checking
Do Personal & Business Checks Expire?
Yes, both personal and business checks have an expiration date. That date is typically 6 months from the date that the check was issued, as defined by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
| Read Time: 5 minutes
Important to Know
- Different types of checks have different rules of expiration
- The Payee typically has 6 months to cash a personal or business check
- The Payor should place a stop payment if the check is lost or stolen
- The Payor should reserve enough money in their checking account for all checks written
According to the UCC, Commercial Banks are not required to accept a check that was written more than 6 months prior. Some still accept old checks anyway, but not all.
What's more, other varieties of bank-related checks, such as cashier's checks and traveler's checks have alternate expiration rules associated with them. The same goes for checking-adjacent products like money orders.
If it sounds confusing, it is. Let's find out what the governing rules are when it comes to the expiration of all types of checks.
How Long Are Checks Good For?
As we've previously discussed, personal checks, as well as commonly issued business checks, have a 6 month cashing window from the day they were issued. Most people, especially those getting paid by check, tend to cash them immediately, thus negating the worry of an expiration date.
The most common reason why someone would run up against the six month grace period is that they've managed to lose the check. Maybe you never opened the envelope, or maybe it fell behind your desk and you never thought to look back there. Whatever the reason, a lost check is usually the culprit behind the stress associated with cashing or depositing an "expired" check.
Do Cashier's Checks Expire?
Yes and no. Cashier's Checks are tricky because every financial institution puts forth different rules and regulations regarding the issuing and cashing of a cashier's check.
In some regard, yes, a cashier's check should be redeemable in perpetuity from the issuing bank. However, some financial institutions list an expiration date or a date that the check will become void right on the check itself. One should never delay when it comes to the higher stakes nature of a cashier's check.
Learn: How to Void a Check
Do Money Orders Expire?
Money Orders, like cashier's checks, are another tricky financial instrument. Take a moment to review the fine print on a money order when you receive it. Doing so will help you understand how many days/weeks/months you have to cash it.
While money orders don't expire in the traditional sense, fees might whittle the value down to nothing if given enough time.
Do Traveler's Checks Expire?
No, Traveler's Checks do not expire. That said, we trust traveler's checks from reputable regional and national banks far more than we trust them from one-off, small town banks that could go under.
Do Checks Issued From the Federal or State Government Expire?
Yes, the check itself has an expiration date. However, the value that the check represents does not.
Do yourself a favor and cash those state and federal checks when you get them though. No one, and we mean no one, wants to chase down Uncle Sam because you let the one year expiration window pass by.
If you do, just know that we have you covered with the IRS Customer Service Portal. As for your state's treasury department, a quick Google Search should turn up the appropriate governmental website.
Do Blank Checks Expire?
Never, ever, ever write and sign a blank check. And if you receive one, be a good human and notify the checking account holder. Once notified, return it, write VOID in big letters in pen or marker across it, or tear it up. A blank check is unfettered cash.
Technically, no, they don't expire if they don't have a date on it. But don't let a blank check exist, especially one from your checkbook.
Do Counter Checks Expire?
To our knowledge, yes, Counter Checks expire in the same 6 month fashion as personal checks do. Since a counter check is acquired at the counter of your local bank branch - hence the name - you can, and should, ask the teller if there is an associated expiration date.
Do Insurance Checks Expire?
Insurance checks, like cashier's checks, have some level of gray area associated with them.
According to Jerry, an AI-driven car insurance service, the answer is yes, insurance checks do expire.
"Insurance checks will usually have an expiration date printed near the memo that reads "Void after 60 days" or another amount of time. As long as the expiration date hasn't passed, the check is good to be cashed in."
We suggest that you retain professional legal advice when dealing with and negotiating with an insurance company, especially when it comes to a payout on a claim.
Wrapping Up
When all is said and done, the best policy for ensuring that your check does not expire is to cash or deposit it as soon possible. If you stick to that plan, you won't be worried about any 60/90/180 day expiration policies.