If you don’t cash in the check for a long time, the payee might think that you lost it – so, to protect the money, they will cancel the check. Once that happens, the bank may reject your claim and the check will bounce back. Even if the person had the funds in their account at the moment of writing the check, it doesn’t mean they will still have it six months later. No one expects their checks to hit six months, so they might not have the money placed aside for you anymore. After those 6 months pass, you may have a hard time trying to cash that check – but under certain circumstances, you may still get them to cash that check for you. Some checks say that they go void after 90 days, so you need to be extra careful about which check you are receiving.
Expiration Date to Cash Check
- However, if you find a check that’s beyond its “sell by” date, contact the issuing bank and your bank to find out whether or not you can still use it.
- Depending on the length of time, you may have to file an unclaimed property claim to recover expired wage payments.
- By exploring these alternative payment methods, you can streamline your financial transactions and reduce the reliance on traditional checks and their expiration dates.
- Personal checks are typically good for 6 months (180 days), but business checks, government checks, U.S.
- The California State Controller indicates wages can become unclaimed property one year after issue.
If the check is within the six-month window from the date it was issued, it is likely still valid. However, it’s always a good idea to consult with your bank to confirm if there are any additional factors that may impact its validity. Another factor to consider is the state of the check itself. If the check is damaged, torn, or has been altered in any way, it may be deemed invalid by the bank. Financial institutions have strict guidelines regarding the condition of checks to prevent fraud and ensure the authenticity of the document.
What to Do With an Expired Check
In addition, the check writer may decide to put a “stop payment” order on the check. This means that they’ve instructed their bank not to pay the check. If a check has a stop payment order, you’ll be unable to cash or deposit it. Checks drafted to a specific recipient, known as a payee, over six months old are at risk of not being cashable.
But stricter landlords can opt to deposit all the checks to their account immediately. To be on the safe side, it’s best to cash in the check as soon as possible to avoid forgetting about it. If you find yourself with an expired check, the best course of action is to contact the issuer. Explain the situation and request a reissuance of the check.
Cashier’s checks
Cashier’s checks are a special type of check and they’re typically used for larger transactions. Read our article about What’s a Cashier’s Check if you’d like more information about cashier’s checks themselves. Many checks, including personal checks, have a 6-month expiration date.
Traveler’s Checks
Checks from federal agencies are normally valid for approximately a year, but expiration dates for checks from state and local governments may vary. A check with “void” written on it means no one can cash or deposit it. A check can also be considered void if it’s missing critical information or goes through the escheat process. When you cash a check, the bank or credit union gives you cash in hand in exchange for the check.
Money Orders
The truth is, according to the UCC, most financial institutions will usually give up to 180 days. You can think of that language as a gentle nudge to cash your check sooner rather than later. It might be a good idea to err on the side of caution, as a bank might deem the check “stale” or “voided” after the 90-day mark. Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, may be subject to approval. Deposit products and related services are offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Make purchases with your debit card, and bank from almost anywhere by phone, tablet or computer and more than 15,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches.
- After this period, the checks are considered stale-dated, and you will need to request a replacement check from the issuing agency.
- Knowing how long a check is good for is essential to avoid the complications of expired or stale-dated checks.
- A stop payment occurs when the check issuer asks their bank to stop processing a check if it has not yet been deposited or cashed.
- It might be a good idea to err on the side of caution, as a bank might deem the check “stale” or “voided” after the 90-day mark.
- That’s according to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a set of laws governing commercial exchanges, including checks.
In other words, don’t destroy the check until you’re sure it’s now just a worthless piece of recyclable paper. 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.
State and Local Government Checks
Other types of checks can take longer to expire or may not expire at all. Cashier’s checks can be a little confusing with regards to expiration dates, which can vary based how long is a check good for on local laws. If a cashier’s check has a pre-printed expiration or void date, it’s probably best to cash it before then.
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