Federal law gives you 180 days to deposit a check, but banks often stop honoring them after 6 months
A check is technically valid for 180 days (six months) from the date written on it, according to the Uniform Commercial Code that governs checks across the United States. However, banks are not required to process a check older than six months, and most will refuse it. Some banks may cash or deposit a very old check if the account holder approves it, but you should not count on this.
The practical deadline is much shorter than the legal one. Most banks treat checks as stale after 6 months and will reject them outright. If you find a check that is close to or past that mark, contact the person or business that issued it and ask for a replacement rather than trying to deposit the old one.
The date on the check is what matters — not the date you received it or the date you try to deposit it. A check dated January 15 expires around July 15, regardless of when it arrives in your mailbox.
Key Takeaways
- Checks are valid for 180 days from the date written on them, but banks typically refuse to process checks older than six months.
- The expiration date is based on the date printed on the check itself, not when you received it or when you deposit it.
- If a check is stale, contact the issuer and request a replacement check rather than attempting to deposit the old one.
- Some banks may process an old check with written approval from the account holder, but this is not may provide and varies by institution.
- Depositing a stale check through mobile deposit or an ATM may fail silently, so verify with your bank before attempting it.
Why banks reject checks older than six months
Banks reject stale checks as a fraud prevention measure. An old check could indicate a lost or stolen checkbook, a closed account, or a stop-payment order that was issued years ago. Processing it without verification creates risk for the bank and the account holder.
The six-month window also aligns with how long banks keep records. If a dispute arises over a check, the bank needs to be able to pull the original transaction and verify it against the account holder's records. After six months, many banks have archived or deleted those records.
What happens when you try to deposit a stale check
If you deposit a check older than six months through a teller, the teller will usually catch it and refuse the deposit immediately. They may offer to contact the issuer on your behalf, but this is not standard practice.
Mobile deposit and ATM deposits are riskier. The check image may be accepted by the system, and you may see a temporary credit to your account. However, the check will likely be rejected during the back-end clearing process — sometimes days or weeks later. Your bank will then reverse the deposit, and you will lose the funds again. This can cause overdraft fees if you spent money based on the deposit.
How to handle a check you cannot deposit
Contact the person or business that issued the check. Explain that the check is now stale and ask them to issue a replacement. Most will do this at no cost, especially if the check was recent (within a few weeks of the six-month mark).
If the issuer is a business, call their accounting or customer service department. If it is a personal check from someone you know, a phone call or text is usually enough. Have the original check number and amount ready when you contact them.
Do not attempt to alter the date on the check or ask someone else to reissue it under a different name. This constitutes check fraud and is a criminal offense.
Checks dated in the future (post-dated checks)
A check with a future date — for example, one dated three weeks from today — is technically not yet valid. However, most banks will process it immediately anyway, even though the account holder may not have the funds yet. This is a common source of overdrafts and disputes.
If you receive a post-dated check, do not assume you can hold it safely until that date. Deposit it right away if you need the money, or ask the issuer to contact you when they are ready for you to cash it. Do not rely on the future date as a may provide of when the money will leave their account.
State variations and special circumstances
Most states follow the 180-day rule, but a few have different rules for certain types of checks. Government checks, tax refunds, and payroll checks sometimes have different expiration windows. If you are holding a check from a government agency or your employer, check their website or call to confirm the deadline.
Some banks may honor a check older than six months if the account holder calls and authorizes it. This is a courtesy, not a requirement, and depends on the bank's policy and the account holder's relationship with the bank. Never assume this will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check that is exactly six months old?
Technically yes, but it is risky. The six-month mark is when banks begin refusing checks, so one that is exactly 180 days old may be accepted by one bank and rejected by another. If the check is close to six months old, contact the issuer for a replacement to avoid rejection.
What if I deposited a stale check and it was rejected weeks later?
Contact your bank immediately. Explain that the check was rejected and ask them to reverse any overdraft fees that resulted from the reversal. Many banks will waive one fee if you explain the situation. Then contact the check issuer and request a replacement.
Does the six-month rule apply to cashier's checks or money orders?
Cashier's checks and money orders have different rules and are generally honored longer than personal checks. However, they can still become stale. Check with your bank or the issuing institution if you are unsure about a specific check.
Can I deposit a check if the person who wrote it has passed away?
This depends on the account holder's estate and whether the check was signed before death. Contact the bank that issued the check and explain the situation. You may need to provide a death certificate or work with the estate's executor.