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Key takeaways
- Most personal checks are valid for up to six months (180 days) before they expire.
- Some checks, like government and cashier’s checks, may be valid longer, but it’s best to cash or deposit them as soon as possible.
- To avoid expired or lost checks altogether, consider using direct deposit or mobile check deposit for faster, safer access to your money.
- For any expired check, you can contact the issuer to request a replacement.
If you’ve found an old check tucked away in a drawer, you’re probably wondering how long it’s good for. The short answer is that most personal checks expire after six months, but the timeline depends on the type of check you have. Let’s break down the details so you know exactly what to do.
How long are checks good for?
Personal checks are generally good for 6 months from the date they’re written. After that, they’re considered “stale checks,” and federal law doesn’t require banks or credit unions to process them.
Every bank and credit union handles stale-dated checks differently. Some may still process them if they believe funds are available in the account to cover the payment. However, some may refuse to honor the check. To be safe, it’s best to deposit or cash the check before the six-month period is up.
Types of checks and when they expire
Yes, checks can expire – but the timing depends on the type. Here’s a breakdown of when different checks expire:
| Type of check | Shelf life |
|---|---|
| Business check | 6 months (sometimes 90 days or 1 year) |
| Cashier’s check | Varies by bank (60–90 days or no expiration) |
| Certified check | No set expiration |
| Federal tax refund check | Payments are made electronically |
| Money order | Typically never expires |
| Personal check | 6 months |
| State or local government check | Around 1 year (varies by state) |
| Traveler’s check | Never expires |
| Treasury check | 1 year from issue date |
How long are personal checks good for?
Personal checks expire after six months. Federal law doesn’t require banks and credit unions to accept personal checks older than that.
A personal check is a paper slip signed by you that instructs your bank to transfer a specific amount from your checking account to the payee.
How long are business checks good for?
Business checks (such as employer paychecks or vendor checks) also expire after six months.
In some cases, businesses may print “void after 90 days” on their checks. But your bank may still honor it if you deposit it within six months. Check with your employer to find out how long payroll checks are valid.
How long are cashier’s checks good for?
Cashier’s checks are useful for ensuring a check won’t bounce or for securely making or receiving large payments. Some banks may include language on a cashier’s check that voids it after 60 or 90 days, while others don’t specify a time limit.
Some states have laws that specify when a cashier’s check will be returned to the bank. California is one example: cashier’s checks older than three years will be turned over to the California State Controller’s Office.
How long are certified checks good for?
A certified check is a personal check that a bank has certified to guarantee funds are available. These checks don’t typically expire, but they may be turned over to your state if they’re not cashed in a certain time frame.
How long are federal tax refund checks good for?
In the past, you could choose to have your tax refund deposited electronically into your account or have the IRS mail you a paper check. However, as of Sept. 30, 2025, the IRS began phasing out paper checks for federal tax refunds, aiming to issue future refunds electronically.
Set up direct deposit with the IRS and get your tax refund up to five days early1 when you direct deposit with Chime® and file directly through the IRS.
How long are treasury checks good for?
Treasury checks are considered “stale” one year after issuance. They can be reissued only within six years of the original check date.
How long are state or local government checks good for?
State and local government checks, such as tax refunds and benefit payments, are typically valid for six to 12 months.
This timeframe can vary by state. If you find an old state or local government check, contact the issuing agency to determine whether it’s still valid.
How long are money orders good for?
Money orders are a secure form of payment. They are prepaid, which means they won’t bounce due to insufficient funds.
Since money orders are prepaid, they typically never expire, and you can cash them out anytime. Double-check any rules around fees or money order expiration before cashing.
How long are traveler’s checks good for?
Although traveler’s checks are mostly obsolete, they never expire. If you have an old traveler’s check lying around, you should be able to cash it as long as the issuing financial institution is still operating.
What happens if you try to cash an expired check?
Follow these steps if you’re holding onto an expired check.
1. Contact the issuer for a reissue
If your check has already expired, you can request a replacement from the person, company, or organization that issued it. Depending on their procedures, they might ask you to return the expired check or pay a stop payment fee.
2. Request ACH or digital payment
If you don’t want to wait around for a paper check, ask the issuer if they can send payment electronically instead. An ACH or other digital payment will arrive in your bank account faster, and you won’t have to worry about depositing a check before it expires.
3. Dispose of the old check safely
Once you’ve received your new payment, dispose of the old check. It’s best to shred or tear the check into small pieces to protect your account number and other sensitive information.
Keep your money moving with fewer delays
The answer to “How long can you wait to cash a check?” varies by type, but the simplest way to prevent your check from going stale is to deposit or cash it as soon as possible.
If you have an older check, contact the issuer first to confirm whether it’s still valid. If not, ask if they could re-issue it.
With Chime, you can set up direct deposit to get paid up to two days early,2 or use mobile check deposit to skip the trip to the bank. These fee-free3 features can help you get paid faster and keep your money moving.
Frequently asked questions about check expiration
Can I deposit a 2 year old check?
No, a 2-year-old check is well past the standard six-month expiration window. Contact the issuer to request a replacement.
What happens if a check is never cashed?
If a check is never cashed, it will eventually expire, and the funds remain in the issuer’s account. Contact the issuer to request a new check before it goes stale.
How long until a check is bad?
Most personal checks become stale after six months from the date they were written. Other types, like traveler’s checks and money orders, may never expire.
What happens if you cash an expired check?
Your bank may refuse to process it, since federal law doesn’t require it to honor checks older than six months. Contact the issuer for a replacement rather than depositing an expired check.