Arizona
In Arizona, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under A.R.S. §§ 12-543, 12-548.
Rule
A written contract claim in Arizona must be brought within 6 years.
- Written contract
- 6 yr
- Oral contract
- 3 yr
- Open account
- 3 yr
- Promissory note
- 6 yr
What the statute says
An action for debt shall be commenced and prosecuted within six years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, if the indebtedness is evidenced by or founded on either of the following: 1. A contract in writing that is executed in this state. 2. A credit card as defined in section 13-2101, paragraph 3, subdivision (a).
When does the clock start?
Six years after the cause of action accrues; for a card account with an optional acceleration clause, Arizona treats the entire balance as accruing on default rather than installment by installment.
What pauses it?
§ 12-501 excludes the debtor's time out of state; § 12-502 excludes minority (under 18) or unsound mind, with the full period running again after the disability is removed.
In practice
Important limitation: A.R.S. § 12-548(A)(1) applies the six-year period only to "a contract in writing that is executed in this state." A written contract executed outside Arizona is not within that subsection on the face of the statute, and the period that governs it instead has not been resolved here. Confirm where the contract was executed before relying on six years.
Last reviewed 2026-07-26
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.