How Long Until a Check Expires and What to Do
Understand the varying lifespans of different check types and how to manage them, whether they're still valid or past their prime.
Checks do not remain valid indefinitely. Various factors, including banking practices and legal guidelines, dictate a check’s lifespan. Understanding a check’s validity period is important for both recipients and issuers to ensure smooth financial transactions and prevent complications.
Standard Expiration Periods
Personal and business checks are generally considered “stale-dated” after six months from their issue date. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) states a bank is not obligated to pay a check presented more than six months after its date.
Banks retain the discretion to process stale-dated checks, though it is not guaranteed. Prompt deposit or cashing of checks is advisable to avoid potential issues.
Checks with Specific Terms
Some checks deviate from the typical six-month expiration period due to their nature or explicit terms. Federal government checks, for example, are typically valid for one year from their issue date. If a federal government check expires, the payee can request a reissuance from the relevant agency.
Certified, cashier’s, and teller’s checks are backed by the issuing bank’s funds, offering a higher level of security. These official checks generally do not have a hard expiration date in the same way personal checks do. However, if they remain uncashed for an extended period, they can become subject to state escheatment or unclaimed property laws.
Money orders also typically lack a strict expiration date, but they can be affected by dormancy rules. After a certain period, some money orders may begin to incur service fees. Like other uncashed instruments, money orders can eventually be subject to state unclaimed property laws. Some checks may also explicitly state a “Void After X Days/Months” clause directly on the check, overriding general guidelines.
Handling Expired Checks
When a check appears to be expired, the appropriate course of action depends on whether you are the recipient or the issuer. For a recipient holding an old check, the first step involves examining the check itself for any explicit expiration date printed on its face. If no such date is present, or if the check is past its standard six-month period, contacting the person or entity who wrote the check is advisable. Attempting to deposit a clearly expired check may result in it being returned unpaid by the bank, potentially leading to fees for the recipient.
For the individual or business that issued a check that has not been cashed after a significant time, reconciling bank accounts is an important practice. If a check remains outstanding for six months or more, contacting the payee to confirm receipt and inquire if a new check is needed is a prudent step. Before issuing a replacement check, the issuer may consider placing a stop payment on the original uncashed check to prevent it from being cashed unexpectedly. A stop payment order typically lasts for six months and may involve a fee, often ranging from $30 to $35. This action helps ensure that only the newly issued check is honored, preventing double payment.