do personal checks expire?

[space-time]

I wrote a check to some institution quite some time ago and they never cashed it in.

So far I always remember about it when I balance my checkbook, but it's a pain in the (3 letter word) to keep track of it. Luckily it is only 1 check I have like this, all other checks have been cashed in.

Once a year passes by, can I assume the bank will no longer allow them to cash the check? if not one year, then what? 5 years? 10?

Thanks

[rgG]

I would call your bank and ask what their policy is, since I think it varies from bank to bank. I think they typically don't like cashing anything that is over 90 days old, but I'm sure it can vary.

[OWC Jamie]

some institutions will not attempt to cash a stale dated check


some states have rules on stale dated checks, some do not

[Racer X]

I vaguely recall that my ex wife who worked at Key Bank for 7 years, told me that banking laws said 1 year. I believe that is also what my dad said when I was growing up. He was a branch manager for a bank back then that eventually got swallowed by BofA.

[Winston]

This all assumes that the automated check processing notices a date on the check.

Not likely.

You could ask the bank to block that one check, but they'd probably charge a fee for that.

Another option is to open a new account whenever your current checks run out.


Good luck.

- Winston

[tronnei]

A check my wife wrote over a year ago was recently cashed. Since processing is automated, a stale date is not likely to be caught unless you put a stop payment on the check (which will cost you).

[Racer X]

Just checked. Most states the issueing bank must honor it for 6 months. After that it is up to their discression. If the bank it is presented to is a different institution than the issueing bank, they may send you to the issueing bank to cash it as a CYA.

[OWC Jamie]

send me a hundred dollar one with last year's date on it and we'll see what happens


edit: heck, you should try a volunteer from each of all fifty states

[space-time]

billb wrote:
send me a hundred dollar one with last year's date on it and we'll see what happens


edit: heck, you should try a volunteer from each of all fifty states

glad to, 5 cents each.

[Michael]

I had 3 uncashed checks that accumulated over several years. One that I wrote to a nephew for Christmas 06 was cashed in August. My brother told me that my nephew found it as he was getting ready to go to college. There was nothing special about it when it came through-it just came through. So, I assume that they are good as long as the account is open even if the rules say they are only good for a period of time.