How Much Does It Cost To Cancel A Check?

Published on October 7, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

Canceling a paper check is called placing a stop payment, and the price depends on your bank, how you ask for it, and your account tier. The short answer for most customers in the United States is $0 to $35 per check, with premium accounts sometimes waiving the charge and a few online banks listing $0. Act fast. You are racing the clearing process.

Banks charge because a stop payment takes staff time, risk checks, and system work, and because the order usually has to remain in force for months. “How Much Does It Cost To Cancel A Check?” is a money question first, but timing and accuracy drive outcomes, so you will see both price bands and what details to have ready when you call or tap your app. The baseline mechanics live in UCC 4-403.

Article Insights

Typical U.S. stop payments cost $25 to $35, with some online banks at $0 and a few at $15. Examples include the published fee grid from Chase, “$0” on 360 Checking from Capital One 360, and a low published fee from Ally.

Written orders generally last six months under the UCC (renew if needed), and some banks set longer durations such as 24 months (see U.S. Bank’s support note). Online or automated channels are often cheaper than a branch visit, and relationship tiers can waive the fee (as outlined on Citi’s account comparison).

Cashier’s checks cannot be “stopped,” but you can file a declaration of loss (UCC 3-312) that becomes enforceable after 90 days. ACH debits follow Regulation E timing—often at least three business days before the next debit per the FDIC’s Reg E guidance.

How Much Does It Cost To Cancel A Check?

The cost to cancel a check spans between $0 and $35. Across big U.S. banks in 2024–2025, the most common prices fall in the $25 to $35 band for a single item, with a discount for online or automated requests at some banks. Chase lists $25 online or automated and $30 with banker help, and notes the fee is “per item.” Citi posts $30 with relationship waivers for higher tiers. Capital One 360 lists stop payments as Free on its current 360 Checking key terms.

Duration matters too, since the order has to persist while a check could still present. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a written stop order is effective for six months and may be renewed, while an oral order lapses after fourteen days if you do not confirm it in writing within that window. Some banks set longer durations; for example, U.S. Bank says a stop payment remains in effect for 24 months.

The table below shows live examples so you can benchmark your account. Fee and duration policies can vary by account type and state, so always check your bank’s current schedule.

Quick primer (what the major guides say)

In the U.S. in 2025, the cost to cancel a check commonly ranges from $15 to $35 depending on bank and channel. Online requests are usually cheaper than branch or phone, and premium tiers can erase the fee. See the walk-throughs from Investopedia, NerdWallet, and U.S. News for quick comparisons.

Also read our articles on the cost of a cashier’s check, cashing a check at Amscot, or cashing a check at ACE.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Example A, app based: A Chicago renter miswrote a $1,650 rent check and placed a stop in the Chase app the same morning. The bank charged $25 as an online stop. The check never posted, the account stayed positive, and the new check cleared.

Example B, phone request for a range: A contractor in Pittsburgh stopped check numbers 2101 through 2105 after a stolen book of checks. PNC charged $33 for the series stop and flagged ACH debits linked to the same payee. They also turned on alerts at no charge. PNC’s own stop-payment explainer mirrors the steps.

Example C, premium waiver: A Citigold client in Miami asked a banker to stop a single payment for a lost vendor check. The schedule shows a $30 stop payment request fee, but the tier waived it—out-of-pocket was $0.

Example D, Canada: A Toronto customer used TD EasyWeb to stop a check for CAD 12.50 and received coverage for 365 days, helpful if a payee holds or re-presents the item months later.

Cost Breakdown

The base stop-payment charge is the headline price, often $25 to $35 per check (and sometimes $0 on online-first accounts). Channel sometimes changes the rate—self-service is commonly cheaper than banker-assisted—and relationship tiers may waive it. For reference, Navy Federal’s public grid lists a $20 stop-payment fee. Renewals or mailed confirmations can add small extras.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Status and timing. A bank must receive your order in time and in a way that gives it a reasonable chance to act before the item is paid, and an oral order expires after fourteen days unless confirmed in writing—hence, speed and precision matter.

Scope and instrument. A single-check stop targets one number and amount; a range stop covers stolen checkbooks; some banks let you add an ACH stop for converted checks or preauthorized debits. For electronic payments, the CFPB explains how to stop automatic debits. Cashier’s checks and money orders follow different rules.

Alternative Products or Services

If you still hold the paper check, voiding and reissuing costs $0 at most banks. ACH and debit card payments follow Electronic Fund Transfer Act/Reg E timelines (often three business days before the next debit). Cashier’s checks are different: you generally can’t “stop” them, but you can submit a declaration of loss; the claim becomes enforceable on or after day 90.

Ways to Spend Less

Use the discounted channel where your bank offers it (online or automated is often cheaper). Several banks waive the fee entirely at higher relationship tiers, and online-first accounts may post $0. If the stop ties to bank error, fraud, or hardship, ask for a courtesy credit. Price-shopping matters too—some national online accounts publish notably lower stop-payment fees than branch-centric banks.

Expert Insights & Tips

Have the data your bank needs before you call or tap: account number, check number, amount, date, payee, and the reason for the stop. Request a confirmation number or written acknowledgment. The consumer guidance above emphasizes contacting your bank right away and knowing how long your stop lasts. Written beats oral for longevity (six months vs. 14 days). Keep alerts on for the next week to catch any presentment attempts.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Think in totals, not just the fee line. A typical consumer might pay $25 to $35 for the stop, $0 to $5 to order new checks, and $4 to $10 to send a replacement by trackable mail if needed, along with the time spent contacting the payee. Your deposit agreement spells out when fees post (see U.S. Bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for a model layout). Worked example, as of September 2025: A family in Phoenix stops a $1,200 check online ($25), orders a new book later in the year ($0 if covered by their account), and mails the replacement with USPS tracking ($6)—total $31, and no overdraft because the old check never posted.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Renewal can surprise people. If the check hasn’t surfaced by the end of the six-month window in most states, you might need to renew the stop or watch the account again. Also, presentment can happen fast because of Check 21 substitute checks, which shortens your reaction time—don’t rely on mail for urgent stops.

Legal & Regulatory (UCC, Reg E, Check 21)

Three pillars shape how stops work: the UCC’s six-month framework and mechanics, Regulation E for electronic debits and error resolution timelines, and Check 21, which makes substitute checks legal equivalents that move faster through the system. Put simply, the law gives you tools but expects precision—clear written orders, matching check details, and prompt contact with the bank offer the best odds that the stop order will stand and the item won’t be paid.

Financing & Payment Options

Most banks debit the fee from the same account when the stop is placed, which can matter if your balance is thin that day. If the check is already processing or paid, some banks won’t complete the stop or charge the fee. For granular policy examples, U.S. Bank’s knowledge base includes articles on timing and exceptions (e.g., processing status), and many banks publish pricing brochures with any relationship waivers (see U.S. Bank’s consumer pricing information).

Opportunity Cost & ROI of Stopping a Check

A simple decision frame works: if the amount at risk is larger than the fee by a meaningful margin, stopping often makes sense—especially if the check is lost or stolen and could be cashed by someone else. If you still hold the check, void and reissue instead. The CFPB covers the “merchant lost my check” scenario in this practical consumer answer. For a $40 birthday check, a $30 stop is rarely worth it; for a $1,500 rent check sent to the wrong address, a $0 to $35 fee is cheap insurance—and same-day action is key.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does a typical stop payment cost in the U.S.?

Most banks charge $25 to $35 per check, though some accounts waive the fee and a few online-first banks list $0.

Does online cost less than phone or branch?

Often yes—self-service is commonly a few dollars cheaper than banker-assisted.

How long does a stop payment last?

Six months for a written order (renewable). Oral orders lapse after 14 days unless confirmed. A few banks keep stops longer (e.g., 24 months).

Can I stop a cashier’s or money order?

You generally can’t “stop” a cashier’s check, but you can file a declaration of loss; the claim becomes enforceable after 90 days.

Will my bank refund the stop payment fee if the check never presents?

Sometimes—courtesy credits and tier waivers exist. It never hurts to ask, especially with good documentation.