We all know that checks are a great way to pay bills, make purchases and receive payments. But, how long can you hang onto a check without depositing it before it becomes stale? Find out why it’s important to verify the date on your check, as well as when they expire and how long a check is good for.

The short answer – it varies

How long a check is good for can vary depending on the type of check, the issuing bank and the state in which you live. You can usually find out how long a check is good for by contacting the issuing bank or looking online at their terms and conditions.

The Uniform Commercial Code

Most states have adopted the Uniform Commercial Code , which sets guidelines for businesses. This includes how long a check is good for. Under the UCC Article 4, ‘A bank is under no obligation to a customer having a checking account to pay a check, other than a certified check, which is presented more than six months after its date, but it may charge its customer’s account for a payment made thereafter in good faith.’ This said, banks can honor a check beyond 6 months if they choose to or the bank can choose to return the check to the sender or to pay it.

You can view the complete UCC Article 4 at https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/4

There are several different types of checks, and each type has a different expiration date. The most common type of check is a personal check, which is typically valid for six months. Business checks and cashier’s checks have a shorter expiration date of three months. Traveler’s checks expire after one year.

1. Personal/Business Checks- These are the most common type of check. They are typically used for everyday transactions and can be written for any amount. Most personal checks are written to be valid for 6 months and most business checks are valid for 3-6 months.
2. Cashier’s Checks- These checks are guaranteed by the bank and are used for large transactions. They are usually only valid for a few days or until the funds are withdrawn.
3. Money Orders- Money orders are similar to cashier’s checks but can be purchased at a post office or other retailer. They are typically only valid for a few days or until the funds are withdrawn.
4. Certified Checks- Certified checks are also guaranteed by the bank but can only be issued if you have the funds available in your account at the time of purchase. Certified checks are typically valid for a few days or until the funds are withdrawn.
5. Traveler’s Checks- Traveler’s checks are an alternative to cashier’s checks and money orders but can only be purchased with cash or a check.
6. Bank Draft- A bank draft is a more expensive way of sending a large sum of money overseas as the bank will charge you for the expense of issuing one. A bank draft is not typically available outside the country in which it was issued.

If you have a check that is dated, you may be wondering if it is still good. The answer to this question depends on the bank that issued the check. Each bank has different policies regarding checks, so you will need to contact your bank to find out their specific policy. In general, though, most banks will honor a check for up to six months after the date it was issued.

Checks and State Laws

Most states have laws that put a time limit on how long a check is good for. This is usually between 90 and 180 days. After that, the check is considered “stale” and can be refused by the bank. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have an open account with the payee, they may agree to accept a stale check.

Adding dates to your checks

We can write your checks with any expiration date you wish to use. Most of our clients use 90 days but this can be modified to adhere to your bank’s guidelines. Contact us today to learn more about your check customization options.

Stale checks and Escheat

A check is typically considered stale after six months. However, some banks may consider a check stale after only three months. Once a check becomes stale, the payee may have difficulty cashing it. Banks are not required to cash stale checks, but some may do so at their discretion. If a bank does cash a stale check, it may charge the payee a fee for doing so.

When a check becomes stale it may be considered as abandoned property and the check issuer may still owe you the money. You should first contact the issuer and ask them to reissue the check with a new date.

Checks that remain unclaimed for a certain period of time, may be considered abandoned or unclaimed property, also known as escheat. The time period varies by state, but is generally between three and five years. Once property is considered abandoned or unclaimed, it goes to the state in which it was originally issued. The state then holds the property in trust for the owner and attempts to locate the owner so that they can claim their property.