Statute of limitations on debt by state (2026)
Edited by Moe Ameen · Published
The statute of limitations on debt is how long a creditor or collector has to sue you over it, and each state sets its own. The CFPB says most states set it between three and six years. Across the 50 states and DC, written contracts run from 3 years to 10. The debt doesn't go away when the time runs out, and it isn't the same as how long the debt stays on your credit report.
Key takeaways
- Each state sets its own deadline, from 3 to 10 years depending on the state and the kind of debt.
- In 17 states the credit card figure depends on whether courts treat the card agreement as a written contract.
- A time-barred debt still exists. Collectors can't sue or threaten to sue over it, but in many states they can still ask you to pay.
- In some states a payment or a written promise to pay can restart the clock.
- Negative items generally come off your credit report after seven years, whatever your state's deadline is.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in my state?
It's 3 to 10 years depending on the state and the type of debt. Find your state in the table below; each row links to the statute.
The CFPB says most states fall between three and six years, and the period can depend on the type of debt, the state you live in and the state law named in your credit agreement [1]. Federal student loans have no statute of limitations [1].
Written contracts are 6 years in 24 jurisdictions. They're 3 years in eight, including Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia, and 10 years in eight others, including Illinois, Iowa and Rhode Island.
How long is the statute of limitations on credit card debt?
Usually 3 to 6 years. In 17 states it depends on whether a court treats the card agreement as a written contract, so we show a range.
Most states have no rule written just for credit cards. Card debt falls under the period for open accounts or for written contracts, and courts don't all agree on which. Arizona is an exception: its statute names credit card debt and gives it 6 years. New York's CPLR § 214-i sets 3 years for lawsuits over consumer credit [8].
Eleven jurisdictions use 3 years for open accounts. Rhode Island is the only state with a flat 10.
Is the statute of limitations the same as how long debt stays on my credit report?
No. Credit reporting has its own federal limit. Most negative information can be reported for seven years, whatever your state's deadline to sue.
The CFPB says the credit bureaus can generally report negative information for up to seven years [2]. The Fair Credit Reporting Act starts that seven years 180 days after the account first went delinquent, for accounts sent to collections or charged off [5]. That date is set by the original delinquency [5], so your state's deadline to sue doesn't move it.
Our guide to how long negative items stay has the timeline for each kind of item.
Can a debt collector still contact me about a time-barred debt?
In many states, yes. Collectors can still call or write to ask you to pay, but federal rules stop them from suing or threatening to sue.
A time-barred debt is one where the statute of limitations has run out [4]. The CFPB says that in most states collectors can still try to collect it by letter or phone, as long as they follow the law, but they can't sue you or threaten to [1]. Regulation F says a debt collector "must not bring or threaten to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt" [4].
The FTC adds that some states ban collectors from contacting you about a time-barred debt at all, while others allow it [3].
Can making a payment restart the statute of limitations?
In some states, yes. A partial payment, or admitting in writing that you owe the debt, can restart the clock and make it collectable in court again.
The CFPB warns that a partial payment or acknowledging an old debt, even after the deadline has passed, may restart the period [1]. The FTC says the same: in some states paying any amount, or even promising to pay, "revives" the debt [3].
Not every state works this way. New York's CPLR § 214-i says that once its 3-year period ends, a payment or a written or spoken promise to pay doesn't revive it [8]. If a collector asks for a payment on an old debt, check your state's rule or ask a lawyer first.
What should I do if I'm sued over an old debt?
Respond to the lawsuit and raise the statute of limitations yourself. If you don't show up, the court can still rule against you.
The CFPB says a lawsuit filed after the deadline violates federal law, but a court may still enter a judgment against you if you don't appear and raise the statute of limitations as a defense. It's usually up to the person being sued to point it out [1].
- Ask the collector what its records show for the date of your last payment [3].
- Find your state and debt type in the table below, then read the statute it links to.
- Answer the lawsuit by the court's deadline.
- Talk to a lawyer. If you can't afford one, the Legal Services Corporation lists free legal aid offices by address [6].
