Short answer: to stop payment on a check, contact your bank as soon as possible, through online banking, the app, by phone or at a branch, and give it the check number, amount, payee and date. It only works if the check hasn’t been cashed or deposited yet. Banks usually charge a fee, and the order generally lasts six months (a phone order may last only 14 days unless you confirm it in writing). Facts checked November 11, 2026.
Order checks at Checks Unlimited →
Affiliate link: GetBankChecks.com earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
On this page
When to stop payment on a check
- The check was lost or stolen, or a whole checkbook went missing.
- You wrote it for the wrong amount or to the wrong person and can’t get it back.
- A deal fell through, such as goods not delivered or work not done, and you need to dispute it.
- You suspect fraud, for example a check you wrote was altered or copied.
If you still have the check, you don’t need a stop payment: just void it and record it in your register.
How to stop payment on a check, step by step
- Check that it hasn’t cleared. Look at your account online; once the check is paid, a stop payment is too late.
- Contact your bank. Most banks let you place a stop payment in online banking or the app; you can also call or visit a branch.
- Give the details (see the list below). The amount must be exact to the cent, or the bank may miss the check.
- Pay the fee and get a confirmation with the date and how long the order lasts.
- Confirm it in writing if you placed it by phone and the bank asks you to.
- Tell the payee if appropriate, and pay them another way if you still owe the money.
- Record it in your check register and watch your statements until the order expires.
What you need to stop payment
| Detail | Why the bank needs it |
|---|---|
| Check number | Banks match stop orders mainly by check number |
| Exact amount | Used with the number to find the check; a wrong amount can let it through |
| Payee name | Confirms it is the right check |
| Date written | Helps the bank match the check |
| Reason (sometimes) | Lost, stolen, disputed or written in error |
| A range of check numbers | If a whole checkbook was lost or stolen |
Not sure of the details? Your check register or duplicate copy has them, and how to read a check shows where each number is printed.
How much a stop payment costs and how long it lasts
- Fee: most banks charge a stop payment fee, commonly in the range of about $15 to $35; some waive it for premium accounts or for lost and stolen checks. Check your bank’s fee schedule.
- Written orders: under the Uniform Commercial Code, a written stop payment order is generally effective for six months and can be renewed in writing.
- Phone orders: an oral order generally lapses after 14 days unless you confirm it in writing within that time.
- After it expires: the bank may pay the check if it is presented, so renew the order or close the account if the check is still out there. Personal checks older than six months can also be refused as stale; see how long a check is good for.
If the check was already cashed
A stop payment can’t undo a check that has been paid. If the check was stolen or forged, report it to your bank right away and ask about filing a claim; banks generally have to reimburse checks with a forged signature if you report them promptly. If you simply disagree with the payee, you will need to settle it with them directly. See check fraud for warning signs.
Other ways to cancel a check
- Get the check back from the payee and void it.
- Close the account if many checks are missing; ask your bank whether a new account number is better than several stop orders.
- Electronic payments are different: to stop a recurring electronic payment from your account, tell your bank at least three business days before it is scheduled.
- Cashier’s and certified checks generally can’t be stopped like a personal check; if one is lost or stolen, ask the issuing bank about its claim process.
Reordering checks: prices
If you closed an account or lost a checkbook, here is what a new pack of 80 personal checks costs on Checks Unlimited’s own site today:
| Checks Unlimited design | Checks per pack | 1 pack | 2 packs | 4 packs | Duplicates (1 / 2 / 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Classic | 80 | $23.49 | $38.99 | $72.29 | $29.49 / $48.99 / $90.49 |
| Peanuts | 80 | $26.49 | $44.29 | $81.79 | $32.49 / $54.29 / $99.79 |
| Single Photo (your own photo) | 80 | $28.49 | $49.59 | $87.69 | $34.49 / $59.79 / $106.19 |
| High Security Parchment | 80 | $28.49 | $49.59 | $87.69 | $34.49 / $59.79 / $106.19 |
Prices checked November 11, 2026 on Checks Unlimited’s own product pages, before shipping and taxes. Checks Unlimited says its prices include a per-pack handling fee, and both singles and duplicates come 80 checks per pack. Prices change, so confirm them at checkout.
How to stop payment on a check: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to stop payment on a check?
Most banks charge a fee, commonly around $15 to $35 per stop payment order. Some accounts include free stop payments; check your bank’s fee schedule.
How long does a stop payment last?
A written stop payment order generally lasts six months and can be renewed. An order placed by phone may lapse after 14 days unless you confirm it in writing.
Can you stop payment on a check that has already been cashed?
No. Once your bank has paid the check, a stop payment no longer works. If the check was forged or stolen, report it to your bank right away.
Can I stop payment on a check online?
Usually yes. Most banks let you place a stop payment in online banking or the mobile app, often in the account services or check services menu.
Need new checks? Checks Unlimited sells 80 checks from $23.49 a pack.
Shop personal checks at Checks Unlimited →
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 void a check
- How long is a check good for?
- How to cash a check
- Check fraud
- How to write a check
- How many checks are in a box?
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.