Can a personal cheque expire or can I deposit it whenever I want to?

A personal cheque is typically valid for six months from the date on the cheque. After six months (stale-dated), Scotiabank may not accept it.

Tip: It’s best to deposit cheques as soon as possible. The deposit will show in the account right away, but the funds may be placed on hold. Hold times vary depending on the type of cheque, so please review Scotiabank’s Cheque Hold Policy.

Last updated March 17, 2026