Glisten data
Statute of limitations on debt in all 50 states and DC, read from each statute
We read the statute text for every row on October 29, 2026. 37 rows come from the state's own legislature or code site and 13 from FindLaw's copy of the code, because the official site blocked us. Nevada uses both. A range such as 3–5 means the answer depends on how that state's courts read a credit card agreement, and the notes column says why.
| State | Written contracts | Oral contracts | Promissory notes | Open accounts (credit cards) | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | Ala. Code §§ 6-2-34(4), 6-2-34(9), 7-3-118(a), 6-2-37(1) | Contracts under seal: 10 years (§ 6-2-33). The open-account clock runs from the last item on the account. |
| Alaska | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | Alaska Stat. §§ 09.10.053, 45.03.118(a) | Sealed instruments: 10 years (§ 09.10.040). Some published tables show 6 years for written contracts or 3 for notes. |
| Arizona | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | A.R.S. §§ 12-548(A), 12-543, 47-3118(A) | § 12-548(A)(2) names credit card debt (6 years). Other stated or open accounts are 3 years under § 12-543(2). The 6-year written period covers contracts signed in Arizona; a written contract signed in another state gets 4 (§ 12-544(3)). |
| Arkansas | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3–5 | Ark. Code §§ 16-56-111(a), 16-56-105, 4-3-118(a) | No statute names open accounts. Card debt is 5 years if a court treats the agreement as a written contract, 3 if not. Arkansas changed the usual 6-year note period to 5. A part payment or written acknowledgment can restart the 5-year period. |
| California | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 337(a), 337(b), 339(1); Cal. Com. Code § 3118(a) | 6 years is for negotiable notes. A non-negotiable note falls under the 4-year written rule. Some published tables show 4 years for notes. |
| Colorado | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | C.R.S. §§ 13-80-103.5(1)(a), 13-80-101(1)(a), 4-3-118(a) | Colorado splits by kind of claim, not by written or oral. Debts of a fixed or determinable amount get 6 years; most other contract claims get 3. |
| Connecticut | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-576(a), 52-581(a), 42a-3-118(a) | § 52-576 names actions "for an account" at 6 years. Some published tables show 3 years for open accounts. |
| Delaware | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 10 Del. C. §§ 8106(a), 8109; 6 Del. C. § 3-118(a) | Written contracts involving $100,000 or more can set their own period, up to 20 years (§ 8106(c)). Some published tables show 3 years for notes and 4 for open accounts. |
| District of Columbia | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | D.C. Code §§ 12-301(a)(7), 28:3-118(a) | Instruments under seal: 12 years (§ 12-301(a)(6)). |
| Florida | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4–5 | Fla. Stat. §§ 95.11(2)(b), 95.11(3), 673.1181 | Store accounts are 4 years. Card debt sued on as a written agreement is 5. Which applies depends on Florida courts. Florida sends note claims to chapter 95, so notes get the 5-year written period, not the usual 6. |
| Georgia | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4–6 | O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-24, 9-3-25, 11-3-118(a) | Open accounts are 4 years under § 9-3-25. Card debt sued on as a written contract is 6 under § 9-3-24, and some published tables give 6 for credit cards. Instruments under seal: 20 years (§ 9-3-23). |
| Hawaii | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 657-1(1), 490:3-118(a) | — |
| Idaho | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4–5 | Idaho Code §§ 5-216, 5-217, 28-3-118(1) | Card debt is 4 years if treated as an unwritten account (§ 5-217), 5 if the agreement counts as a written contract (§ 5-216). Some published tables show 5 years for notes. |
| Illinois | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5–10 | 735 ILCS 5/13-205, 5/13-206 | Card debt is 5 years if treated as an unwritten account, 10 if the agreement counts as a written contract. Courts have split on it. § 13-206 names promissory notes at 10 years; Illinois left the UCC note period blank. |
| Indiana | 6–10 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Ind. Code §§ 34-11-2-7, 34-11-2-9, 34-11-2-11 | Written contracts for the payment of money signed after August 31, 1982: 6 years (§ 34-11-2-9). Other written contracts: 10 years (§ 34-11-2-11). Some published tables show 10 years for written contracts and notes, or 5 for oral contracts. |
| Iowa | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5–10 | Iowa Code §§ 614.1(4), 614.1(5)(a) | Card debt is 5 years if treated as an unwritten account, 10 if the agreement counts as a written contract. Iowa's UCC section (554.3118) sets when a note claim starts, not how long it lasts, so notes use the 10-year written rule. |
| Kansas | 5 | 3 | 6 | 3–5 | K.S.A. §§ 60-511(1), 60-512(1), 84-3-118(a) | Card debt is 3 years if treated as unwritten, 5 if the agreement counts as a written contract. |
| Kentucky | 10 | 5 | 6 | 5–10 | KRS §§ 413.090(2), 413.160, 413.120(1), 355.3-118(1) | Card debt is 5 years if treated as an unwritten account (§ 413.120), longer if the agreement counts as a written contract. Written contracts signed on or before July 15, 2014: 15 years. After that date: 10. Some published tables show 15 years for notes or 10 for credit cards. |
