Do my checks ever expire?
Asked by: Horacio Blanda | Last update: January 22, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (34 votes)
After 180 days — or six months — personal checks are considered "stale." Financial institutions do not legally have to honor them, though some banks may have a more flexible policy. Other types of checks are valid for a year, and some don't expire at all.
How long do checks expire if not cashed?
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a collection of laws and regulations meant to harmonize the laws of sales and regulations across the U.S. The UCC tells banks that they are under no obligation to accept personal or business checks that are older than 180 days (6 months).
Can I cash a 3 year old check?
No, you can't. Unless it says otherwise on the check, checks expire after one year in the United States. Many banks, however, will not cash checks that are more than 6 months old. Your best bet is to contact the person or company who issued the ch...
Do checks ever go out of date?
Typically, personal checks are good for six months (or 180 days) from when they're dated.
Are my old checks still good?
In summary. As noted above, banks are legally obligated to honor a personal check for up to six months. If you find an expired check, you may want to contact whoever issued it before attempting to cash it. If you can, it's usually best practice to cash checks when you receive them.
When you find a check that expired years ago, can you get it cashed?
What are outdated checks?
Checks that remain outstanding for long periods of time can't be cashed, as they become void. Outstanding checks that remain so for a long period of time are known as "stale" checks. Some checks become stale if dated after 60 or 90 days, while all become void after six months.
Is it OK to throw away old checks?
While many banks have moved to digital formats for canceled checks, if you have physical copies or reprints from your bank, shred them. They contain a lot of personally identifiable information that could put you at risk. Stop those canceled checks from posing a risk by having them shredded.
Can expired checks be reissued?
Stale-dated and uncashed checks can only be re-issued within 6 years from the original date of issue, per the Barring Act 31 U.S.C.
Can I cash a 2 year old cheque?
Technically speaking, cheques don't have an expiry date. But, in practice, banks will usually reject a cheque if you try to pay it in or cash it more than six months from the date of issue – that's the date written on the cheque.
Do old checkbooks expire?
After 180 days — or six months — personal checks are considered "stale." Financial institutions do not legally have to honor them, though some banks may have a more flexible policy. Other types of checks are valid for a year, and some don't expire at all.
What are the rules for stale dated checks?
Checks which are at least 180 days old (6 months) are considered stale. Tellers in banks will sometimes reject a check if the date is over that limit. This does not prevent a check from clearing the bank when deposited through other means than a teller.
Can I cash my 16 year old check?
Typically, banks will require you to have your own account with them before they'll cash or deposit a minor's check for you. You may also be able to open a custodial account jointly owned by you and your child, which allows you both to make deposits and withdrawals.
What makes a check invalid?
Some reasons why a bank won't cash a check include not having a proper ID, not having an account with that bank, the check is filled out incorrectly, or the check being too old. Ensure you comply with all the required criteria before attempting to deposit a check.
Are there checks that don't expire?
Expiration dates may vary based on local laws. But it's generally a good idea to cash a cashier's check before the expiration date printed on it, if there is one. Certified checks: Certified checks typically don't expire since UCC guidelines about timing generally don't apply to them.
Can you cash a check 20 years later?
Key takeaways
Checks are typically only valid for six months after being signed. Banks may still accept a stale check, but they are not required to if they have reason to doubt the funds. Different types of checks have different expiration dates.
Do uncashed cheques expire?
If you have an old cheque from the CRA, you can still cash it at any financial institution in Canada for no charge. Government of Canada cheques never expire.
What happens if you deposit an expired check?
After the expiration date, the check is considered "stale." According to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), banks don't have to accept stale checks, but many banks will still honor them, even if the issuer writes “Void after 180 days” or places a stop payment order on the check.
Does a company have to reissue an expired check?
What are the legal obligations of a company regarding checks that have not been cashed? A company's legal obligations regarding uncashed checks include reissuing the check where necessary and maintaining accurate records of outstanding payments, which could potentially be subjected to escheat laws.
Are cheques being phased out?
Next year will see the end of bank cheques, 2026 will be the end of commercial and government cheques, and by 2027 there will be no more personal cheques. By the end of 2030, the entire cheque system should be over and done with. The reality is that there are now much better methods payment available.
Is there a grace period for expired checks?
Legally, any individual or organization issuing a check must honor that payment for at least six months. In some cases, a check will say “void after 90 days,” but the financial institution backing that check may still accept it and process it for up to 180 days, giving the check-holder a 90-day grace period.
What happens to uncashed checks?
Uncashed checks are issued by agency/department but remain uncashed by the payee. Unclaimed checks are returned to an agency/department for which the payee cannot be located.
Will the IRS reissue an expired check?
Call us at 800-829-0115 to request a replacement check. If you have the expired check, please destroy it. When you receive the new check, remember to cash it.
Do unused checks expire?
Usually, blank checks do not expire. But, there could be a few reasons that you might be unable to cash it. A blank check is likely to last for years if you don't write anything on it. But, if there's some writing on it, such as a date and a signature, this will expire after six months.
Should I shred everything with my name and address?
Even if they steal your shredded documents, it's not worth it for them to try to piece them back together. As a general rule, you should always shred unneeded documents that contain your Social Security number (SSN), signature, account numbers, phone number, birthdate, passwords, PINs, and full address.
Can I throw away old credit card statements?
You'll put yourself at risk of fraud or identity theft if you simply throw away private documents, such as financial statements. Invest in a cross-cut shredder that will eliminate all traces of your personal information, or search for free shredding events in your community.