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Statute of Limitations on Debt by State

How long can debt collectors legally sue you? It depends on your state and the type of debt — usually between 3 and 10 years.

⚠️ This guide is for information only and is not legal or financial advice. Laws change, so confirm the current rules for your state with an attorney or your state attorney general.

What is the statute of limitations on debt?

It's a law that limits how long a creditor or collection agency has to file a lawsuit to collect an unpaid debt. Once it expires, you may still owe the debt, but the creditor usually loses the ability to successfully sue you for it.

An expired debt can still appear on your credit report and affect your ability to get approved for credit. Collectors may also still contact you.

Types of debt

Written contracts

Signed agreements with repayment terms, such as personal loans, medical bills and auto loans.

Open-ended accounts

Revolving credit like credit cards and lines of credit.

Promissory notes

A written promise to repay, typically used for mortgages and student loans.

Oral agreements

Verbal agreements with no written proof. Less common, but still recognized in some cases.

Statute of limitations by state

Search your state

State	Written contracts	Credit cards / open accounts	Promissory notes	Oral agreements
Alabama	6 years	3 years	6 years	6 years
Alaska	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years
Arizona	6 years	6 years	6 years	3 years
Arkansas	5 years	5 years	5 years	3 years
California	4 years	4 years	4 years	2 years
Colorado	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Connecticut	6 years	6 years	6 years	3 years
Delaware	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years
Florida	5 years	5 years	5 years	4 years
Georgia	6 years	6 years	6 years	4 years
Hawaii	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Idaho	5 years	4 years	5 years	4 years
Illinois	10 years	5 years	10 years	5 years
Indiana	6 years	6 years	10 years	6 years
Iowa	10 years	5 years	10 years	5 years
Kansas	5 years	5 years	5 years	3 years
Kentucky	10 years	10 years	15 years	5 years
Louisiana	10 years	3 years	10 years	10 years
Maine	6 years	6 years	20 years	6 years
Maryland	3 years	3 years	6 years	3 years
Massachusetts	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Michigan	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Minnesota	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Mississippi	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years
Missouri	10 years	5 years	10 years	5 years
Montana	8 years	5 years	5 years	5 years
Nebraska	5 years	4 years	5 years	4 years
Nevada	6 years	4 years	3 years	4 years
New Hampshire	3 years	3 years	6 years	3 years
New Jersey	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
New Mexico	6 years	4 years	6 years	4 years
New York	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
North Carolina	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years
North Dakota	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Ohio	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Oklahoma	5 years	3 years	6 years	3 years
Oregon	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Pennsylvania	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years
Rhode Island	10 years	10 years	10 years	10 years
South Carolina	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years
South Dakota	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Tennessee	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Texas	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years
Utah	6 years	4 years	6 years	4 years
Vermont	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Virginia	5 years	3 years	6 years	3 years
Washington	6 years	6 years	6 years	3 years
West Virginia	10 years	5 years	6 years	5 years
Wisconsin	6 years	6 years	10 years	6 years
Wyoming	10 years	8 years	10 years	8 years

When does the clock start?

The clock usually starts on the date of your last payment or when you defaulted on the debt.

Be careful: in many states, making a payment or agreeing to repay (even verbally) can restart the clock.

How old debt affects your credit report

The statute of limitations and credit reporting are separate. Most negative items can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years, even after the time to sue has expired. Your options may include paying the debt, negotiating a settlement or waiting for it to fall off your report.

If something on your report is inaccurate or outdated, you have the right to dispute it.

Dispute errors with DisputeBeast Learn more on YouTube