Disclaimer: This is general information about statutes of limitations, not legal advice. Laws change frequently and tolling rules vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice about your specific situation.

Statute of Limitations by State

Every state sets its own time limits for filing civil lawsuits and criminal charges. These "statutes of limitations" vary dramatically -- from 1 year for personal injury in Kentucky and Tennessee to 15 years for written contracts in Kentucky. Select your state and claim type below to see the exact deadline, discovery rule, tolling provisions, and how your state compares to the national average.

Look Up Your Statute of Limitations

All 50 States + DC: Written Contract Statute of Limitations

The grid below shows the statute of limitations for written contracts across all US states. Longer periods give plaintiffs more time to file suit. Click any state to see the full breakdown of all claim types, discovery rules, and tolling provisions.

AL 6 years AK 3 years AZ 6 years AR 5 years CA 4 years CO 6 years CT 6 years DE 3 years DC 3 years FL 5 years GA 6 years HI 6 years ID 5 years IL 10 years IN 10 years IA 10 years KS 5 years KY 15 years LA 10 years ME 6 years MD 3 years MA 6 years MI 6 years MN 6 years MS 3 years MO 10 years MT 8 years NE 5 years NV 6 years NH 3 years NJ 6 years NM 6 years NY 6 years NC 3 years ND 6 years OH 8 years OK 5 years OR 6 years PA 4 years RI 10 years SC 3 years SD 6 years TN 6 years TX 4 years UT 6 years VT 6 years VA 5 years WA 6 years WV 10 years WI 6 years WY 10 years

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum amount of time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once the statutory period expires, the claim is "time-barred" and courts will generally dismiss it regardless of its merits. These time limits exist to encourage prompt resolution of disputes, ensure evidence remains reliable, and protect defendants from the threat of indefinite liability.

Statutes of limitations apply to both civil claims (like breach of contract, personal injury, and fraud) and criminal offenses (like misdemeanors and most felonies). The length of the limitation period depends on the type of claim and the state where the claim arose. In the United States, each state sets its own limitation periods through its legislature, which is why the time limits vary so dramatically from state to state.

How Do Statutes of Limitations Work?

The "clock" on a statute of limitations generally starts running when the cause of action "accrues" -- that is, when the event giving rise to the claim occurs. For a breach of contract, this is typically the date the contract was breached. For a personal injury, it is the date the injury occurred. However, many states apply a "discovery rule" that delays the start of the clock until the plaintiff knew or should have known about the injury or breach, which is particularly important for fraud and medical malpractice claims where the harm may not be immediately apparent.

In addition, every state has "tolling" provisions that pause or extend the limitation period under certain circumstances. Common tolling situations include the defendant leaving the state, the plaintiff being a minor or mentally incapacitated, and the defendant actively concealing the wrongdoing. Understanding these tolling rules is critical because they can significantly extend the filing deadline beyond the basic statutory period.

Civil vs. Criminal Statutes of Limitations

Civil statutes of limitations govern lawsuits between private parties (or between a private party and a government entity). These include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property damage, fraud, and medical malpractice. Criminal statutes of limitations govern how long prosecutors have to file criminal charges. In every state, murder has no statute of limitations -- it can be prosecuted at any time. Most other felonies have limitation periods ranging from 3 to 10 years, while misdemeanors typically have periods of 1 to 5 years.

Key Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the statute of limitations deadline?

If you attempt to file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, the defendant can raise the expired statute as an "affirmative defense." In almost all cases, the court will dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning you cannot refile it. This applies regardless of how strong your underlying claim may be. The only exceptions are if a tolling provision applied to pause the clock (such as the defendant being out of state, or the plaintiff being a minor) or if the discovery rule delayed the start of the limitation period.

What is the discovery rule?

The discovery rule is a legal doctrine that delays the start of the statute of limitations until the plaintiff discovered or should have discovered the injury, breach, or wrongdoing. This is particularly important for claims involving fraud (where the wrongdoing is concealed), medical malpractice (where the injury may not be apparent for years), and toxic exposure cases. Most states (50 of 51 jurisdictions) apply the discovery rule in some form, though the specific application varies by claim type and jurisdiction.

Does the statute of limitations differ for written vs. oral contracts?

Yes, in most states. Written contracts generally have a longer statute of limitations than oral contracts because they provide clearer evidence of the agreement's terms. For example, California allows 4 years for written contracts but only 2 years for oral contracts. However, some states treat them equally -- New York gives 6 years for both, and Louisiana gives 10 years for both (as prescriptive periods under its civil law system).

Is there a statute of limitations for murder?

No. In every US state and under federal law, murder has no statute of limitations. The rationale is that murder is the most serious crime, and society's interest in prosecuting murderers outweighs any concerns about stale evidence or the defendant's interest in repose. Many states also have no statute of limitations for other serious crimes like kidnapping, arson, and certain sexual offenses, though the specific crimes exempted from limitation periods vary by state.

Can the statute of limitations be extended or "tolled"?

Yes. Every state has tolling provisions that can pause or extend the limitation period. The most common tolling situations are: (1) the plaintiff is a minor at the time the claim accrues (the clock typically does not start until they reach the age of majority), (2) the plaintiff is mentally incapacitated, (3) the defendant leaves the state (the clock pauses during their absence), and (4) the defendant actively conceals the wrongdoing. Some states also toll the statute during bankruptcy proceedings or when a class action is pending. Tolling can significantly extend the actual filing deadline beyond the basic statutory period.