Most checks are valid for six months, but banks can refuse them after 90 days

A check does not have a legal expiration date in the way a coupon does. However, banks treat checks as stale after six months from the date written on the check. After that point, the bank that issued the check (the payer's bank) can refuse to cash it, and most will. Some banks start refusing checks after 90 days, so waiting longer than three months puts you at real risk of the check being rejected.

The person or business who wrote the check can also put a stop payment on it at any time, which means the bank will not cash it even if you bring it in the same day. If you hold a check for months, the writer might have already stopped payment, thinking you lost it or are not coming back.

The safest approach is to cash or deposit a check within a few days of receiving it. If you wait weeks or months, you should contact the person who wrote it and ask them to write a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks can refuse to cash a check more than six months old, and many refuse after 90 days.
  • The person who wrote the check can stop payment at any time, making an old check worthless even if the bank would normally cash it.
  • Cashing a check within a few days of receiving it removes the risk of it being refused or stopped.
  • If a check is refused, you will need to contact the writer and ask for a replacement or payment by another method.

What happens when you try to cash a stale check

When you bring an old check to a bank or check-cashing service, the teller will look at the date. If it is more than six months old, they can refuse it outright. Some banks have a policy of refusing checks older than 90 days. The teller will tell you the check is stale and hand it back.

If the check is refused, you have no recourse with the bank. The bank is following standard banking rules, and they are not required to explain why they will not cash it. Your only option is to contact the person or business that wrote the check and ask them to issue a new one or send payment another way.

Even if a check is not yet six months old, the bank can still refuse it if the writer has placed a stop payment order. This is common when someone thinks a check was lost or stolen, or when they want to cancel a payment for any reason. A stop payment order stays in effect indefinitely unless the writer cancels it.

Why banks refuse old checks

Banks refuse stale checks because they are protecting themselves and the account holder. If a check is very old, the account holder may have already spent the money or closed the account. Cashing the check could overdraw the account or cause other problems. The bank also has no way to know if the check was lost, stolen, or intentionally held by someone else.

The six-month rule is a banking standard set by the American Bankers Association, though individual banks can set shorter timeframes. It is not a law, which means banks have the right to refuse checks older than six months, but they are not required to. Some banks will cash checks older than six months if you ask and they can verify the account is still active, but this is rare and not may provide.

How to avoid problems with check timing

The simplest way to avoid a refused check is to cash or deposit it within a few days. If you receive a check and cannot deposit it right away, do it as soon as you can. Most checks will be processed without any issue if they are less than 90 days old.

If you receive a check and know you will not be able to cash it for several weeks, contact the person who wrote it and let them know. They can write a new check with a later date, or they can send payment another way. This is especially important for business checks or checks from government agencies, which may have their own rules about when they can be reissued.

If you find an old check in a drawer or envelope, do not assume it is worthless. Check the date. If it is less than six months old, try to cash it. If it is older than six months, contact the writer before going to the bank. They may be willing to reissue it, or they may tell you the payment was already made another way.

What to do if your check is refused

If a bank refuses to cash your check because it is stale, ask the teller for the reason in writing if possible. This gives you proof of what happened. Then contact the person or business that wrote the check as soon as you can.

When you contact them, explain that the check was refused and ask them to either write a new check or send payment by another method, such as a bank transfer, credit card payment, or cash. Keep the old check in case they ask to see it. If the check was for a significant amount or from a business, ask for a receipt or confirmation once the new payment is sent.

If the person or business refuses to reissue the check or send payment another way, you may have a dispute on your hands. Document everything — the original check, the date you received it, the date you tried to cash it, and all communication with the writer. If the amount is small, it may not be worth pursuing further. If it is large, you may want to consult with a lawyer or small claims court about your options.

Personal checks versus business and government checks

Personal checks from individuals usually follow the standard six-month rule. Business checks from companies may have different policies depending on the bank and the company. Some businesses issue checks with shorter validity periods printed on them, though this is uncommon.

Government checks, such as tax refunds or benefit payments, often have their own rules. Some government agencies will reissue a check if it is not cashed within a certain time, usually one year. If you have a government check that is old, contact the agency that issued it to find out whether it is still valid and what your options are.

Payroll checks from your employer follow the same six-month rule as personal checks, but your employer may have a policy about reissuing old checks. If you have an uncashed payroll check, contact your payroll or human resources department and ask them to issue a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bank cash a check that is older than six months?

Banks can refuse checks older than six months, and most do. Some banks refuse checks after 90 days. A bank is not required to cash an old check, even if the account that issued it is still active and has enough money. If your check is refused, you will need to ask the writer for a new one.

What if I lost a check and found it a year later?

A check that is a year old is almost certainly stale and will be refused by the bank. Contact the person or business that wrote it and explain what happened. They may be willing to write a new check or send payment another way, but they are not required to. Keep the old check as proof of the original payment.

Does the date on the check matter if I deposit it early?

A check with a future date (called a post-dated check) can still be deposited early at most banks. The bank will process it right away, even if the date on the check is weeks or months in the future. Some banks will hold the deposit until the date on the check, but this is less common. Ask your bank about their policy on post-dated checks.

Can I cash a check if the person who wrote it has died?

If the person who wrote the check has died, the check is no longer valid. The bank will refuse it because the account holder is deceased. You will need to contact the person's estate or family to see if the debt can be paid another way. If the check was for a significant amount, you may want to consult with a lawyer.

What if the check amount is written differently than the numbers?

If the written amount and the number amount do not match, the bank will refuse the check or ask you to contact the writer. By law, the written amount takes priority over the number amount. Ask the person who wrote the check to issue a new one with matching amounts, or ask them to correct it and initial the change.