District of Columbia Debt Collection Laws

Your federal rights

These federal rules apply in District of Columbia and every other state. District of Columbia's own law, below, can add more.

Who the federal law covers. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) covers debt collectors who collect for someone else and companies that buy debts, not usually the original creditor collecting its own debt (15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)). Some state laws also cover original creditors.
A validation notice. A collector must give you a validation notice, in its first message or within 5 days after it, with the amount, the creditor and how to dispute (15 U.S.C. 1692g(a); 12 CFR 1006.34).
Your right to dispute. If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period (30 days after you get the notice), the collector must stop collecting until it mails you verification (15 U.S.C. 1692g(b); 12 CFR 1006.38).
When collectors can contact you. No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time, or at work if your employer doesn't allow it (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)). More than 7 calls in 7 days about one debt is presumed to break the law (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)).
Telling a collector to stop. If you tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you, it must stop, except to tell you it is ending collection or will take a specific step such as a lawsuit (15 U.S.C. 1692c(c)).
What collectors can't do. No threats, obscene language, false statements (for example pretending to be a lawyer or the government, or threatening arrest) and no unfair practices such as collecting fees your contract doesn't allow (15 U.S.C. 1692d, 1692e, 1692f). A collector generally can't discuss your debt with your family, neighbors or employer (15 U.S.C. 1692c(b)).

Read how to dispute a debt or stop collector calls.

District of Columbia law and extra protections

State law: D.C. debt collection law (D.C. Code § 28-3814), expanded by the Protecting Consumers from Unjust Debt Collection Practices Amendment Act of 2022
Law: D.C. Code § 28-3814
Covers original creditors: Yes
Extra protections: Collectors may not call or text you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Eastern time (§ 28-3814(k)).
For charged-off debt, the first letter must tell you that you can ask for proof: original creditor, current owner, last account number and an itemized balance. Debt buyers and third-party collectors must have these documents before collecting (§ 28-3814(m)).
If you agree to a payment plan or settlement, the collector must send you a written copy within 7 days (§ 28-3814(n)).
Attorney fees a collector can recover from you are generally limited to 15% of the debt (§ 28-3814(v)).
Any violation of the federal FDCPA also violates D.C. law (§ 28-3814(z)).
Can you sue under it?: Yes. You can sue for actual damages, costs and attorney's fees, punitive damages, and an extra $500 to $4,000 per violation (D.C. Code § 28-3814(u)).
Official text: Read the law

Old debts in District of Columbia

Written contracts: 3 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements: 3 years
Does a payment restart the clock?: No. Once the time limit has run out, a payment or a written or spoken promise to pay does not restart it (D.C. Code § 28-3814(l)).
Must collectors say a debt is too old?: No D.C. rule found that requires a written 'too old to sue' notice. But a collector may not sue you when it knows or should know the time limit has run out (D.C. Code § 28-3814(f)(10)), and the lawsuit itself must state that it was filed within the time limit (§ 28-3814(q)(6)).
Law: D.C. Code § 28-3814(o): a consumer debt lawsuit filed on or after Sept. 1, 2021 must be filed within 3 years, whatever the type of claim (contract, account stated, open account, even a contract under seal). Also § 12-301(a)(7).
Official text: Read the law

The time limit is the statute of limitations. Once it runs out, the debt is “time-barred”: a collector must not sue or threaten to sue you, but the debt still exists. Read more about time-barred debt.

Is my debt too old? Check District of Columbia's time limit

Every state limits how long a creditor or collector has to sue you over a debt. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of debt and the date of your last payment to see the limit and an estimated end date. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Wage garnishment and bank accounts in District of Columbia

Wage limit: Stricter than federal: only the part of your weekly disposable wages above 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage can be reached, and only 25% of that part.
Head of household: Most D.C. property exemptions in § 15-501 are written for the head of a family or householder who lives or earns most of their living in D.C.
Law: D.C. Code § 16-572; § 15-501

Federal benefits such as Social Security, SSI and VA benefits that were directly deposited are protected in your bank account up to two months' worth (31 CFR 212.6). A creditor usually needs a court judgment before it can garnish your wages or bank account.

Property you can keep in District of Columbia

D.C. protects your interest in the home you live in (no dollar cap is stated in § 15-501(a)(14)), up to $2,575 in one motor vehicle, household goods up to $8,625 in total, and Social Security, veterans, disability and unemployment benefits (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)).

