Short answer: a personal or business check is generally good for 6 months (180 days) from the date written on it. After that it is “stale-dated”, and the bank can refuse it, though it may still choose to pay. U.S. Treasury checks are good for 1 year. Cashier’s checks, certified checks and money orders follow different rules, and any check printed “Void after 90 days” should be cashed within that time. Facts checked November 11, 2026.
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How long each type of check is good for
| Type of check | Generally good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal check | 6 months (180 days) | Bank may pay later, but doesn’t have to |
| Business or payroll check | 6 months, unless printed otherwise | Many say “Void after 90 days” |
| Cashier’s check | No set legal expiry in most states | Issuing banks may set their own limits; unclaimed funds can go to the state |
| Certified check | No 6-month cutoff for the bank | The bank has already set the money aside |
| U.S. Treasury check (e.g. tax refund) | 1 year from issue | After a year it can’t be cashed; ask the issuing agency for a new payment |
| Money order | Usually no expiry | Some issuers charge a fee after a year or more |
The 6-month rule for personal checks
The rule comes from the Uniform Commercial Code, which nearly every state follows: a bank isn’t obliged to pay an ordinary check presented more than six months after its date. That is a limit on the bank’s duty, not a ban, so a bank may still pay a stale check, especially if the account holder hasn’t stopped it. Most banks also look at the date to decide whether to accept a check at all.
The six months run from the date written on the check, not the day you received it. A post-dated check (dated in the future) can’t be relied on either: banks may pay it early unless the writer gave notice.
“Void after 90 days” checks
Businesses, insurers and payroll providers often print “Void after 90 days” (or 60 or 180 days) on their checks. It means the writer doesn’t intend to honor the check after that date, and banks often refuse it once the date has passed, so deposit or cash it within that window. If you miss it, contact the company that wrote the check and ask it to reissue the payment.
What to do with an old check
- Look at the date and any “void after” line on the front.
- Under 6 months: endorse and deposit it as usual; see how to deposit a check.
- Over 6 months: call the person or business that wrote it and ask for a new check, or ask your bank whether it will accept it. If a stale check is deposited and later returned, your bank may charge a returned-item fee.
- Government or tax refund check over a year old: contact the agency that issued it for a replacement.
If you wrote the check
A check you wrote that hasn’t been cashed is still money owed. Keep it marked as outstanding in your check register and keep enough in the account, since the bank may still pay it after six months. If it is lost, or you want to cancel it, ask your bank for a stop payment (usually for a fee). If you still hold an unused check, void it instead.
Where to order checks: prices
If you are writing a new check to replace a stale one, here is what a box of plain blue personal checks costs on each printer’s own site today:
| Checks | Checks per box | 1 box | 2 boxes | 4 boxes | Duplicates (1 / 2 / 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checks Unlimited Blue Classic | 80 | $23.49 | $38.99 | $72.29 | $29.49 / $48.99 / $90.49 |
| Checks Unlimited High Security Parchment | 80 | $28.49 | $49.59 | $87.69 | $34.49 / $59.79 / $106.19 |
| Carousel Checks basic blue (VAL-001) | 100 | $20.00 | $39.50 | $79.00 | $22.00 / $44.00 / $88.00 |
| Walmart Checks Blue Secure | 100 | $12.75 | $25.49 | $50.99 | $14.46 / $28.92 / $57.85 |
Prices checked November 11, 2026 on each seller’s own product page, before shipping and taxes. Checks Unlimited says its product prices include handling fees and sells 80 checks per box; Walmart Checks lists free standard shipping and 100 checks per pack; Carousel sells 100 checks per box. Prices change, so confirm them at checkout.
How long is a check good for: frequently asked questions
Can you cash a check after 6 months?
Sometimes. After six months a check is stale-dated and the bank doesn’t have to pay it, but it may choose to. Ask your bank, or ask the writer for a new check.
How long is a cashier’s check good for?
A cashier’s check usually has no set legal expiry, but the issuing bank may set its own limits and unclaimed funds can eventually go to the state, so deposit it promptly.
How long is a tax refund check good for?
U.S. Treasury checks, including federal tax refund checks, are good for one year from the issue date. After that, contact the issuing agency for a replacement payment.
What does “void after 90 days” mean on a check?
The writer doesn’t intend to honor the check more than 90 days after its date, and banks often refuse it after that. Deposit it before then, or ask the writer to reissue it.
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Checks Unlimited prices checked November 11, 2026, before shipping. Affiliate link: GetBankChecks.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Related guides
- Where to order checks
- How to stop payment on a check
- How to cash a check
- How to deposit a check
- How to write a check
- How to void a check
- How to read a check
- How to endorse a check
- Check registers
- Cheapest checks 2026
Affiliate disclosure: GetBankChecks.com is an independent guide, not a check printer or a bank. Some links are affiliate links, and we earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and designs change, so check them on the merchant’s site before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal or banking advice; your bank’s rules apply.