How do I stop payment on a check?

The process of stopping payment on a check varies between financial institutions. The same is true for how long that the stop payment lasts. Talk to someone at your bank or credit union to learn about their policies.

Most states have laws that say if you make your stop-payment request, in writing, before the check has been completely processed, the check can’t be cashed for six months. In some cases, the stop payment expires after one year.

After your stop payment request expires, the bank or credit union may pay out the check if someone presents it. You can make another stop payment order when the first one expires. To permanently stop the payment from going through, consider closing the account and opening a new one.