Bookkeeping

How to Cash Two-Year-Old Checks


Many banks also provide notifications for check deposits or clearances, helping you stay on top of any potential issues with expired checks. Cashier’s checks can be complicated, and state law affects how long those payments are good for. Banks might not accept a cashier’s check for deposit after 90 days because the issuing bank could return the check unpaid after that time. If you have a cashier’s check that’s more than 90 days old, contact the issuing bank to get a new check. If somebody fails to deposit or cash a check you wrote, they may have difficulty negotiating the check after six months.

Cash Your Check Using an App

Many grocery stores and supermarkets enable you to cash a check, and they are typically less expensive than check-cashing stores. Ask about money services at the customer service desk in the front of the store. You may choose to cash your check or deposit the funds straight into an account. If you choose to deposit the check through an ATM, the process is simple.

Stale dated checks: Cashing Old Checks: How Long Is A Check Good For?

To be extra sure, sign your initials near the written and numerical amounts on the front of the check as well. You can avoid complications like this by telling your guests beforehand who exactly to write the check out to. There are things you need to know and be prepared for before you can cash a check. There are things you’ll need to do, items you’ll need to bring, and information you need to know. “Void” cannot be used in most computer software programs because it has the effect of zeroing the check on the date written which changes all the prior month reports. List the voided check as a negative check on the treasurer report.

Other Check Cashing Places That Don’t Require ID

For example, domestic USPS money orders are good indefinitely, but international money orders can expire. Ultimately, it may depend on the type of check involved, explained in detail below, and what the bank chooses to do. If you find yourself holding an expired check, your first step should be to contact the check’s issuer. This suggestion should always be your option of last resort because of the high fees. You can cash multiple checks up to $5,000 per day and $15,000 per month. Kevin has been writing and creating personal finance and travel content for over six years.

  • A third-party check is when you are cashing a check in someone else’s stead.
  • If you’re a member or have an account with the bank, they might ask for your debit card or bank account information, as well or in place of a photo ID.
  • This can be an effective option if you’ve received a check but don’t have a bank account.

Things to Remember When Cashing a Personal Check

You will pay 2% of the balance when the balance is greater than $250. You can avoid the cashing fees by waiting 10 days to receive the balance for both check types. But, in that case, you can only deposit the balance into one account. You can use Ingo Money to cash most checks, including hand-written personal checks.

  • The issuer also may have given his bank instructions not to cash checks that are over 90 days old.
  • They work similarly to mobile deposits through your bank account; you take a picture of the front and back of your check and submit it.
  • The check balance will be deposited in minutes with the first three options.
  • If you successfully deposit the old check 7 or more months later, their accounts might not be ready for those funds to be taken out.
  • It’s also wise to contact your bank for any state-specific requirements that could affect how checks are processed.

Technology hasn’t quite eliminated the need to cash paper checks. Either way, to cash a business check, you’ll want to go to the bank that holds that business’s bank account. Checks don’t last forever, and their validity usually depends on the check type and the issuer’s guidelines. The expiration date shows you how long a check is good for before banks or other financial institutions can refuse to cash or deposit it. These check-cashing stores are easy to find in your local town. They will cash every type of personal check, including handwritten checks from family and friends.

Cashing a check can be a straightforward process, but it’s essential to understand the rules and regulations surrounding the lifespan of a check. Whether you’re a recipient of a check or the cashing an old check issuer, knowing how long past the date you can cash a check is crucial to avoid any potential issues or penalties. If you go to the bank you normally use, you’ll first have to deposit the check into your account. The funds should be available within a day or two, says the CFPB. Cash-checking stores and other similar establishments charge the highest fees, so it’s better to avoid them.

#2. The Issuing Bank

cashing an old check

The easiest place to cash a check is your own bank, but you can go to the check writer’s bank as well. Beyond banks, you can load prepaid cards, go to major retailers or use a payment service like PayPal or Venmo. The reason banks can be finicky about cashing your check if you don’t have an account with them is to protect themselves from fraud or cashing bad checks.

A travel center accepts personal vehicles and has dedicated refueling lanes for semi-trucks. Use the card as soon as possible to ensure your money doesn’t expire. Until that day arrives, you may still receive checks that need to be cashed. If you’d like to learn more about cashing a check, check out our in-depth interview with Derick Vogel. How long you have to deposit a check can depend on the type of check you want to deposit and where you want to deposit it.