If you’re wondering “How long is a cheque valid for in the UK?” you’re in the right place.
Technically speaking, UK laws do not force an expiry on cheques. That said, most banks will not cash a cheque that is older than six months.
In this article, we’ll share the specific nuances that you should be aware of whether you are cashing or issuing a cheque.
Also, if you’re interested in opening bank accounts, you can access our free account opening resources. These range from international banking topics to specific topics like opening a non-resident bank account in Portugal.
Feel free to jump ahead to the areas most relevant to you by using the table of contents below.
Table of Contents
- How Long Is a Cheque Valid For in the UK?
- Opening Bank Accounts in the United Kingdom
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
How Long Is a Cheque Valid For in the UK?
There is no specific time that a cheque is valid for in the UK according to UK law. However, most banks clearly state that they can refuse cheques that are more than 6 months past their issue date. That said, in certain circumstances, cheques older than 6 months will be cashed.
Albeit differently, both the recipient of a cheque and the issuer of a cheque are impacted by the unclear validity of cheques in the UK. Let’s take a look at how they are impacted and what they should do if they are in possession of (or issued) a cheque that is 6 months or older.
But first, if you’re looking for foreign currency in the UK and are wondering why you can’t buy Egyptian pounds in the UK, this is because this is far from the truth. Egyptian pounds and many other foreign currencies are available at most foreign exchange locations.
Recipient of a Cheque in the UK
If you have not cashed a cheque in the UK before 6 months, it may be worth contacting the issuing party and asking them to issue a new check. This step can resolve many of the issues that you will face when trying to cash the check at the bank and can result in a more streamlined process to receive your funds.
Issuer of a Cheque in the UK
If you have issued a cheque that has not been cashed in the first 6 months, you may want to contact your bank and ask that the cheque be canceled. Depending on the circumstances, you may want to also contact the recipient of the cheque and inform them of this and provide them with a new cheque for the related payment.
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Opening Bank Accounts in the United Kingdom
Opening bank accounts in the United Kingdom is possible for both resident and non-resident individuals. That said, there are several challenges to opening UK bank accounts, especially for non-residents. This includes navigating the specific account opening requirements related to proof of address, ties to the UK, and income verification.
If you want to open a UK bank account and are looking for a bank that will protect account holders through direct debit indemnity claims, you can click this link now for more information.
Alternatively, we have a wide range of UK bank account opening resources available on our website, which you can access by selecting Banking in Europe from the home page.
Depositing a Cheque in the United Kingdom
If you have a bank account in the United Kingdom and you would like to deposit a cheque, you can either visit a branch or use your online banking platform and follow the instructions for electronic deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are two of the most common questions that we receive from people wanting to know how long is a cheque valid for in UK. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Do Cheques Have an Expiry Date UK?
UK law does not impose an expiry date on cheques. That said, UK banks do clearly state that they can refuse cheques that are more than 6 months old. However, in certain circumstances, they will cash older cheques, though it depends on the bank and the individual banker that you are dealing with.
How Long Does a Cheque Last Before It Expires UK?
Cheques do not expire in the UK. UK law does not impose any expiration date. That said, specific banks reserve the right to deny a cheque if it is more than six months old. However, banks may also refuse to cash a cheque for a range of other reasons.
Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
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