It is a common scenario: you are clearing out paperwork and find a dividend cheque for £50, £100, or even more. The problem? The date on it is from 2019.
Most banking cheques expire after 6 months. If you try to pay an old dividend cheque into your bank account today, it will almost certainly bounce.
Is the Money Gone? No. The cheque is just a “promise to pay.” The underlying cash belongs to you and is sitting in the Registrar’s bank account. You just need to ask for a new one.
The “Admin Fee” Warning Registrars (Equiniti, Link, Computershare) often charge an administration fee to reissue a cheque.
- Small Amounts: If the fee is £15 and the cheque is for £10, it might not be worth claiming.
- The Trick: Instead of asking for a cheque reissue (which costs money), ask to have the back-dated amount paid directly into your bank account (BACS). This is sometimes free or cheaper because it reduces their admin.
How to Request a Reissue
- Do NOT destroy the old cheque: Keep it. The “Cheque Number” and “Payment Reference” on it are vital clues.
- Write to the Registrar: You must send a signed instruction.
- Include Bank Details: To avoid future expired cheques, include a “Dividend Mandate Form” instructing them to pay future dividends straight to your bank.
Automate the Letter Writing a formal request with all the correct reference numbers can be tedious. Divica Pro includes a “Dividend Reissue Request” template. You simply input the details from your old cheque, and we generate the letter for you to print and sign.