Stop payment orders typically cost between $25 and $35 per check at most banks, though some charge as little as $15 or as much as $50
The fee depends on your bank and the type of account you hold. Some banks charge less for customers with premium accounts or higher balances. A few banks—mostly smaller credit unions—may not charge at all, though this is uncommon. You pay the fee when you request the stop payment, not if it succeeds or fails.
The cost is separate from any other fees your bank might charge if the check clears anyway, which can happen if the stop payment request arrives too late or contains incomplete information. If a check you stopped payment on still gets cashed, your bank may charge an overdraft or returned-item fee on top of the original stop payment fee.
Key Takeaways
- Stop payment fees range from $15 to $50 depending on your bank, with $25 to $35 being most common.
- You must request the stop payment before the check clears, and you need the check number, amount, and payee name to file the request.
- Stop payment orders typically last six months; after that, you must file a new request and pay another fee if the check still has not cleared.
- If the check clears despite your stop payment request, you may owe both the stop payment fee and an overdraft or returned-item fee.
How to request a stop payment and what information you need
Contact your bank by phone, online banking, or in person. You will need the check number, the exact amount written on the check, the date you wrote it, and the name of the person or business you made it out to. Some banks also ask for the routing number of the bank the check was drawn from, though this is less common.
The fastest method is usually your bank's phone line or online banking portal, where the stop payment takes effect immediately in their system. In-person requests at a branch also work but may take longer to process. Email requests are generally slower and create less of a paper trail, so avoid them if you need the stop payment to take effect quickly.
After you file the request, ask your bank for a confirmation number and the exact date the stop payment expires. Most stop payments last six months. If the check has not cleared by then and you still want to block it, you must file a new stop payment request and pay the fee again.
When a stop payment fails and what happens next
A stop payment can fail if the check clears before your request reaches the bank's processing system, if you provide incomplete or incorrect information, or if the check is deposited electronically rather than presented in person. Banks process checks in batches, so there is a window of time between when you write a check and when it actually clears—but that window is shrinking as more checks are processed digitally.
If the check clears despite your stop payment request, you have the right to dispute it with your bank. File a claim within the timeframe your bank allows (usually 30 to 60 days from when you discover the problem). Your bank will investigate and may reverse the transaction, but this is not may provide. You will still owe the stop payment fee you already paid.
If your bank reverses the check, you get that money back. However, you do not get a refund of the stop payment fee itself. If the check cleared and your account went negative as a result, you may also owe an overdraft fee on top of the stop payment fee—so the total cost could be $50 to $85 or more.
Alternatives to stop payment that may cost less
If you have not yet mailed the check, the cheapest option is to destroy it and write a new one. This costs nothing. If the check is already in the mail or has been delivered, stopping payment is often your only option—but consider whether the cost is worth it.
If you wrote a check to a business and want to dispute a charge, contact the business first and ask them to return the check uncashed. Many will do this without requiring a stop payment. If you wrote a check to a person and want to cancel it, call or text them and ask them to return it. This avoids the fee entirely if they agree.
For recurring payments (like rent or a subscription), ask your bank about setting up a standing stop payment or a stop payment block on future checks to the same payee. Some banks offer this at a lower cost than a one-time stop payment, though availability varies.
How stop payment requests work across different banks
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo charge $25 to $35 per stop payment. Regional banks and credit unions often charge $15 to $25. Some online-only banks charge $25 to $30. A few credit unions charge nothing, but these are exceptions.
The fee structure is the same whether you request the stop payment online, by phone, or in person. Some banks offer a small discount if you have a premium account tier or maintain a high balance, but this is not standard. Ask your bank directly about any discounts you may may have access to for.
If you bank at multiple institutions, check each one's stop payment policy before you need it. The cost and process can vary significantly, and knowing this in advance helps you decide which account to draw the check from if you have a choice.
What to do if you need to stop payment but cannot afford the fee
If the check amount is small and the stop payment fee is nearly as much as the check itself, weigh whether stopping it makes sense. For example, if you wrote a $30 check and the stop payment costs $30, you are breaking even at best—and if the check clears anyway, you lose money.
If the check is for a large amount and you absolutely need to stop it, pay the fee. The cost of a stop payment is usually much lower than the cost of letting an unauthorized or mistaken check clear. If you are in financial hardship and cannot afford the fee, call your bank and explain the situation; some banks will waive the fee in cases of fraud or genuine hardship, though this is not may provide.
Another option: if the check was written by mistake or to the wrong person, contact them directly and ask them to return it or not cash it. If they agree, you avoid the fee. This works best if you have a direct relationship with the payee and can reach them quickly.
How long stop payment protection lasts and what happens after
A stop payment order remains active for six months from the date you file it. After six months, the stop payment expires automatically, and the check can clear if it is presented to the bank. If you want to extend the protection, you must file a new stop payment request and pay the fee again.
In practice, most checks clear within days or weeks. If a check has not cleared within six months, it is unlikely to clear at all—but it is technically possible, especially if the check was lost and later found. If you are concerned about a check that is approaching the six-month mark, contact your bank and ask whether you should renew the stop payment or if the check is unlikely to appear.
Once a check clears, a stop payment order no longer matters. The transaction is complete, and the money has left your account. At that point, your only recourse is to dispute the transaction with your bank if you believe it was unauthorized or fraudulent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop payment on a check I already mailed?
Yes, as long as the check has not cleared yet. Contact your bank immediately with the check number, amount, and payee name. The sooner you file the request, the better your chances of stopping it before it clears. If the check is already in the mail, there is still time—most checks take several days to reach the recipient and clear.
What if I do not remember the exact amount on the check?
Call your bank and provide as much information as you have: the check number, approximate amount, payee name, and date written. Your bank may be able to look up the check in their system or ask you to provide the exact amount before processing the stop payment. If you cannot provide the amount, some banks will not process the request.
Do I get my money back if the stop payment works?
Yes, the money stays in your account because the check never clears. However, you do not get a refund of the stop payment fee itself. You paid $25 to $35 to prevent the check from clearing, and that fee is gone regardless of whether the stop payment succeeds.
Can I stop payment on a check written from a joint account?
Yes, either account holder can request a stop payment on a check written from a joint account. You will need the same information: check number, amount, payee, and date. The fee applies to the joint account, and either owner can authorize it.
What if the check was cashed at a store instead of deposited at a bank?
Stop payment still works, but the timing is tighter. Checks cashed at retail locations often clear faster than checks deposited at banks. File your stop payment request as soon as possible. If the check has already been cashed and deposited by the store, it may be too late to stop it.