Which of the following should be checked regarding the date on a cheque?

• A. That the cheque is signed
• B. That the payee name on the cheque is correct
• C. That the amount in words matches the figures
• D. That the cheque is still in date

Answer: (D)

Cheque dates matter because they define how long the bank will honour the instruction to pay. In most jurisdictions, a cheque is valid for about six months from the date written on it. After that period, it’s considered stale, and many banks won’t cash it unless a fresh cheque is issued. So, checking the date ensures the cheque is still in date and likely to be paid. The other checks—whether the cheque is signed, the payee name is correct, or the amount in words matches the figures—are important for authorization and accuracy, but they don’t determine whether the cheque remains payable at present.