Is there a time limit on a check to clear? I wonder because I received a bank draft from a canadian bank and deposited in a US bank. The us bank is a local only bank.

Forgot to ask, am I liable for the check if I do not get notified within the time limit of the check clearing.

There is no time limit on how long it can take a check to clear. I have seen checks come back to my bank (unpaid) 3 weeks after the deposit, this is not terribly uncommon.

YES, you are responsible. You claimed responsibility for that check the day you deposited it into your account. If it comes back (today, tomorrow, or in a month or year) the amount will be debited from your account.

To gain any kind of assurance that the check has cleared the bank (assuming it is a bank check) your best bet is to call the bank it was drawn off of and find out its status.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but at least now you're aware.

Canadian checks are not bound by US laws and I have seen them take over a month to come back. Please be careful.

Was it a "Canadian Lottery" check?

I hope they sent it for collection

We just had a customer that deposited a large Canadian check, waited 2 weeks, wired 80% of it to the scammer, and then is taking a loss on the returned counterfeit check that came back in 3 weeks. They thought they were protecting themselves because we have convinced our depositors that checks clear quickly.

It is too bad that the US can't make a deal with Canada regarding expeditious returns.

Wow! Lots of replies. Thanks for the help. But, this brings to mind another question.

Is there a time limit of such for a US check deposited in a US bank? I have heard that it is like 10 days. After that, nothing can be done about it.

I ask because of the story at this link.
http://www.goodthink.com/writing/view_stories.cfm?id=11&page_id=2

1) There is no ten day rule, never has been.

2) Thanks for the link. That's the longest rationalization of stealing I've ever read. However, it's important to for everyone to remember that some people can steal and rationalize it. However, only the truly committed can acknowledge that they did it and turn it into a cottage industry.