What is a stale dated check?

A stale dated check is a check that has not been cashed or deposited within a certain time period, usually six months to a year after the date it was issued. Stale dated checks can no longer be cashed or deposited by the recipient and may require a new check to be issued by the issuer. In some cases, the issuer may also be required to cancel the stale check to prevent fraud or unauthorized use. Stale dated checks are often issued by mistake or forgotten about and can result in lost funds or delayed payments. Therefore, it is always important to cash or deposit a check promptly and keep track of expiration dates.