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Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State

1 person contributes to this content
Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®
  1. Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®

    Expertise: Student loans, personal loans, home loans, investing

    Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®, is the director of growth at LendEDU. He graduated from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware.

    Learn more about Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®

If you’re getting calls from debt collectors about old debt, by law, you might not need to pay if the debt is too old. The statute of limitations on debt collection varies by state and type of debt, determining how long creditors have to sue you for unpaid debts.

Table of Contents

Do debt collectors have a time limit?

The statute of limitations for debt collection varies by state and type of debt. Typically, state law determines the statute of limitations for your debts, regardless of where you incurred the debt. Some lenders may add clauses to extend your debt obligations. The clock starts with your last activity on the account, not when you take out the loan.

Note that debt collectors can still contact you about a time-barred debt unless you ask them to stop. You can send a certified letter requesting no further contact. If they persist, you can contact a lawyer or the local attorney general’s office.

Types of debt

The main types of debt are:

  • Oral agreements: Verbal, nonwritten contracts to repay money.
  • Written contracts: Debts backed by a signed written contract.
  • Promissory notes: Written agreements to repay a debt with specific payments, such as mortgages.
  • Open-ended debt: Credit types with revolving balances, such as credit cards and lines of credit.

Statute of limitations on debt collection by state

You can choose your state from the list below to jump to our discussion of its statute of limitations:

Alabama

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Alaska

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Arizona

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Arkansas

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

California

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 2 years
  • Written contracts: 4 years
  • Promissory notes: 4 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

Colorado

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Connecticut

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Delaware

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Florida

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

Georgia

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years, but 6 years for credit cards

Hawaii

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Idaho

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Illinois

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 5 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 10 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Indiana

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Iowa

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 5 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Kansas

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Kentucky

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 5 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 15 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Louisiana

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 10 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 10 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Maine

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Maryland

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 12 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Massachusetts

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Michigan

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Minnesota

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Mississippi

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Missouri

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Montana

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 5 years
  • Written contracts: 8 years
  • Promissory notes: 8 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Nebraska

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

Nevada

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

New Hampshire

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

New Jersey

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

New Mexico

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

New York

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

North Carolina

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

North Dakota

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Ohio

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years if debt was after 2012; if before, it’s 15 years
  • Written contracts: 8 years if debt was after 2012; if before, it’s 15 years
  • Promissory notes: 8 years if debt was after 2012; if before, it’s 15 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 8 years if debt was after 2012; if before, it’s 15 years

Oklahoma

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Oregon

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Pennsylvania

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 4 years
  • Promissory notes: 4 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

Rhode Island

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 10 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 10 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 10 years

South Carolina

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 3 years
  • Promissory notes: 3 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

South Dakota

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Tennessee

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Texas

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 4 years
  • Promissory notes: 4 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

Utah

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 4 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 4 years

Vermont

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 5 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Virginia

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 5 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

Washington

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 3 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 3 years

West Virginia

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 5 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 6 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 5 years

Wisconsin

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 6 years
  • Written contracts: 6 years
  • Promissory notes: 10 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Wyoming

Statute of limitations
  • Oral agreements: 8 years
  • Written contracts: 10 years
  • Promissory notes: 10 years
  • Open-ended accounts: 6 years

Protect yourself from debt collectors

The following are smart actions to take if you’re concerned about debt collectors.

  1. Know your rights: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers from abusive practices.
  2. Document interactions: Keep records of all communications with debt collectors.
  3. Seek legal advice: Consult a lawyer if debt collectors violate your rights.

FAQ

Can a debt collector still contact me after the statute of limitations expires?

Yes, but you can request they stop. Send a certified letter to the debt collector and keep a copy for your records.

What happens if I make a payment on a time-barred debt?

Making a payment can reset the statute of limitations, allowing debt collectors to sue you for the debt. Avoid making payments or acknowledging the debt without consulting a lawyer.

How do I know if my debt is time-barred?

Check the date of your last payment or activity on the account. Compare it with your state’s statute of limitations for that type of debt.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me for a time-barred debt?

Consult a lawyer immediately. You can use the expired statute of limitations as a defense in court.

About our contributors

  • Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®
    Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®

    Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®, is the director of growth at LendEDU. He graduated from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware.