How long are cheques valid for?

pete555555

I've just found some cheques that I forgot to pay in the oldest is dated 6th May 2005. They are all business cheques. Is it too late to pay these in? How long are cheques valid for?

carly

I'm not sure there is a definitive answer on this. Most financial institutions seem to have their own rules. All I can say is that I recently paid in a cheque that was 8 months old and it went through without any remark being passed.

hope this helps.

newfoundglory

pete555555 wrote:

I've just found some cheques that I forgot to pay in the oldest is dated 6th May 2005. They are all business cheques. Is it too late to pay these in? How long are cheques valid for?

I think its 6 months, unless otherwise stated. For example, a lot of dividend cheques state 1 year (and then they have to be returned to the registrar for replacement.

I think cashiers are meant to look out for dates on cheques, and not accept if they are older than 6 months... but you could always use an ATM for example. The problem is, I think the paying bank can refuse to pay the cheque if its out of date... so you might have to get some replacements.

pete555555

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll have a go at paying them in and see what happens. Cheers

newmum1

I thought that most cheques had to presented within 12 months unless otherwise stated just pay them in and see what happens.

Bossyboots

No, it is six months. 12 months is the exception rather than the rule and the cashier at the bank should refuse to take them. They are also likely to be returned by the bank if placed in an ATM. If they survive all that, as has been said, the paying bank may refuse them at that stage.

virgin_moneysaver

newfoundglory wrote:

I think its 6 months, unless otherwise stated. For example, a lot of dividend cheques state 1 year (and then they have to be returned to the registrar for replacement.

I think cashiers are meant to look out for dates on cheques, and not accept if they are older than 6 months... but you could always use an ATM for example. The problem is, I think the paying bank can refuse to pay the cheque if its out of date... so you might have to get some replacements.

the deposits envelopes from an ATM are opened by the cashiers at the branch so you are still relying on whether the cashier spots them or not

virgin_moneysaver

standard chqs are 6 months, divs 12 mths & most warrants are 3 mths - if the cashier doesn't spot it then the only way they'll be returned is if there has been a 'stop' placed on the chq or if it causes the account to go o/d & the paying bank has reason to physically examine the cq - try to bank it & if it does come back just ask for a replacement from the originator - good luck

isasmurf

Cheques are a valid legal document for 6 years.

ManAtHome

Generally correct about the 6 months, but I paid one in a couple of months back which was around 8 months old. I told the cashier about the date and he said they'd put it through but it could be debited later (it wasn't). This was only for a few quid, may be different for larger amounts.

virgin_moneysaver

ManAtHome wrote:

Generally correct about the 6 months, but I paid one in a couple of months back which was around 8 months old. I told the cashier about the date and he said they'd put it through but it could be debited later (it wasn't). This was only for a few quid, may be different for larger amounts.

exactly - the cashiers are not obliged to accept them but if they do its just if the paying bank has reason to examine the cq for any reason that it may come to light & be returned - you were ok as no stop had been placed on the cq & there were enough funds in the account to pay it