How long is a check good for?
A personal or business check is generally good for six months. After six months it's "stale-dated": under the Uniform Commercial Code the bank doesn't have to pay it, but it may still choose to. Cashier's and certified checks don't expire the same way, and US Treasury checks are good for one year.
By type of check
| Check | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal or business check | 6 months | After that the bank may refuse it (UCC 4-404) |
| Check marked "Void after 90 days" | As printed, in practice | Common on payroll and rebate checks; banks often follow it |
| Cashier's check | No fixed expiry | Unclaimed funds eventually go to the state as unclaimed property |
| Certified check | No fixed expiry | Same as cashier's checks |
| Money order | Usually no expiry | Some issuers charge a fee if it's not cashed within a year or more |
| US Treasury check | 1 year from issue | Tax refunds and federal benefits |
Depositing an old check
- Try to deposit it. Many banks still accept checks older than six months.
- If the bank refuses, ask the person or company that wrote it for a new check. The debt isn't gone just because the check is old.
- If they can't be reached, the money may end up with the state's unclaimed property office, where you can claim it later.
If you wrote the check
A check that hasn't been cashed is still money owed. Don't count it as spent and forgotten: keep it in your check register as outstanding. If it's lost, place a stop payment and send a new one. Old outstanding checks also mess up your bank reconciliation, see how to balance a checkbook.
Businesses that hold unclaimed payroll or vendor checks usually have to report them to the state after a dormancy period, often one to five years depending on the state and type of payment.
Postdated checks
Writing a future date doesn't stop the bank from paying the check early unless you've given the bank a notice describing the check. If timing matters, hand the check over on the date instead.
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Print a checkQuestions
Is a check good after 90 days?
Usually yes. The six-month rule applies unless the check itself says "Void after 90 days", in which case the bank will often refuse it after that date.
Is a check good after a year?
The bank may refuse it, but it isn't required to. Ask the writer for a new check if your bank won't take it.
Do business checks expire faster than personal checks?
No. The same six-month rule applies, unless the company prints a shorter limit on the check.
Sources: Uniform Commercial Code § 4-404 and § 4-401; 31 U.S.C. § 3702 (Treasury checks). Checked October 31, 2026. General information, not legal advice.