How Long Do You Have To Cash A Check (And Why)?

Exact Time: 6 months

You can’t expect the check to be good for more than 180 days. Before predicting how long do you have to cash a check, you have to look at the type of check it is. For example, the time for how long the personal checks are good for, will not be the same for other types of checks.

According to the guidelines of UCC (Uniform commercial code), the check is not good after 180 days (6 months). You will find few banks that accept old checks, as it depends on the bank’s guidelines as well. Generally, the business and personal checks are accepted (or good) for 6 months. After the time period is over, the bank may not accept your check.

How Long Do You Have To Cash A Check?

The time period to cash a check is around 6 months. You can’t expect the check to last after the limited time period. There are different types of checks and the time to cash a check for each check would be different.
The time period is fixed under many regulations, and the banks are required to would it correctly. The business and personal checks are good for 180 days. Some people may find a 90 days time period to cash a check, but the banker may accept it for 180 days. The print is to create awareness among the people to cash a check at the earliest.

It’s always recommended to cash a check at the earliest to avoid any chaos. The late check can bring trouble to the person. You can try your best to deposit or cash the check-in in the shortest time period. If you delay cashing a check for a longer time, then you may forget about it. There is a chance of a change in the account number. The check (Writer) may forget to pay you the money and may use the money for something else.

According to law and regulations, the time period to cash a treasury check is up to 1 year. The counting of the days starts after the date mentioned in the check. If you miss the date, you are still liable to pay the money to the government. There is another process for paying money if you miss the date. You have to request a new check from the issuer of the check.

Then you can pay it according to the law (rules).

Why Do You Have To Cash A Check For This Long?

The time period is fixed by the laws. The time period is decided to give people some time for their work. Many people face some difficulties in cashing a check, as they may have some troubles. Therefore, you have to make your mind to cash a check in the required time.

If it is about the state government agencies’ check, then the time period will be decided according to the rules and regulations of the state. The state government will fix a specific date before which you have to cash a check. If you receive any checks from the government (agencies), then have a look at the mentioned expiry date.

It’s not mandatory that the check would contain an expiry date. Some checks do mention any dates or information about the expiry of the checks. The expiry of money orders entirely depends on the rules and regulations (laws) of the state. Typically, there is no expiry date for money orders, but it may become very old. After the money orders become very old, they may come under the abandoned property regulations.

Conclusion

You have to look at the period to cash a check properly. There are different types of checks and would have different periods to cash a check. You can reach to the issuer if you failed to cash a check-in time.
So to be on the safe side, try to cash the check at the earliest.

References

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=2Y05Y6CjBYsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA114&dq=cash+a+check&ots=3VdvgPVqUX&sig=E9CmS-iJmuuwQK003FimNfmnpgw
2. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=891791