You should destroy old checkbooks by shredding them (cross-cut is best) or cutting them up thoroughly to protect your account/routing numbers from fraud; alternatives include safely burning them or soaking shredded pieces in water to pulp them, with some banks even offering secure shredding events for old checks.
Unused checks can be discarded as soon as you no longer need them. No need to return them to the bank, just tear/shred and dispose of as paper.
Short answer: Generally yes, but do it safely. Old checks contain personally identifiable and financial information that can be misused for identity theft, account takeover, or fraud if recovered by someone malicious. Dispose of them using secure methods and follow retention guidelines before shredding.
Personal, business, and payroll checks are good for 6 months (180 days). Some businesses have “void after 90 days” pre-printed on their checks. Most banks will honor those checks for up to 180 days and the pre-printed language is meant to encourage people to deposit or cash a check sooner than later.
The "$10,000 bank rule" refers to federal laws requiring financial institutions and businesses to report large cash transactions (deposits, withdrawals, payments) of over $10,000 in currency to the government to combat money laundering and financial crimes. Banks file Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) for cash activity over $10,000, while businesses file Form 8300 for similar payments, both sending info to FinCEN and the IRS to track illicit funds.
Checks are typically only valid for six months after being signed. Banks may still accept a stale check, but they are not required to if they have reason to doubt the funds. Different types of checks have different expiration dates. It is important to cash or deposit checks promptly to avoid fees or potential issues.
Call the issuer and request a replacement check. You may need to complete some forms. Ask when you will receive the replacement check, and be on the lookout for it. If the issuer says they cannot re-issue the check because the funds were escheated to the State, check for Unclaimed Funds on the State's website.
Typically, checks do not expire, however, after six months, personal checks are considered stale, making it no longer valid. However, other types of checks may have different rules. Personal checks and checks from businesses are valid for 6 months.
How do you fix a stale-dated check? If you have a stale check (one made out to you over six months ago), one option would be to contact the check's issuer. They may be able to stop payment on the original check and reissue the check.
Shred used checks and bank statements unless you want to keep it as proof of payment for something. For instance, if you had large medical bills that you were able itemize on taxes and paid any of them by check, I would keep those checks and put them with a copy of my tax return in case of audit.
Documents you can toss after one year
Throwing them directly in the trash or recycling isn't a good idea because a checkbook contains a lot of personal and financial information about you that can get misused in the wrong hands, such as your name, address and account numbers.
To get rid of many books, donate them to charities (Goodwill, Salvation Army, local shelters), libraries, schools, nursing homes, or specific programs for soldiers/inmates (Operation Paperback, Prison Book Program). You can also sell them online (Amazon, Better World Books, eBay) or locally (yard sale, used bookstores). For large quantities, consider services that offer free pickup, or use online marketplaces for giveaways.
Paper checks accounted for just 3.8% of consumer transactions in 2022, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. However, there are still some situations when you may want to use paper checks.
There is no hard and fast rule as to when it's safe to throw away financial documents. One thing to remember, though, is that federal tax rules require you to have receipts and other records that support items on your tax return for as long as the IRS can assess you additional tax.
You can usually cash a personal or business check up to six months (180 days) from the date written, but after that, it's considered "stale," and banks aren't obligated to accept it, though some might at their discretion; government checks (like tax refunds) are often good for a year, while some may have shorter limits. For best results, deposit checks as soon as possible, and for expired ones, contact the issuer for a replacement.
In general, employers are required to hand over the amount of an unclaimed paycheck to their state. This process, called "escheatment," requires abandoned or unclaimed personal property to be submitted to the state after a certain period.
If you recently moved or you haven't used your checkbook in some time, you may wonder if your old checks are still usable. The short answer is yes—in most cases, you can keep using checks with an old address.
If you try to cash an expired or stale check, there's a possibility that both your bank and the bank that issued the check may still honor it. However, it's also possible that your bank might reject the check, and you'll have to ask for a replacement.