Statute of limitations on debt in Iowa

10 years to sue on a written contract and 5 years on an open account (Iowa Code § 614.1(4) (unwritten: 5 years), § 614.1(5) (written: 10 years); § 614.11).

Short answer

In Iowa, a creditor or debt collector has 10 years to sue on a written contract and 5 years to sue on an open account or unwritten agreement. A written, signed admission that the debt is unpaid, or a new promise to pay, revives a contract claim (Iowa Code § 614.11). The statute does not mention payments.

Written contracts
10 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
5 years

How long collectors have to sue in Iowa

Law
Iowa Code § 614.1(4) (unwritten: 5 years), § 614.1(5) (written: 10 years); § 614.11
Official text
Read the law

8 of our 48 state guides, Iowa among them, give 10 years on a written contract, longer than the most common 6 years. It is the longest limit in our guides (8 states). For comparison, the written-contract limit is 6 years in Minnesota, 10 years in Illinois, 10 years in Missouri and 5 years in Nebraska.

Suing a collector in Iowa

If a collector crosses the line: You can recover actual damages plus a penalty set by the court of $100 to $1,000 (not in a class action) for unfair collection practices under § 537.7103 (Iowa Code § 537.5201(1)(a)(25)). Time limits: for credit cards and other open-end credit, sue within 2 years of the violation; for other credit, within 1 year after the last scheduled payment date (§ 537.5201(1)(b)).

Does paying restart the time limit in Iowa?

A written, signed admission that the debt is unpaid, or a new promise to pay, revives a contract claim (Iowa Code § 614.11). The statute does not mention payments.

Must a collector say a debt is too old in Iowa?

No Iowa rule found. Under federal Regulation F, a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 C.F.R. § 1006.26(b)).

Iowa rules worth knowing about old debts

  • An employer may not fire you because your wages were garnished; you have 2 years to sue for lost wages (Iowa Code §§ 642.21(2)(c), 537.5201(5)).

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

Iowa: 10 years for a written contractEnter the date of your last payment to see when the time limit ends.

Sued on an old debt in Iowa?

Say in your written answer that the debt is too old. Deadline in Iowa: District court: file a motion or answer within 20 days after you are served (Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.303(1)). Small claims ($6,500 or less): file an Appearance and Answer by the date written on the Original Notice.

If you don't file an answer, the court or clerk can enter a default judgment giving the plaintiff what was asked for (Iowa Code § 631.5; Iowa Judicial Branch small claims page).

What to do if you are sued in Iowa

What to do about an old debt in Iowa

  1. Match the debt to the right limit

    Iowa gives 10 years for written contracts and 5 years for open accounts. Not sure which a credit card is? Try both in the checker.

  2. Don't pay or sign yet

    In Iowa: A written, signed admission that the debt is unpaid, or a new promise to pay, revives a contract claim (Iowa Code § 614.11). The statute does not mention payments.

  3. Ask the collector for proof

    A dispute letter sent within 30 days of the validation notice makes the collector verify the debt.

  4. Complain about a suit on a time-barred debt

    Report it to Iowa Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: 515-281-5926.

Old debts and your credit report

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). In Iowa, the time limit of 10 years to sue on a written contract can outlast the 7 years a collection may stay on your report. Read the time-barred debt guide.

Free help in Iowa

Questions about old debts in Iowa

How long can a debt collector sue me in Iowa?

10 years for written contracts and 5 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (Iowa Code § 614.1(4) (unwritten: 5 years), § 614.1(5) (written: 10 years); § 614.11).

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

A written, signed admission that the debt is unpaid, or a new promise to pay, revives a contract claim (Iowa Code § 614.11). The statute does not mention payments.

Does Iowa require a notice on time-barred debts?

No Iowa rule found. Under federal Regulation F, a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 C.F.R. § 1006.26(b)).

How long do collectors have to sue on an unwritten agreement in Iowa?

For open accounts and unwritten agreements, Iowa's limit is 5 years (Iowa Code § 614.1(4) (unwritten: 5 years), § 614.1(5) (written: 10 years); § 614.11).

More for Iowa

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources