The Uniform Commercial Code, which applies in most states, says that a bank is not obligated to cash a check more than six months after it was written. Some banks flag old checks and run it past the issuer before completing the payment.

How long can you have an uncashed check?

Do Checks You Write Expire? When you write a check that goes uncashed, you may wonder what to do. You still owe the money, even if nobody deposits the check. If that’s the case, it’s best to keep the funds available in your account for at least six months.

Can you deposit a 20 year old check?

Checks don’t expire and the funds must be turned over to the state, if they are not claimed. Unclaimed wages, commissions and ordered refunds must be turned over to the state after one year.

Where can I find bank statements from 20 years ago?

Banks were computerised 20 years ago, so there is a possibility that information is stored in a hard drive somewhere. If the account holder had opted for email statements, try getting it from the email service provider.

Can a bank honor a check written six months ago?

Fortunately, banks generally don’t honor checks written more than six months in the past. These two strategies can protect you, just in case: Stop payment: If the amount is large enough to cause problems, or if you’re dubious of the payee, consider asking your bank to stop payment on the old check.

Can a bank issue a new check if the original check has been lost?

It may be necessary to issue a new check without getting the old check back if the original check was lost or destroyed. This presents a thorny situation—two checks might be circulating for a single payment. If the old check is deposited, your bank might honor it, and you could consequently end up paying double.

What to do if a check is still outstanding after six months?

If a check was issued to you and it’s still outstanding after six months, contact the check issuer and request a replacement. You may need to return the original check or sign documents saying that the check is lost or destroyed (and that you won’t try to deposit both checks).