How Long Is a Written Check Actually Good For? A Complete Guide to Check Validity

Discovering an old written check stashed in a drawer can feel like finding forgotten money, but it raises an important question: can you still cash it? The reality is more nuanced than you might think. While written checks technically don’t have an expiration date, they do become “stale” after a certain period, making it increasingly difficult to get your money. Understanding how long a written check remains valid is essential for anyone who handles payments or receives them.

The confusion around check validity stems from a common misconception—many people believe written checks simply expire like milk past its sell-by date. In reality, banks set their own policies and maintain discretion about processing older checks. The underlying reason for time limits on written checks relates to account holder protection. When someone writes a check, they typically expect funds to be withdrawn within weeks, not months. Bank balances can change dramatically, so after extended periods, there’s less certainty that money remains available.

The Real Timeline: How Long Is a Written Check Good For in Different Scenarios?

Under federal law, a written check generally remains valid for six months. This is the standard validity period that most banks follow, though policies can vary by institution. However, it’s important to distinguish between different types of written checks, as their validity periods differ significantly.

Personal checks have the most forgiving timeline—you have up to six months to cash them. After this point, banks are not required to process the check. If you find yourself holding a personal written check several months old, a quick call to the check writer is wise. This courtesy notification allows them to confirm their account has sufficient funds, preventing the written check from bouncing.

Business checks often display a “Void after 90 days” warning, which creates urgency but isn’t necessarily binding. The actual validity period for a business written check mirrors personal checks at around six months, unless otherwise specified on the check itself. Some business checks may state a one-year validity window. Beyond the stated period, businesses must report and transfer unclaimed funds to their state, following individual state escheat laws.

Cashier’s checks, backed directly by the issuing bank, operate differently than personal or business written checks. While technically possessing no fixed expiration date, if a cashier’s check sits unused too long, banks initiate an escheat process—transferring your money to the state as unclaimed property. You’d then need to request a replacement from the issuing bank, adding complications.

Money orders generally never expire domestically, though state laws vary. However, a critical detail: holding a money order for one to three years may result in service fee deductions, meaning your written check equivalent gradually loses value over time.

Personal vs. Business: Why Written Checks Have Different Time Limits

The distinction between personal and business written checks reflects different risk profiles. Personal checks represent individual transactions with known parties, allowing for more flexible timelines. Business written checks, designed for commercial efficiency, impose stricter deadlines to keep accounting records clean and capital flowing properly. This is why you’ll often see the aggressive “void after 90 days” language—it’s more about operational preference than legal requirement.

Both types face the same 180-day deposit window from a banking perspective. After this point, the issuing bank decides whether to honor the written check. The variation comes from state requirements around unclaimed property reporting, which mandate different dormancy periods and minimum dollar thresholds.

When a Written Check Becomes Void: What You Should Know

A written check marked with “VOID” written across it cannot be cashed or deposited—period. Similarly, a check becomes void if critical information is missing, or if it’s been processed through the escheat system. Understanding this distinction helps you avoid wasting time attempting to cash what has become an invalid written check.

The written check voiding process typically occurs when funds transfer to state custody after extended periods of inactivity. Once this happens, recovering your money requires going through your state’s unclaimed property database rather than the bank.

Your Practical Guide to Handling a Stale Written Check

If you stumble upon an old written check, don’t immediately panic. Several options exist for retrieving your funds.

First, attempt deposit. Your bank may accept an older written check if they verify the issuer maintains sufficient funds. However, if the account closed, carried a stop payment order, or lacked funds, the written check will bounce. Getting this attempt on record provides documentation for follow-up efforts.

Second, contact the issuer directly. Whether it’s a person, employer, or company, issuing a replacement written check is usually straightforward. This fresh check eliminates complications and ensures clean processing. Most people and businesses appreciate knowing about undeposited funds they can recover.

Third, visit the issuing bank in person. Examine your written check to identify which bank issued it, then locate a nearby branch. A banker can verify the issuer’s account status and may be able to cash the written check directly, bypassing the usual deposit network.

The Bottom Line on Written Check Validity

The simplest advice remains the most reliable: deposit all written checks immediately upon receipt. If you do discover a stale written check, your options depend on how old it is and which type of written check you’re holding. Banks maintain latitude in their decisions, so contact your financial institution early in the process.

For checks already transferred to state custody, consult your state’s official unclaimed property database to search for and reclaim your funds. Remember, each bank applies its own written check policies, and state laws add additional layers of complexity—but armed with knowledge about how long written checks remain valid, you can navigate the process confidently.