| Louisiana | 10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | La. Civ. Code arts. 3494, 3498, 3499; La. R.S. 10:3-118(a) | Art. 3494 also gives 3 years for money lent. Whether a credit card counts as an open account is a question for Louisiana courts. Some published tables show 10 years for notes. |
| Maine | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 M.R.S. §§ 751, 752; 11 M.R.S. § 3-1118(1) | Notes signed in front of an attesting witness, and contracts under seal: 20 years (§ 751). |
| Maryland | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 5-101, 5-102; Com. Law § 3-118(a) | Contracts under seal: 12 years (§ 5-102), with exceptions that include hospital consumer debt. |
| Massachusetts | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2; ch. 106, § 3-118(a) | — |
| Michigan | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | MCL §§ 600.5807, 440.3118(1) | — |
| Minnesota | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Minn. Stat. §§ 541.05 subd. 1(1), 336.3-118(a) | — |
| Mississippi | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | Miss. Code §§ 15-1-29, 15-1-49(1), 75-3-118(a) | Some published tables show 3 years for notes. |
| Missouri | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5–10 | RSMo §§ 516.110(1), 516.120(1), 400.3-118(a) | 10 years applies to a writing that promises to pay money; otherwise 5. Card debt depends on how a court reads the agreement. Written contracts other than promises to pay money: 5 years (§ 516.120). Missouri's UCC sets notes at 10 years, not the usual 6. |
| Montana | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5–6 | MCA §§ 27-2-202(1), 27-2-202(2), 30-3-122(1) | Card debt is 5 years as an account not founded on a writing, 6 if the agreement counts as a written instrument. Some published tables, including Credit.com's, show 8 years for written contracts. The current statute says 6. |
| Nebraska | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4–5 | Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-205, 25-206; UCC § 3-118(a) | Card debt is 4 years if treated as unwritten, 5 if the agreement counts as a written contract. Some published tables show 5 years for notes. |
| Nevada | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4–6 | NRS §§ 11.190(1)(b), 11.190(2)(c), 104.3118(1) | The 4-year open-account clause covers goods sold and delivered. Card debt is 6 years if the agreement counts as a written contract, 4 if not. Some published tables show 3 years for notes. |
| New Hampshire | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | RSA 508:4 I; RSA 382-A:3-118(a) | — |
| New Jersey | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | N.J.S.A. §§ 2A:14-1(a), 12A:3-118(a) | — |
| New Mexico | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | NMSA §§ 37-1-3(A), 37-1-4 | § 37-1-3 names promissory notes; § 37-1-4 names accounts and unwritten contracts. |
| New York | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | N.Y. CPLR §§ 213(2), 214-i | CPLR § 214-i gives 3 years for actions on a consumer credit transaction against the borrower, which covers consumer notes too. Once it runs out, a payment or promise to pay does not revive it. Some published tables, including Credit.com's, still show 6 years for open accounts. |
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-52(1), 25-3-118(a) | Some published tables show 5 years for notes. |
| North Dakota | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | N.D.C.C. §§ 28-01-16(1), 41-03-18 | — |
| Ohio | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2305.06, 2305.07, 1303.16(A) | § 2305.07(C) gives 6 years for consumer transactions, written or not, counted from 30 days after the last charge or payment. Ohio has shortened these periods more than once, so older debts may fall under earlier rules. Some published tables, including Credit.com's, show 8 years for written contracts, an older figure. |
| Oklahoma | 5 | 3 | 6 | 3–5 | 12 O.S. § 95(A)(1)–(2); 12A O.S. § 3-118(a) | No statute names open accounts. Card debt is 5 years if treated as a written contract, 3 if not. Some published tables show 5 years for notes. |
| Oregon | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ORS §§ 12.080(1), 12.090, 73.0118(1) | For open accounts the clock runs from the last charge or payment; interest and finance charges don't count (§ 12.090). |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 4 | 4–6 | 4 | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a); 13 Pa.C.S. § 3118(a) | Two statutes cover notes: 4 years under § 5525(a)(7) and 6 under the UCC (§ 3118). Which one applies is for Pennsylvania courts. |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-1-13(a), 6A-3-118(a) | Some published tables show 10 years for notes, or 4 for written contracts. |
| South Carolina | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | S.C. Code §§ 15-3-530(1), 36-3-118(a) | Some published tables show 3 years for notes. |
| South Dakota | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | SDCL §§ 15-2-13(1), 57A-3-118(a) | — |
| Tennessee | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Tenn. Code §§ 28-3-109(a)(3), 47-3-118(a) | — |
