Canceling a personal check costs somewhere between $0 and $35, and at most large national banks the fee lands around $25 to $30 per request. Wells Fargo charges nothing on consumer and small business accounts, while U.S. Bank sits at the top of the range at up to $35. The exact price depends on your bank, your account tier, and sometimes how you submit the request.
Stop Payment Fees at Major Banks
Here is what several well-known institutions currently charge to stop payment on a personal check:
- Bank of America: $30 per request, waived for Preferred Rewards members.1Bank of America. Bank Account Fees
- Chase: $30 when placed through a banker, $25 when placed online, through the mobile app, or by automated phone. Waived for Chase Sapphire Checking and Chase Private Client accounts.2Chase. Additional Banking Services and Fees for Personal Accounts
- Citibank: $30, waived for Citi Priority account holders.3Citibank. Explore Citi Relationship Tiers
- PNC: $33 per request.4PNC Bank. Consumer Schedule of Service Charges and Fees – Standard Checking
- U.S. Bank: up to $35 per request.5U.S. Bank. How Much Does a Stop Payment on a Paper Check Cost?
- Wells Fargo: no fee for consumer and small business accounts.6Wells Fargo. Consumer and Business Account Fees
- Ally Bank: $15 per request.7Ally Bank. Online Checking Account: For Essential Spending
Credit unions generally sit below the big national banks, with fees ranging from $0 to around $25.
Ways to Pay Less or Nothing
A few things can bring the cost down or take it to zero. Premium account tiers and loyalty programs often waive the fee entirely — Bank of America drops it for Preferred Rewards clients, Chase drops it for Sapphire Checking and Private Client, and Citi drops it for Priority.
Self-service can also be cheaper. Chase charges $25 through its website, mobile app, or automated phone system, versus $30 when a banker handles the request.2Chase. Additional Banking Services and Fees for Personal Accounts Not every bank offers this discount; many charge the same amount regardless of channel. Your account agreement or fee schedule is the place to check.
Cashier’s Checks and Certified Checks Cost More
The fees above apply to personal checks. Canceling a cashier’s check or certified check works differently and costs more. Because the bank has already guaranteed the funds, you cannot simply place a standard stop payment. You typically have to file a claim for a lost, destroyed, or stolen instrument, and the bank may require you to purchase an indemnity bond, a type of insurance policy that protects the bank if the original check surfaces later.8HelpWithMyBank.gov. Why Do I Need an Indemnity Bond to Replace a Lost Cashiers Check? Indemnity bonds generally cost a small percentage of the check’s face value, so the total climbs quickly on high-dollar checks.
Stopping an Automatic Electronic Payment
Recurring automatic payments — gym memberships, subscriptions, loan drafts — follow a different set of rules, but the price is usually similar. Federal law lets you stop any preauthorized electronic transfer by notifying your bank at least three business days before the scheduled payment date.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1693e – Preauthorized Transfers You can give notice by phone or in writing. If you call, the bank may require written confirmation within 14 days, and an oral order that is not confirmed in writing can expire after those 14 days.10eCFR. 12 CFR Part 205 – Electronic Fund Transfers (Regulation E) Banks are allowed to charge for this service, and the fee is often the same as for a paper check.
One thing the fee does not buy you: cancellation of the underlying agreement. Stopping the payment at your bank leaves your contract with the merchant intact, so contact the company separately to avoid future charges.
How Long a Stop Payment Lasts, and What Renewal Costs
The fee buys a limited window of protection. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a written stop payment order stays in effect for six months. An oral order placed by phone without written follow-up expires after 14 calendar days.11Cornell Law School. Uniform Commercial Code 4-403 – Customers Right to Stop Payment; Burden of Proof of Loss Some banks offer longer terms. U.S. Bank keeps a stop payment in effect for 24 months before requiring renewal.5U.S. Bank. How Much Does a Stop Payment on a Paper Check Cost?
When the order expires and the check is still outstanding, renewing means paying the fee again. Each renewal costs the same as the original.
If the Bank Pays the Check Anyway
If your bank honors a check despite a valid stop payment order, you may be entitled to have the money restored. The burden falls on you to prove both that a binding stop payment was in place and the amount you lost as a result.11Cornell Law School. Uniform Commercial Code 4-403 – Customers Right to Stop Payment; Burden of Proof of Loss That loss can include overdraft or bounced-check fees on other transactions dishonored because the bank paid the stopped check first. Whatever you paid for the stop payment protects nothing if you cannot document it, so save the confirmation number the bank issues when you place the order.