You can stop payment on a check, but only before the bank cashes it
A stop payment order tells your bank to refuse the check if it shows up for cashing. The bank will not pay it, and the check will bounce. You can issue a stop payment order by phone, in person, or online through your bank's website or app — most banks let you do it immediately, though some require you to follow up in writing within a set number of days.
The catch: once the check has already been cashed or deposited, the stop payment order does nothing. The money is gone from your account. A stop payment order only works on checks that have not yet been presented to the bank.
Stop payment orders cost money. Most banks charge between $25 and $35 per check. Some banks waive the fee for customers with premium accounts or if the check was lost or stolen. Ask your bank what they charge before you issue the order.
Key Takeaways
- A stop payment order must be issued before the check is cashed; once the bank has paid it, the order cannot reverse the transaction.
- You can place a stop payment order by phone, online, or in person, and most banks process it within hours.
- Stop payment orders typically cost $25 to $35 per check, though some banks waive the fee under certain conditions.
- The person who received the check will see it bounce, and you may still owe them the money through other means.
- If you do not know who has the check or when they will cash it, a stop payment order may not be practical because it expires after a set period.
How long a stop payment order lasts
A stop payment order is not permanent. Most banks honor the order for six months from the date you issue it. After six months, the order expires and the bank will cash the check if it shows up. Some banks allow you to renew the order for another six months, usually for an additional fee.
If you do not know when the check will be presented — for example, if you mailed it weeks ago and are not sure whether the recipient has deposited it yet — you may need to renew the order multiple times. This adds up in cost. If the check is more than a year old, most banks will not cash it anyway, because checks are generally considered stale after 180 days, though some banks will still honor older checks if the account holder requests it.
When a stop payment order will not work
If the check has already been cashed or deposited, the stop payment order is too late. The bank has already transferred the money out of your account. Calling your bank after the fact will not reverse a completed transaction.
Checks written to a business or government agency are harder to stop because they may be deposited immediately or processed through automated systems. If you need to stop payment on a check to a utility company, tax agency, or large retailer, call them directly first — they may be able to cancel the payment on their end before they deposit the check.
Certified checks and cashier's checks cannot be stopped. These are checks that the bank has already may provide, so the money is already set aside. If you need to cancel a certified check, you will have to work with the bank and the recipient to arrange a refund, which is not may provide.
Steps to issue a stop payment order
Most banks let you start the process online or by phone within minutes. Log into your bank's website or app, find the stop payment option (usually under account services or transfers), and enter the check number, the amount, and the date you wrote it. The bank will confirm the order immediately.
If you cannot access your account online, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card. Have your account number, the check number, the amount, and the date ready. The bank will process the order over the phone and may ask you to sign a written confirmation within a few days.
Some banks require written confirmation even if you start the order online or by phone. Check your bank's policy. If they ask for written confirmation, send it promptly — the stop payment order may not be fully effective until they receive it.
What happens when a check is stopped
When the recipient tries to cash or deposit the stopped check, the bank will reject it. The check will bounce, and the recipient's bank will return it marked "payment stopped by drawer" or similar language. The recipient will not receive the money.
The recipient may contact you asking why the check bounced. You will need to explain and arrange another form of payment — a new check, a wire transfer, a credit card payment, or cash. If you owe the money and simply stopped payment to avoid paying, the recipient can pursue you for the debt through small claims court or a collection agency.
Stopping payment on a check to avoid a legitimate debt is not a legal way to cancel the obligation. It only delays or complicates payment. Use a stop payment order only when the check was lost, stolen, or issued by mistake.
Alternatives to stopping payment
If you wrote a check by mistake but the recipient has not cashed it yet, contact them directly and ask them to return it or destroy it. This is faster and cheaper than issuing a stop payment order, and it avoids the bounced-check fee on their end.
If the check was lost or stolen and you are worried someone else will cash it, a stop payment order is the right move. But if you simply changed your mind about the payment, talk to the recipient first. Many will accept a cancellation request without requiring you to pay the stop payment fee.
If you need to cancel a recurring payment or a payment you set up through your bank's bill pay system, do not use a stop payment order. Instead, cancel the payment directly through your bank's bill pay service or contact the recipient to cancel the arrangement. This is faster and does not cost extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop payment on a check after it has been cashed?
No. Once the bank has processed and cashed the check, the money has left your account and a stop payment order cannot reverse it. You would need to contact the recipient and ask them to return the money, or pursue a dispute through your bank if the check was fraudulent or unauthorized.
How quickly does a stop payment order take effect?
Most banks process a stop payment order within hours, especially if you issue it online or by phone during business hours. However, if the check has already been submitted to the bank's processing system, it may be too late to stop it. Call your bank immediately if you need to stop a check urgently.
What if I stop payment but the recipient still cashes the check?
If the recipient's bank cashes a check after you issued a stop payment order, contact your bank immediately. The bank may reverse the transaction and refund the money to your account, though this depends on how the error occurred and your bank's policies.
Do I have to pay the stop payment fee?
Most banks charge $25 to $35 per stop payment order. Some banks waive the fee if the check was lost or stolen, or if you have a premium account. Ask your bank about their fee policy and whether any exceptions apply to your situation.
Can I stop payment on a check I wrote months ago?
You can issue a stop payment order, but it will only last six months. If the check has not been cashed within that time, you can renew the order for another six months, usually for an additional fee. After 180 days, most banks will not cash the check anyway, so it may expire on its own.