The issuing bank may not honor a business check if it is presented after the 90 day period. There are solutions that can a) proactively minimize the stale dated check problem to begin with, and b) deal with stale dated checks that do occur. This latest act empowers the adopting states to review virtually any general ledger category within a corporation’s chart of accounts for possible property subject to escheat. While a bank does have the right to refuse an old check — and even return it to the original issuer — it also might decide to honor it. Before trying to cash a stale-dated check, it might be a good idea to contact the bank that holds the account the check is drawn against to see what its policy is. If there is a message on the screen stating STALE DATED it means the check has been placed in the stale date suspense account by Procurement Services.

We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose https://www.bookstime.com/ objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and what actions you can take to protect yourself.

How can stale-dated checks impact your business?

The United States Department of Treasury automatically voids all uncashed checks after one year from the date of issue and returns the funds to the issuing agency. Stale-dated and uncashed checks can only be re-issued within 6 years from the original date of issue, per the Barring Act 31 U.S.C. 3702(b). A personal or business check that’s older than six months is technically considered stale, but that doesn’t mean it’s void, a bad check or that your bank won’t honor it. It simply means the financial institution has the option to refuse the check.

• It’s important to know that when you get a check it may not be valid forever.
• Santander Bank, for example, charges $15 a check, while at Wells Fargo and Bank of America, the fee is $12.
• The 6-month rule is a general rule, but that doesn’t apply to all types of checks and money orders.
• “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity.

A bank will, in good faith, do all it can to stop payment on a check, but a bank will not guarantee that the check will not be processed. If a bank is unable to stop payment on a check, your funds may be debited https://www.bookstime.com/articles/stale-dated-checks and you may be responsible for any fees including the fee your bank charges for stop payments. When the check is reissued, the employee will receive an email indicating it is available for pickup.

§ 4-404. BANK NOT OBLIGED TO PAY CHECK MORE THAN SIX MONTHS OLD.

When an employee turns in a stale-dated check which needs to be reissued, it will be verified, logged, and turned over to bank reconciliation, who will reissue the check. Cheques are considered stale-dated after six months, unless it is a certified cheque. A stale-dated cheque means that the item is old, and not necessarily invalid. Financial institutions may still honour these items, but there is no obligation to do so. Government of Canada cheques, money orders and bank drafts do not ‘stale-date’.

It’s important to know that when you get a check it may not be valid forever. Checks can become “stale dated” and may be harder, or even impossible, to cash. After confirmation that the check has not been cashed, the HR Processing/Payroll Office will process a replacement check. Coordination with bank “processing deadlines” can delay processing of replacement checks for up to 5 days. Use this information to create a policy on owner contact and state remittance for different categories of uncashed checks.