to pay a check presented more than six months after its date.

Banks retain discretion to honor a check even after the six-month period, provided they act in good faith. The individual who wrote the check, known as the drawer, remains legally responsible for the funds until the check is paid or the underlying financial obligation is settled.

Presenting a Stale-Dated Personal Check

A personal check becomes “stale-dated” when presented for payment after the six-month validity period. The bank has the option to accept or refuse it, as there is no legal requirement to honor checks older than six months.

For the payee, attempting to deposit or cash a stale-dated check carries a risk. The bank might reject the check, returning it unpaid, which could lead to fees. If the bank does honor the check, the funds will be debited from the drawer’s account. If the check is not paid, the drawer may still owe the original debt. It is advisable for a payee holding a stale-dated check to contact the drawer and request a new check to avoid any issues.

Specific Validity Instructions and Other Check Types

Sometimes, a personal check may include a specific instruction from the drawer, such as “Void After [Date]” or “Void After 90 Days.” While this encourages prompt cashing, the general six-month rule applies, and banks may still honor such checks for up to 180 days. In the absence of any explicit “void after” instruction, the standard six-month validity period remains the guideline for personal checks.

Other check types have different validity rules. Cashier’s and certified checks, guaranteed by the issuing financial institution, often lack expiration dates but may be subject to state abandoned property laws. Money orders generally do not expire, but some issuers might impose service fees if not cashed within one to three years. U.S. Treasury checks, like tax refunds, are valid for one year from their issue date.