Statute of limitations on debt in Alaska

3 years to sue on a written contract or an open account (AS 09.10.053).

Short answer

Be careful before you pay on an old debt in Alaska: Usually yes. The Alaska Court System says that if you make a payment on an old debt, the 3-year time limit usually starts over from the date of the payment.

Written contracts
3 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
3 years
Can a payment restart the clock?
Yes, it can

Alaska's time limits to sue on a debt

Law
AS 09.10.053
Official text
Read the law

7 of our 48 state guides, Alaska among them, give 3 years on a written contract, shorter than the most common 6 years. It is the shortest limit in our guides (7 states). For comparison, the written-contract limit is 6 years in Washington, 6 years in Oregon, 5 years in Idaho and 6 years in Montana.

Collection suits and your rights in Alaska

  • Collection agencies cannot use letters or forms made to look like court papers. (AS 08.24.320)
  • A collection agency cannot sue in an Alaska court for a client unless it proves it is licensed and bonded. (AS 08.24.300)

If a collector crosses the line: Under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, if you lose money or property because of an unlawful practice, you can sue for three times your actual damages or $500, whichever is greater. You must sue within 2 years after you discover (or should have discovered) the loss.

Does paying restart the time limit in Alaska?

Usually yes. The Alaska Court System says that if you make a payment on an old debt, the 3-year time limit usually starts over from the date of the payment.

Is my debt too old? Check Alaska's time limit

Alaska: 3 years for a written contractEnter the date of your last payment to see when the time limit ends.

If you are sued on an old debt in Alaska

Say in your written answer that the debt is too old. Deadline in Alaska: District or superior court debt case: file an Answer within 20 days after you are served with the Complaint. Count every day. If the last day falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday, it is due the next day the court is open (courts close at noon on Fridays) (Alaska Court System).

If you don't answer in time, the creditor can ask for a default judgment against you.

What to do if you are sued in Alaska

Steps for an old debt in Alaska

  1. Don't pay or sign yet

    In Alaska: Usually yes. The Alaska Court System says that if you make a payment on an old debt, the 3-year time limit usually starts over from the date of the payment.

  2. Ask the collector for proof

    Use a dispute letter within 30 days of the collector's validation notice.

  3. Look the collector up

    A collector in Alaska must hold a license from Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (collection agency and operator licenses under AS 08.24.090); ask for proof of it.

  4. Report a suit on an old debt

    Report it to Alaska Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: 907-269-5200; toll-free outside Anchorage 1-888-576-2529.

Old debts under federal law

A collector may not sue or threaten to sue on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). Most collections must come off a credit report 7 years after a 180-day period that starts when you first fall behind (15 U.S.C. 1681c). More in our guide to time-barred debt.

Where to get free help in Alaska

Questions about old debts in Alaska

When does a debt become too old to sue on in Alaska?

3 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (AS 09.10.053).

If I pay part of an old debt in Alaska, does the time limit start over?

Usually yes. The Alaska Court System says that if you make a payment on an old debt, the 3-year time limit usually starts over from the date of the payment.

More for Alaska

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources