Understanding Check Validity: How Long Are Your Checks Actually Good For?

Finding an old check tucked away in your desk drawer or jacket pocket is surprisingly common. The U.S. Department of Labor has documented that alone from retirement plan distributions, roughly $15 million in checks go uncashed annually. When you factor in paychecks, insurance reimbursements, refunds, and other sources, the total value of undeposited checks likely reaches hundreds of millions or more. But once you discover that forgotten check, the pressing question becomes: can you still cash it? Understanding check validity is crucial because many people mistakenly believe checks expire like perishable goods—when in fact the rules are more nuanced.

The Basic Timeline for Different Types of Checks

Technically speaking, checks don’t truly expire. Instead, they become “stale,” which is a distinct legal status from having an actual expiration date. This distinction matters because it means your ability to cash a stale check depends on multiple factors, including the check type, the issuing bank’s policies, and applicable state laws.

Banks maintain considerable discretion in whether they’ll honor older checks. Their caution stems from a practical concern: when someone writes a check, they typically have their current account balance in mind and expect the recipient to deposit it within days or weeks. After months pass, circumstances shift—account balances fluctuate, financial situations change, and confidence in fund availability diminishes. If you wait too long, the check might bounce due to insufficient funds.

Personal Checks: The Six-Month Rule Explained

For personal checks, federal law establishes a clear guideline: you have up to six months (180 days) to cash or deposit the check. After this six-month window closes, your bank is not legally obligated to process the payment. However, individual banks may still choose to cash older checks at their discretion—each institution sets its own policies.

The practical implication is important: if you’re planning to deposit a personal check several months after receiving it, a courtesy call to the check writer is worthwhile. Inform them of your intention to deposit the check so they can verify their account has sufficient funds. This simple step prevents the disappointment of a bounced check. If you don’t make that call and the account has been depleted, you’ll discover the hard way that the check cannot be honored.

Cashier’s Checks and the Escheat Process

Cashier’s checks occupy a different category. Considered “official checks” backed directly by the issuing bank, they don’t have specific printed expiration dates like some personal checks do. However, this doesn’t mean they remain valid indefinitely.

If a cashier’s check is held too long without being deposited, the issuing bank may initiate what’s called the “escheat process.” In these situations, the bank transfers unclaimed funds to the state government as unclaimed property. When this happens, you can’t simply take the old check to your bank for payment. Instead, you must request a replacement check from the issuing bank, which adds time and inconvenience to your process. This is why holding cashier’s checks for extended periods isn’t advisable.

Business Checks: Beyond the 90-Day Label

Business checks frequently display “Void after 90 days” printed on them. While this language seems definitive, it’s more of a polite suggestion than an absolute rule. The 90-day notation encourages prompt deposit and prevents administrative headaches for the issuing business.

In reality, business checks follow similar rules to personal checks and typically remain negotiable for six months. Some business checks may be valid for up to one year, depending on what’s written on the check itself. The key is examining the actual check to see if it specifies a different validity period. After the six-month or longer period specified, the business must report and escheat any unredeemed funds to the state government as unclaimed property. Each state has its own requirements regarding minimum dollar amounts and minimum dormancy periods before this transfer occurs.

Money Orders: A Different Set of Rules

Money orders represent a special case because the issuing entity provides the funds upfront, guaranteeing the money is available. Domestic money orders technically don’t have expiration dates, but terms vary significantly by state. Always check the fine print on the back of your money order for specific requirements in your state.

One important caveat: even though money orders don’t technically expire, a nonrefundable service fee—typically between 1-3 years after purchase depending on your state—may be deducted from the principal amount. This means money orders can gradually lose value if left unredeemed for extended periods, making them a poor choice for long-term storage of funds.

What Happens to Voided and Stale Checks

A check marked with the word “void” cannot be cashed or deposited under any circumstances. No bank will process it. Additionally, checks become void if they’re missing critical information (like a signature or amount), or if they’ve gone through the escheat process and transferred to the state.

Understanding the difference between “stale” and “void” is important. A stale check is merely old but may still be negotiable. A void check is explicitly unusable and represents money you cannot access through that particular instrument.

Recovering Your Money from Outdated Checks

If you discover an old check in your possession, don’t assume the money is lost. Several options remain available to recover those funds.

First, attempt to deposit the check through your bank or credit union. Your financial institution may accept it if they believe the issuer maintains sufficient balance to cover the amount. However, banks cannot help if the issuer has closed their account, placed a stop order on the check, or has insufficient funds.

Second, contact the check issuer directly. Whether it’s a friend, your employer, or a company you conduct business with, many will gladly reissue a fresh check that you can deposit without complications. This often proves the fastest route to accessing your money.

Third, visit the branch of the bank that issued the original check. Ask a banker to validate whether the issuer has adequate funds, and they may be able to process the payment for you directly. This approach is particularly useful for cashier’s checks or checks from entities you’re not in direct contact with.

If you suspect funds have been escheated to your state, visit the official government unclaimed property database and search for your name or your business name in your state. Many people discover money they forgot about through this process.

Bottom Line

The key takeaway is straightforward: deposit checks as soon as you receive them. This eliminates ambiguity, ensures funds are secured, and prevents the stress of dealing with stale checks later.

If you do find yourself with an outdated check, your first step should be contacting either the check issuer or the financial institution that issued it. Remember that each bank operates under its own policies and maintains discretion when deciding whether to honor older checks. There’s no universal rule beyond the six-month federal guideline for personal checks. By taking prompt action and exploring your options, you can often recover money from stale checks. And if you believe you have unclaimed funds that may have been transferred to your state, the official unclaimed property database is your best resource for locating and retrieving that money.