Statute of limitations on debt in Minnesota

6 years to sue on a written contract or an open account (Minn. Stat. § 541.053 (consumer debt: 6 years); § 541.05, subd. 1(1) (contracts: 6 years)).

Short answer

For consumer debt, once the 6 years run out, a payment, a bankruptcy discharge, or an oral or written promise to pay does not restart the clock.

Written contracts
6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
6 years

Time limits to sue in Minnesota

Law
Minn. Stat. § 541.053 (consumer debt: 6 years); § 541.05, subd. 1(1) (contracts: 6 years)
Official text
Read the law

22 of the 48 states we cover use 6 years, the most common limit. Nearby, the written-contract limit is 10 years in Iowa, 6 years in South Dakota and 6 years in North Dakota.

Collection suits and your rights in Minnesota

  • Breaking the federal FDCPA is also a violation of Minnesota law for licensed collection agencies, debt buyers and collectors. (Minn. Stat. § 332.37(a)(12))
  • A collector may not sue you after the 6-year limit for consumer debt has run out. (Minn. Stat. § 332.37(a)(24); § 541.053)
  • 2024 Debt Fairness Act (Laws 2024, ch. 114, art. 3): new chapter 332C on medical debt (credit reporting ban, prohibited practices, lawyer fees for consumers who win medical debt suits, private lawsuits) and new rules for providers (§§ 62J.805-62J.808); spouses no longer liable for each other's debts, including medical bills (§ 519.05); new or higher property exemptions, including a vehicle exemption of $10,000 ($25,000 for a disability-used vehicle) and new exemptions for pets, musical instruments and household tools (§ 550.37); coerced-debt protections for abuse victims expanded (§§ 332.71-332.74); tiered wage garnishment limits (§ 571.922). § 571.922 was amended again in 2025 (1st Sp. 2025, ch. 4, art. 7, § 34) and § 551.05 bank-levy forms in 2025 (ch. 18).

Your right to sue a collector: The Collection Agencies Act does not spell out a private lawsuit. For medical debt, you can sue under Minn. Stat. § 332C.05 for actual damages, up to $1,000 per violation (adjusted for inflation), plus costs and lawyer fees, and three times that for willful and malicious violations.

Does paying restart the time limit in Minnesota?

For consumer debt, once the 6 years run out, a payment, a bankruptcy discharge, or an oral or written promise to pay does not restart the clock. (Minn. Stat. § 541.053)

Other Minnesota rules on old debts

  • After 6 years, even a payment or a new promise does not revive a consumer debt in Minnesota. (Minn. Stat. § 541.053)

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

Minnesota: 6 years for a written contractEnter the date of your last payment to see when the time limit ends.

An old debt in a Minnesota court

Say in your written answer that the debt is too old. Deadline in Minnesota: 21 days after you are served with the summons (district court)

If you don't answer: In Minnesota a lawsuit starts when you are served, and the papers may not yet be filed with the court. You still must answer within 21 days, or the collector can ask for a default judgment. (Minn. R. Civ. P. 3.01, 12.01)

What to do if you are sued in Minnesota

What to do about an old debt in Minnesota

  1. Don't pay or sign yet

    In Minnesota: For consumer debt, once the 6 years run out, a payment, a bankruptcy discharge, or an oral or written promise to pay does not restart the clock.

  2. Dispute the debt in writing

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

  3. Make sure the collector is licensed

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

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

    File a complaint with Minnesota Attorney General's Office and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787.

Old debts and your credit report

A collector may not sue or threaten to sue on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). Most collection accounts can stay on a credit report for up to 7 years from 180 days after you first fell behind (15 U.S.C. 1681c). Read the time-barred debt guide.

Free help in Minnesota

Questions about old debts in Minnesota

How long can a debt collector sue me in Minnesota?

6 years for written contracts and 6 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (Minn. Stat. § 541.053 (consumer debt: 6 years); § 541.05, subd. 1(1) (contracts: 6 years)).

Can a small payment revive an old debt in Minnesota?

For consumer debt, once the 6 years run out, a payment, a bankruptcy discharge, or an oral or written promise to pay does not restart the clock. (Minn. Stat. § 541.053)

Related Minnesota pages

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources