Stop payment fees range from $25 to $40 at most banks, though some credit unions charge less and a few banks charge more
A stop payment fee is what your bank charges you to cancel a check you've already written. The fee covers the bank's work to search for the check, flag it, and prevent it from clearing. Most banks charge between $25 and $40 per check stopped. Credit unions often charge $15 to $25. A handful of banks charge as much as $50, and some online banks charge nothing at all.
The fee applies whether the check has already cleared or not — you pay it simply to request the stop. If the check already cleared before you asked, the stop payment won't work, but you'll still owe the fee. This is why timing matters: the sooner you call your bank after realizing you need to stop a check, the better your chances of catching it before it posts.
Stop payment fees are not regulated by federal law, so banks set their own rates. You can call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking portal to find the exact fee before you request one. Some banks waive the fee if you're a premium account holder or if the check was fraudulent.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks charge $25 to $40 to stop payment on a check, though credit unions typically charge less and online banks may charge nothing.
- You pay the stop payment fee even if the check has already cleared, because the fee covers the bank's work to search for and flag it.
- The sooner you contact your bank after writing a check you want to cancel, the more likely the stop payment will succeed before the check clears.
- Some banks waive stop payment fees for premium account holders or if the check was issued as a result of fraud.
How long a stop payment lasts
A stop payment order is temporary. Most banks honor a stop payment for six months from the date you request it. After six months, the order expires and the check can clear if it hasn't already. If you need the stop to remain in effect longer, you'll need to renew it — and you'll pay another fee to do so.
In practice, most checks clear or are discarded within a few weeks. If a check hasn't cleared after 30 days, it's unlikely to clear at all — the recipient may have lost it, decided not to deposit it, or the account it was written on may have closed. But the bank won't automatically remove the stop order, so you have to decide whether to renew it or let it expire.
When a stop payment doesn't work
A stop payment can fail for several reasons. If the check has already cleared before you called the bank, the stop payment won't reverse the transaction — the money is already gone. The bank will still charge you the fee because they performed the work to search for it.
If you wrote the check to a business that uses electronic check conversion, the check may have been converted to an ACH debit before you requested the stop. Once it's converted, a stop payment on the original check won't stop the ACH transaction. You'd need to dispute the ACH debit separately with your bank.
If you provide the bank with incorrect information — wrong check number, wrong amount, or wrong payee name — the bank may not find the check and the stop payment will fail. Always double-check the details before you call.
Alternatives to stop payment fees
If the check hasn't cleared yet and you want to avoid the fee, contact the person or business who received the check and ask them not to deposit it. If they agree and return the check to you, you can destroy it and no payment will occur. This costs nothing and is faster than a stop payment.
If you're disputing a check because the recipient charged you fraudulently or without your permission, tell your bank that when you request the stop payment. Some banks waive the fee in fraud cases. You may also be able to dispute the transaction after it clears, which is free, though it takes longer.
For recurring payments you want to cancel, consider switching to a different payment method — ACH transfer, credit card, or debit card — rather than writing checks. These methods are easier to stop or reverse if needed, and you won't face stop payment fees.
Stop payment fees at different bank types
| Bank Type | Typical Stop Payment Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large national banks | $25–$40 | Most charge $30. Premium account holders may get one free per year. |
| Credit unions | $15–$25 | Often lower than banks. Some waive the fee for members in good standing. |
| Online banks | $0–$30 | Many charge nothing. Some charge a flat fee regardless of account type. |
| Regional or community banks | $20–$35 | Varies widely. Call your specific bank to confirm. |
How to request a stop payment
Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or check. Have your account number, the check number, the date you wrote it, the payee name, and the amount ready. The bank will confirm the fee and process the stop payment over the phone. You'll receive a confirmation number — write it down.
Some banks also allow you to request a stop payment through their mobile app or online banking portal. This is faster than calling, but verify that the stop was processed successfully. If the bank's system shows an error, call customer service to confirm it went through.
If you're stopping payment because the check was lost or stolen, ask the bank whether they need a written statement or police report. Some banks require documentation for fraud-related stops, though many will process the stop immediately and ask for documentation later if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my stop payment fee back if the check already cleared?
No. The fee covers the bank's work to search for the check, not the outcome of the search. If the check cleared before your stop request reached the bank, the stop won't reverse the payment, but you still owe the fee. Your only option is to dispute the transaction with the bank if it was fraudulent or unauthorized.
What if I stop payment on a check and the person sues me?
Stopping payment on a check you legitimately owe can expose you to a lawsuit for the amount plus court costs. Stop payment is meant for lost, stolen, or fraudulent checks — not for canceling a debt you've decided not to pay. If you're in a dispute with the payee, contact them first to resolve it before stopping the check.
Do I have to pay the stop payment fee upfront?
Most banks deduct the fee from your account immediately when you request the stop. A few banks bill you separately or add it to your next statement. Ask the bank when you call whether the fee will be deducted right away.
Can I stop payment on a check I wrote months ago?
Yes, as long as the stop payment order is still in effect (usually six months). However, if the check cleared months ago, the stop payment won't reverse it. You'd need to dispute the transaction or contact the payee to request a refund.
What's the difference between stopping a check and disputing it?
A stop payment prevents a check from clearing if caught in time. A dispute happens after the check has already cleared — you tell the bank the transaction was unauthorized or fraudulent and ask them to reverse it. Disputes are free but take longer (usually 10 business days). Stops cost a fee but work faster if the check hasn't cleared yet.