Collector licensing in District of Columbia

License required: Not confirmed

Medical debt in District of Columbia

The Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Law 26-172) became law on Aug. 20, 2026 and adds § 28-3814(dd): no medical debt collection until 180 days after the first bill and at least 90 days' notice, interest capped at 3% a year, no liens on your primary home, no wage garnishment if your household income is under 500% of the federal poverty level, and no reporting of medical debt to credit bureaus. But these rules apply only 6 months after the law's cost is included in an approved D.C. budget (Law 26-172, § 6), and the D.C. Code marks § 28-3814(dd) 'Not Funded'. So, as of October 2026, they are not yet in force.

If you are sued in District of Columbia

Time to answer: Small Claims (up to $10,000): in most cases you do not have to file a written answer; you go to the hearing and tell the judge why you disagree. Civil Actions Branch: 21 days after you are served (D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(a)).
If you don't answer: If you miss the hearing or the answer deadline, the collector can get a default judgment. Before entering judgment in a debt collection case, the court must check that the collector met D.C.'s filing rules, and it can dismiss the case if not (§ 28-3814(t)).
Court self-help: District of Columbia court self-help (official)

Don't ignore court papers. Read what to do if a debt collector sues you.

Where to complain in District of Columbia

District of Columbia: Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Consumer and Tenant Response team · (202) 442-9828
Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Free help in District of Columbia

Good to know in District of Columbia

When a collector serves court papers in a consumer debt case, the proof of service must include a time-stamped photo with GPS coordinates (§ 28-3814(p)).
No one can be jailed for failing to pay a consumer debt, or for not obeying a court order to pay one (§ 28-3814(y)).
A debt collector's lawsuit must attach the signed contract or other proof and list the full chain of debt owners (§ 28-3814(q)).

Changes in 2024–2026

The 2022 amendments to § 28-3814 (D.C. Law 24-154) apply as of Jan. 1, 2023. In 2026 D.C. passed the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act (D.C. Law 26-172, law since Aug. 20, 2026); its debt-collection part (§ 28-3814(dd)) applies only 6 months after it is funded in the budget and is marked 'Not Funded' in the D.C. Code.

Free letters to send a collector

Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)

Within 30 days of the collector's validation notice.

Tell a collector to stop or limit contact

Stop all contact, writing only, or no calls at work.

Questions about debt collection in District of Columbia

What is the statute of limitations on debt in District of Columbia?

3 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (D.C. Code § 28-3814(o): a consumer debt lawsuit filed on or after Sept. 1, 2021 must be filed within 3 years, whatever the type of claim (contract, account stated, open account, even a contract under seal). Also § 12-301(a)(7).).

Does paying on an old debt restart the clock in District of Columbia?

No. Once the time limit has run out, a payment or a written or spoken promise to pay does not restart it (D.C. Code § 28-3814(l)).

Must a collector tell me a debt is too old to sue on in District of Columbia?

No D.C. rule found that requires a written 'too old to sue' notice. But a collector may not sue you when it knows or should know the time limit has run out (D.C. Code § 28-3814(f)(10)), and the lawsuit itself must state that it was filed within the time limit (§ 28-3814(q)(6)).

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in District of Columbia?

Stricter than federal: only the part of your weekly disposable wages above 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage can be reached, and only 25% of that part.

Does District of Columbia have its own debt collection law?

Yes: the D.C. debt collection law (D.C. Code § 28-3814), expanded by the Protecting Consumers from Unjust Debt Collection Practices Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Code § 28-3814). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts.

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in District of Columbia?

Small Claims (up to $10,000): in most cases you do not have to file a written answer; you go to the hearing and tell the judge why you disagree. Civil Actions Branch: 21 days after you are served (D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(a)).

Does District of Columbia protect people with medical debt?

The Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Law 26-172) became law on Aug. 20, 2026 and adds § 28-3814(dd): no medical debt collection until 180 days after the first bill and at least 90 days' notice, interest capped at 3% a year, no liens on your primary home, no wage garnishment if your household income is under 500% of the federal poverty level, and no reporting of medical debt to credit bureaus. But these rules apply only 6 months after the law's cost is included in an approved D.C. budget (Law 26-172, § 6), and the D.C. Code marks § 28-3814(dd) 'Not Funded'. So, as of October 2026, they are not yet in force.

Where can I complain about a debt collector in District of Columbia?

Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Consumer and Tenant Response team: https://oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint · (202) 442-9828

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources

Debt collectors in District of Columbia: your rights