How Long Are Checks Good For?

How Long Are Personal Checks Good For?

Typically, a personal check is good for six months after it was written. After that point, the check is considered "stale." However, some banks and unions still might accept a check older than six months. Also, the state where you live might have different requirements regarding the expiration period for a personal check.

When Do Other Types of Checks Expire?

Personal checks aren't the only types of checks that can expire. Here's a rundown of expiration periods for business checks, U.S. Treasury checks, state and local government checks, cashier's and certified checks, traveler's checks and money orders.

Business Checks

Business checks, such as checks sent to vendors and payroll checks issued to employees, are usually good for six months. And while the phrase "void after 90 days" might appear on some business checks, most banks and credit unions will still honor business checks that have aged past that mark.

U.S. Treasury Checks

A U.S. Treasury check, such as a tax refund or a Social Security benefit, must be cashed within one year of its issue date. After the one-year period ends, the Treasury Department automatically voids the check if it hasn't been cashed and transfers the money to the federal agency that issued the check.

An expired Treasury check can be reissued within six years of the date it initially was issued.

State and Local Government Checks

Generally, a state or local government check is valid for anywhere from six to 12 months after the date it was issued. Checks that fall into this category include tax refunds and benefits checks.

If you've got an expired state or local government check, contact the issuer to see if they can replace the stale check with an updated check.

Cashier's and Certified Checks

For cashier's checks, expiration dates differ according to local laws. Ideally, you should cash a cashier's check before the expiration date printed on it, which might range from 60 to 180 days after the check was issued. Expiration dates don't appear on some cashier's checks, though.

Certified checks typically don't carry an expiration date, but an uncashed certified check might be turned over to a state's unclaimed property agency at some point.

Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks normally don't expire. If you're holding on to an older traveler's check, contact the issuer to see whether the check remains valid.

Money Orders

Money orders usually don't expire. However, you might wind up paying a fee if you don't cash a money order after a certain period.

What Happens if You Try to Cash an Expired Check?

When you try to cash an expired check, or wait too long to cash a valid check, the following are possibilities:

• Your bank and the bank that issued it might honor the check.
• Your bank might decline to cash the check, forcing you to request a replacement check from the issuer.
• Your bank might cash the check, but the bank that issued it might reject it.
• The checking account attached to the expired check might not contain enough money to cover it, or the account might be closed. In these situations, the check might bounce and you might be hit with a returned check fee.
• The check writer may have issued a "stop payment" order, meaning the check can't be deposited or cashed.

Learn more: How to Cash a Check

What to Do With an Expired Check

If you've got an expired check, find out whether your bank or credit union still might honor it. If that doesn't work, contact the issuer about sending a replacement check with a new expiration date.

If a check cannot be cashed and is now void, be sure to securely destroy it to protect the bank and personal information of the person who wrote it.

Pay Attention to Check Expiration Dates

To avoid hassles associated with an expired check, cash or deposit it before the expiration window closes. This means you must take note of whether the check comes with an expiration date. For example, a personal check usually goes stale six months after it was issued.

If you've got a check whose expiration date has passed, ask your bank or credit union whether it'll honor the check or request a replacement check from the issuer. In other words, don't destroy the check until you're sure it's now just a worthless piece of recyclable paper.

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