# Statute of limitations on consumer debt, by state

> Limitations periods for consumer debt in all fifty states and DC, with each state's governing statute. A free reference for collections practitioners.

- Source: https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/
- Publisher: Otto — https://ottoforfirms.com
- Updated: 2026-07-26

Limitations periods for consumer debt across all fifty states and the District of Columbia, with the statute for each. Free, no sign-up, and cited to each state's own code rather than to a summary of it.

**Researched from primary sources · not attorney-reviewed.** Every period in this table was read out of the jurisdiction's own code and is cited to the section it came from. None of it has been reviewed by a licensed attorney. The figures are research, published so they can be checked — not settled law. Confirm against the primary source before acting, and read the per-jurisdiction confidence below.

50 of 51 jurisdictions researched · 50 of 51 attorney-reviewed.

Statute of limitations on consumer debt by US jurisdiction, by contract type. Researched from primary sources, not attorney-reviewed. As of 2026-07-26.

| Jurisdiction | Written | Oral | Open account | Note | Statute | Confidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alabama](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/alabama/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | 3 yr | 6 yr | [§§ 6-2-34(4), 6-2-37(1), Ala. Code 1975](https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=6-2-37) — known defect, see the jurisdiction page | high |
| [Alaska](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/alaska/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [AS 09.10.053](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&type=fetch&secStart=09.10.050#09.10.053) — known defect, see the jurisdiction page | medium |
| [Arizona](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/arizona/) | 6 yr | 3 yr | 3 yr | 6 yr | [A.R.S. §§ 12-543, 12-548](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00548.htm) — known defect, see the jurisdiction page | medium |
| [Arkansas](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/arkansas/) | 5 yr | 3 yr | — | — | [Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-56-105, 16-56-111](https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/arcode/) | low |
| [California](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/california/) | 4 yr | 2 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [Code Civ. Proc., §§ 337, 339](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&sectionNum=337) | high |
| [Colorado](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/colorado/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [§§ 13-80-101(1)(a), 13-80-103.5(1)(a), C.R.S.](https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-13.pdf) | medium |
| [Connecticut](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/connecticut/) | 6 yr | 3 yr | 6 yr | 6 yr | [Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-576, 52-581](https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_926.htm) | high |
| [Delaware](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/delaware/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | 3 yr | 6 yr | [10 Del. C. §§ 8106, 8109](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title10/c081/index.html) | high |
| [District of Columbia](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/district-of-columbia/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7)](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/12-301) | high |
| [Florida](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/florida/) | 5 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 5 yr | [Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b)](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html) | high |
| [Georgia](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/georgia/) | 6 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24](https://ga.elaws.us/law/section9-3-24) | low |
| [Hawaii](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/hawaii/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [HRS § 657-1(1)](https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol13_Ch0601-0676/HRS0657/HRS_0657-0001.htm) | high |
| [Idaho](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/idaho/) | 5 yr | 4 yr | — | 6 yr | [Idaho Code § 5-216](https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title5/T5CH2/SECT5-216/) | high |
| [Illinois](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/illinois/) | 10 yr | 5 yr | — | 10 yr | [735 ILCS 5/13-206](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K13-206.htm) | high |
| [Indiana](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/indiana/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | 6 yr | 6 yr | [IC 34-11-2-9](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2025/Title_34.html) | medium |
| [Iowa](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/iowa/) | 10 yr | 5 yr | — | 10 yr | [Iowa Code § 614.1(5)](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/614.pdf) | high |
| [Kansas](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/kansas/) | 5 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [K.S.A. 60-511](https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_005_0011.html) | high |
| [Kentucky](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/kentucky/) | 10 yr | 5 yr | 5 yr | 6 yr | [KRS 413.160](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=43544) | medium |
| [Louisiana](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/louisiana/) | 10 yr | 10 yr | 3 yr | 5 yr | [La. Civ. Code arts. 3494, 3495, 3498, 3499](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=110518) | medium |
| [Maine](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/maine/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | — | [14 M.R.S. § 752](https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14sec752.html) | medium |
| [Maryland](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/maryland/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | — | — | [Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=5-101&enactments=false) | high |
| [Massachusetts](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/massachusetts/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | — | [G.L. c. 260, § 2](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2) | high |
| [Michigan](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/michigan/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | — | [MCL 600.5807(9)](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-5807) | medium |
| [Minnesota](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/minnesota/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | [Minn. Stat. § 541.053](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/541.053) | high |
| [Mississippi](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/mississippi/) | in review | in review | in review | in review | [Miss. Code Ann. §§ 15-1-29, 15-1-31, 15-1-49](https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mscode/) | — |
| [Missouri](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/missouri/) | 10 yr | 5 yr | 5 yr | 10 yr | [§§ 516.110, 516.120, RSMo](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=516.110) | high |
| [Montana](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/montana/) | 6 yr | 5 yr | 5 yr | — | [§ 27-2-202, MCA](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0020/part_0020/section_0020/0270-0020-0020-0020.html) | high |
| [Nebraska](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/nebraska/) | 5 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-205, 25-206](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=25-205) | medium |
| [Nevada](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/nevada/) | 6 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 11.190, 11.200](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-011.html) | high |
| [New Hampshire](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-hampshire/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [RSA 508:4](https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-mrg.htm) | high |
| [New Jersey](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-jersey/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1](https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/303) | high |
| [New Mexico](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-mexico/) | 6 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [NMSA 1978, §§ 37-1-3, 37-1-4](https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4366/index.do) | medium |
| [New York](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-york/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | 3 yr | 6 yr | [N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 213(2), 214-i](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/214-I) | medium |
| [North Carolina](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/north-carolina/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1)](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_1/GS_1-52.html) | high |
| [North Dakota](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/north-dakota/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [N.D.C.C. § 28-01-16(1)](https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t28c01.pdf) | high |
| [Ohio](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/ohio/) | 6 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | 6 yr | [Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.07(C)](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.07) | high |
| [Oklahoma](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/oklahoma/) | 5 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [12 O.S. § 95(A)](https://oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os12.pdf) | high |
| [Oregon](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/oregon/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [ORS 12.080(1)](https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors012.html) | medium |
| [Pennsylvania](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/pennsylvania/) | 4 yr | 4 yr | — | — | [42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)](https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=PDF&ttl=42&div=00.&chpt=55&sctn=25&subsctn=0) | medium |
| [Rhode Island](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/rhode-island/) | 10 yr | 10 yr | — | 6 yr | [R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1/9-1-13.HTM) | medium |
| [South Carolina](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/south-carolina/) | 3 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(1)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t15c003.php) | high |
| [South Dakota](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/south-dakota/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [SDCL 15-2-13(1)](https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-13) | high |
| [Tennessee](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/tennessee/) | 6 yr | — | — | — | [Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3)](https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode/) | low |
| [Texas](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/texas/) | 4 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004(a)(3)](https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.16.htm) | high |
| [Utah](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/utah/) | 6 yr | 4 yr | 4 yr | 6 yr | [Utah Code §§ 78B-2-307, 78B-2-309](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78B/Chapter2/C78B-2-S309_2019051420190514.pdf) | medium |
| [Vermont](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/vermont/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 14 yr | [12 V.S.A. § 511](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/12/023/00511) | medium |
| [Virginia](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/virginia/) | 5 yr | 3 yr | — | 6 yr | [Va. Code § 8.01-246](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-246/) | high |
| [Washington](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/washington/) | 6 yr | 3 yr | 6 yr | 6 yr | [RCW 4.16.040](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.16.040) | high |
| [West Virginia](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/west-virginia/) | 10 yr | 5 yr | 5 yr | 5 yr | [W. Va. Code § 55-2-6](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/55-2-6/) | medium |
| [Wisconsin](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/wisconsin/) | 6 yr | 6 yr | — | 6 yr | [Wis. Stat. § 893.43](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/893/iv/43) | medium |
| [Wyoming](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/wyoming/) | 10 yr | 8 yr | 8 yr | 6 yr | [Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105](https://www.wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title01.pdf) | medium |

- **high** — Every statutory field was re-read at the primary source and confirmed verbatim. 28 of 50.
- **medium** — Confirmed on the substance, with a defect or an unverified supporting claim recorded in the notes. Read them before relying on this record. 19 of 50.
- **low** — Something material is unresolved, contested, or could not be confirmed at the primary source. Treat these figures as a starting point for your own research, not as an answer. 3 of 50.
- **—** A dash means the jurisdiction reports no separate period for that category — often because its code draws no such distinction. The reason is in that jurisdiction's notes. 1 jurisdiction(s) show no periods at all, because no period was resolved from the primary source.

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This is an informational reference, not legal advice, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. Limitations periods turn on facts this page cannot know — which state's law governs, the contract type, when the claim accrued, and whether anything tolled or revived it. Confirm against the primary source and your own counsel before acting.