How long is a check good for?

By Joanna Nesbit

Have you recently discovered an old uncashed check? Are you wondering how long it's good for and whether you can still deposit it? The answer is possibly yes, but it depends. Different kinds of checks come with their own expiration date, while others don't expire at all. Each financial institution also has its own policies, guided by federal law, for how it treats old outstanding checks. Even if you missed the deadline for depositing a check, you might be able to recoup the money by requesting a new check.

Here we answer the question "How long is a check good for?" and discuss what to know about different types of checks and options for claiming expired funds.

Do checks expire?

When a check expires depends on the type of check and the institution that issued it. 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.

When do checks expire?

All checks are good for six months, and some are valid for a year or more. Here is an overview of how long a check is good for and their associated expiration dates.

• Personal and business checks: Valid for six months (180 days). These include private-party checks, paychecks or business checks. Some banks may be willing to cash or deposit a check after the expiration date.
• U.S. treasury checks: Valid for one year. These types of checks include federal tax refunds, Social Security or disability benefits, veterans' benefits and other federal payments. If you missed the deadline, you can request to have it replaced by the federal agency that issued it because you're still entitled to the funds. If you don't know which agency issued it, call the U.S. Bureau of the Fiscal Service Call Center (1-855-868-0151) for assistance.
• State and local government checks: Expiration varies by state or local jurisdiction laws, but generally checks are valid for at least six months and possibly a year. Types of checks include state tax refund check, state benefits check or other state government checks. Like federal government checks, you are entitled to what is owed, so contact the issuing agency for an updated check if yours has expired.
• Cashier's checks: These can be more complicated because the expiration varies by the financial institution that issued the check. Look for the "void by" date on the check. Some cashier's checks may have no expiration, but more typically they expire after 90 or 180 days. If the cashier's check has expired, contact the issuer for a replacement check. You may need to be able to prove you didn't cash the first check.
• Money orders: Technically, money orders have no expiration, but fees may be charged after a certain period. While USPS money orders never expire, Western Union charges service fees for money orders older than 1 to 3 years. Other institutions may also charge fees that reduce the money order's value.
• Certified checks: Typically, they do not expire but may depend on the policies of the issuing bank. Often after 90 days to a year, the check is considered "stale." The funds are still available from the issuing bank, but you may need to request a new check and pay any fees as a result.
• Traveler's checks: These operate like cash and shouldn't expire if the issuing institution still exists. Use them wherever they're accepted.

To ensure you get your money, the best strategy is to cash or deposit your check right away.

Frequently Ask Questions

Still have questions about how long a check is good for? Get the answers here.

I let a check expire. Can I still get my money?

Maybe. Check with your bank or the issuing bank to find out their policies for expired personal or business checks. If it's a government check or cashier's check, contact the agency or financial institution to request a replacement check.

What should I do with an expired check?

It depends on the type of check and how long it's expired. If your bank won't cash it, reach out to the issuer to see if they can provide a replacement check. They may want to stop payment on the original check before providing a new one.

I wrote a check that never got cashed. What should I do?

Contact the person or business to find out why it wasn't cashed. If you find out it was lost or stolen, place a stop payment order and provide an updated check. If you can't contact the payee, and more than 6 months have elapsed, place a stop payment order. You may need to provide alternative payment, depending on what the check was written for.

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