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New Jersey

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1.

Written contract

6 yr

Oral contract

6 yr

Open account

—

Promissory note

6 yr

When does the clock start?

Six years "next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued" — on breach/default. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-24 a signed written acknowledgment or promise, or a payment of principal or interest, starts the period afresh.

What pauses it?

N.J.S.A. 2A:14-21 (plaintiff under 18 or with a mental disability preventing understanding of legal rights or commencing an action — may sue within the limited time after reaching majority or regaining capacity); N.J.S.A. 2A:14-22 ("Tolling of statute of limitations" — time during which a defendant subject to a cause under 2A:14-1 to 2A:14-5 or 2A:14-8 is not residing in New Jersey is not computed). NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED — I did not fetch 2A:14-21 or 2A:14-22.

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.