In this article, we’re answering “A cheque is valid for how long?” The short answer to this question is “It depends.”
But, we can give you specific guidelines and best practices to follow, which we’ve outlined below. We will also be answering a number of questions that we receive on the topic.
This article is part of our free series on how to send and receive money, including bank checks, bank transfers, and more, which you can access by clicking here right now.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- A Cheque Is Valid for How Long?
- How Do I Know When Bank Cheques Are Valid?
- How to Deposit Personal Cheques
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
A Cheque Is Valid for How Long?
How long a cheque is valid for will depend on your bank or building society. This is because cheques do not technically expire. Instead, it is up to the financial institution to determine whether they will accept the cheque or not. That said, most banks and building societies will not accept cheques that are more than six months old.
How Do I Know When Bank Cheques Are Valid?
To know when bank cheques are valid you will first need to review the information on the cheque to confirm that it is accurate. If the information on the cheque is accurate, you then need to make sure that the cheque is not too old to be deposited or cashed. In most cases, banks will only accept cheques if they are less than six months old. In other words, cheques deposited or cashed after six months may be rejected.
How to Deposit Personal Cheques
To deposit personal cheques, there are several options available to you. These options include visiting a branch of your bank in person, using the bank’s mobile app to digitally deposit, using a third-party application that accepts cheques, or cashing the cheque at the issuing bank and then depositing the money with your bank after.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are two of the most common questions we receive from people asking how long a cheque is valid for. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How Long Is a Cheque Valid for in the UK?
How long a cheque is valid for in the UK will depend on the bank where you want to cash or deposit the cheque. The reason for this is that cheques do not technically expire. However, banks do reserve the right to refuse cashing cheques that they consider too old. In practice, this typically means that cheques older than six months will not be accepted.
Does the Date on a Cheque Matter?
Yes, the date on a cheque does matter. In fact, many banks will reject a check if you try to cash it after a certain period of time. For most banks, this period of time is six months. However, it’s important to note that cheques do not technically have an expiry date. So, it may still be possible to cash a cheque that is over six months old, if the bank is willing to do so.
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