| Texas | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 16.004(a)(3), 16.004(c), 16.051; Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 3.118(a) | Some published tables show 4 years for notes. |
| Utah | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4–6 | Utah Code §§ 78B-2-309(1)(b), 78B-2-307, 70A-3-118(1) | The 4-year open store account clause covers goods sold. Card debt is 6 years if the agreement counts as a written contract, 4 if not. |
| Vermont | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 12 V.S.A. § 511; 9A V.S.A. § 3-118(a) | Some published tables show 5 or 14 years for notes, or 3 for open accounts. |
| Virginia | 5 | 3 | 6 | 3–5 | Va. Code §§ 8.01-246(2), 8.01-246(4), 8.3A-118(a) | 5 years needs a written contract signed by the person sued. A written contract they didn't sign, or an unwritten one, gets 3. |
| Washington | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | RCW §§ 4.16.040(1)–(2), 4.16.080(3), 62A.3-118(a) | RCW 4.16.040(2) gives 6 years for an account receivable incurred in the ordinary course of the creditor's business. Some published tables show 3 years for open accounts. |
| West Virginia | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5–10 | W. Va. Code §§ 55-2-6, 46-3-118(a) | Card debt is 5 years if treated as unwritten, 10 if the agreement counts as a signed written contract. Some published tables show 6 years for notes. West Virginia's UCC section says 5. |
| Wisconsin | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Wis. Stat. §§ 893.43(1), 403.118(1) | A demand note with no demand made is barred after 10 years without payment (§ 403.118(2)). Some published tables show 10 years for notes. |
| Wyoming | 10 | 8 | 6 | 8–10 | Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-3-105(a)(i)–(ii), 34.1-3-118(a) | Card debt is 8 years if treated as unwritten, 10 if the agreement counts as a written contract. Some published tables show 10 years for notes. |
We compared every row with Credit.com's state table [7], the only one of the big personal finance sites we checked that still publishes one. It agrees with our figures in 47 states. In the other three we re-read the statute and kept its figure: Montana's written-contract period is 6 years, not 8; Ohio's is 6, not 8; and New York's consumer credit period is 3 years, not 6 [8].
Is this right for you?
Best for
- Anyone trying to work out whether a collector can still take an old debt to court.
- Comparing the deadline to sue with the seven years an item can stay on your credit report.
Not ideal for
- Deciding whether to pay a debt. That depends on your state and your situation, so talk to a lawyer or legal aid office first.
- Federal student loans, which have no statute of limitations [1].
Frequently asked questions
Does a debt go away after the statute of limitations?
No. The CFPB says a debt doesn't generally expire until it's paid. Once the time limit passes, a collector can't use a lawsuit to collect, but in many states it can still ask you to pay [1].
When does the statute of limitations start?
It depends on the state. In some, the clock starts when you miss a required payment; in others, it runs from your most recent payment, even one made during collection [1].
Which state's law applies if I moved?
It can be your current state, the state where you lived, or the state named in your credit agreement. The CFPB says moving to a state with different laws can change the period [1].
Can a collector sue me over a time-barred debt?
No. Regulation F bans debt collectors from suing or threatening to sue over a time-barred debt [4]. If you're sued anyway, you usually have to raise the statute of limitations yourself [1].
How we know this
On October 29, 2026 we read the statute of limitations sections for written contracts, oral contracts, promissory notes and open accounts in all 50 states and DC. Of the 51 rows, 37 were read on the state's own legislature or code site and 13 on FindLaw's copy of the code, because the official site blocked automated reading. One, Nevada, uses both. No figure in the table comes only from a reference site. We then checked each row against Credit.com's state table. NerdWallet, Bankrate, Credit Karma and Investopedia don't publish one. We read the CFPB's and FTC's pages on old debts and credit reports, Regulation F (12 CFR 1006.26) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act through Cornell's Legal Information Institute, because eCFR blocked automated reading. This is general information, not legal advice.
- Can debt collectors collect a debt that's several years old?, CFPB. Checked October 29, 2026.
- How long does information stay on my credit report?, CFPB. Checked October 29, 2026.
- Debt collection FAQs, FTC. Checked October 29, 2026.
- 12 CFR 1006.26: Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F), eCFR. Checked October 29, 2026.
- 15 U.S. Code § 1681c: Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports, Cornell Legal Information Institute. Checked October 29, 2026.
- I need legal help, Legal Services Corporation. Checked October 29, 2026.
- Statute of limitations on debt collection by state, Credit.com. Checked October 29, 2026.
- N.Y. CPLR § 214-i: Actions arising out of consumer credit transactions, New York State Senate. Checked October 29, 2026.