Statute of limitations on debt in Arizona

6 years to sue on a written contract and 3 years on an open account.

Short answer

In Arizona, a creditor or debt collector has 6 years to sue on a written contract and 3 years to sue on an open account or unwritten agreement. Once the deadline has passed, an acknowledgment of the debt only counts if it is in writing and signed by you (A.R.S. § 12-508).

Written contracts
6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
3 years

Time limits to sue in Arizona

Law
A.R.S. § 12-548(A) (6 years: debt based on a written contract made in Arizona, or on a credit card; shown as the written-contract limit); § 12-543 (3 years: debt not based on a written contract, and stated or open accounts; shown as the open-account limit); § 12-508
Official text
Read the law

With 6 years, Arizona shares the most common limit in our 48 state guides (22 states). Nearby, the written-contract limit is 4 years in California, 6 years in Nevada, 6 years in Utah and 6 years in New Mexico.

Arizona rules when a collector sues, and your rights

  • A collection agency's letters may not look like court papers, misstate what you owe, threaten to sell your debt, or use a lawyer's name when no lawyer is involved (A.R.S. § 32-1051(4)).
  • Interest on medical debt, including medical debt judgments, is capped at 3% a year or the 1-year Treasury rate, whichever is lower (A.R.S. § 44-1201(A)(1)).

If a collector breaks the rules: The licensing law does not spell out a right for you to sue. You can sue under the federal FDCPA. The Arizona Attorney General says a private person may also sue under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act (A.R.S. § 44-1521 et seq.) within one year.

Does paying restart the time limit in Arizona?

Once the deadline has passed, an acknowledgment of the debt only counts if it is in writing and signed by you (A.R.S. § 12-508).

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

Arizona: 6 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 Arizona

Say in your written answer that the debt is too old. Deadline in Arizona: 20 days after you are served (30 days if you were served outside Arizona), in justice court and superior court (Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, per Pima County Justice Courts).

If you do not file a written answer in time, the collector can ask the court for a default judgment. That judgment can then be used to garnish your wages or bank account.

What to do if you are sued in Arizona

What to do about an old debt in Arizona

  1. Match the debt to the right limit

    Arizona gives 6 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts. Not sure which a credit card is? Try both in the checker.

  2. Check before you pay anything

    In Arizona: Once the deadline has passed, an acknowledgment of the debt only counts if it is in writing and signed by you (A.R.S. § 12-508).

  3. Dispute the debt in writing

    Send a dispute letter within 30 days of the validation notice.

  4. Look the collector up

    Collectors need a Arizona license; check one here: Official license lookup.

  5. Report a suit on an old debt

    Complain to Arizona Attorney General, Consumer Information and Complaints Unit (DIFI also oversees licensed collection agencies) and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: (602) 542-5763.

Federal rules on old debts

Federal rules bar a collector from suing, or threatening to sue, on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). A collection can stay on your credit report up to 7 years, counted from 180 days after the first missed payment (15 U.S.C. 1681c). More in our guide to time-barred debt.

Free legal and consumer help in Arizona

Questions about old debts in Arizona

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Arizona?

6 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (A.R.S. § 12-548(A) (6 years: debt based on a written contract made in Arizona, or on a credit card; shown as the written-contract limit); § 12-543 (3 years: debt not based on a written contract, and stated or open accounts; shown as the open-account limit); § 12-508).

Does paying on an old debt restart the clock in Arizona?

Once the deadline has passed, an acknowledgment of the debt only counts if it is in writing and signed by you (A.R.S. § 12-508).

What is the time limit for credit card and open-account debt in Arizona?

For open accounts and unwritten agreements, Arizona's limit is 3 years (A.R.S. § 12-548(A) (6 years: debt based on a written contract made in Arizona, or on a credit card; shown as the written-contract limit); § 12-543 (3 years: debt not based on a written contract, and stated or open accounts; shown as the open-account limit); § 12-508).

Related Arizona pages

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources