Statute of limitations on debt in Nevada

6 years to sue on a written contract and 4 years on an open account.

Short answer

In Nevada, a creditor or debt collector has 6 years to sue on a written contract and 4 years to sue on an open account or unwritten agreement. Nevada limits what restarts the clock: No, not once the time limit has passed. Any payment, affirmation or other action on a debt after the period in NRS 11.190 has expired does not revive it (NRS 11.200(2), added 2023).

Written contracts
6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
4 years
Can a payment restart the clock?
Not by itself

Time limits to sue in Nevada

Law
NRS 11.190(1)(b) (written contract, 6 years); NRS 11.190(2)(a)-(c) (open account, store account or unwritten contract, 4 years); NRS 11.200
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 4 years in California, 6 years in Oregon, 5 years in Idaho and 6 years in Utah.

Nevada rules when a collector sues, and your rights

  • A collection agency may not sue you on a debt when it knows or should know the time limit for suing has passed (NRS 649.375(1)(j)).
  • Medical debt: a collection agency may not file a regular lawsuit on a medical debt smaller than the small claims limit (it may still use small claims court). It can't charge collection or attorney fees above 5% of the debt or take a confession of judgment (NRS 649.368; NRS 73.010).

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

No general disclosure rule found. For hospital claims, a collection agency must tell you that paying or agreeing to pay may count as acknowledging the claim, but does not waive the time limit (NRS 649.332(2)). Collection agencies may not sue on a debt they know or should know is time-barred (NRS 649.375(1)(j)).

Can a payment restart the clock in Nevada?

No, not once the time limit has passed. Any payment, affirmation or other action on a debt after the period in NRS 11.190 has expired does not revive it (NRS 11.200(2), added 2023). A payment made before the period runs out restarts the clock from that payment (NRS 11.200(1)).

More Nevada rules on old debts

  • Since 2023, making a payment on a debt that is already time-barred does not restart the clock in Nevada (NRS 11.200(2)).
  • The 2023 changes (no revival of time-barred debt by payment, NRS 11.200(2); remote work rules; SB 276 and SB 355) took effect before 2024.

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

Nevada: 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 Nevada

Raise the time limit in your answer. Time to answer in Nevada: 21 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Justice Court, JCRCP 12(a)). District Court uses the same 21 days (NRCP 12(a)).

If you don't answer in time, the creditor can ask the court for a default judgment against you. That can lead to wage garnishment or a bank levy.

What to do if you are sued in Nevada

Handling an old debt in Nevada

  1. Match the debt to the right limit

    Nevada gives 6 years for written contracts and 4 years for open accounts. Not sure which a credit card is? Try both in the checker.

  2. Don't pay or sign yet

    In Nevada: No, not once the time limit has passed. Any payment, affirmation or other action on a debt after the period in NRS 11.190 has expired does not revive it (NRS 11.200(2), added 2023).

  3. Ask the collector for proof

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

  4. Check the collector's license

    Nevada requires collectors to be licensed. Look the company up: Official license lookup.

  5. Report a suit on an old debt

    Report it to Nevada Financial Institutions Division (for collection agencies) and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: 702-486-4120.

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 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). All the federal rules: time-barred debt guide.

Free legal and consumer help in Nevada

Questions about old debts in Nevada

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Nevada?

6 years for written contracts and 4 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (NRS 11.190(1)(b) (written contract, 6 years); NRS 11.190(2)(a)-(c) (open account, store account or unwritten contract, 4 years); NRS 11.200).

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

No, not once the time limit has passed. Any payment, affirmation or other action on a debt after the period in NRS 11.190 has expired does not revive it (NRS 11.200(2), added 2023). A payment made before the period runs out restarts the clock from that payment (NRS 11.200(1)).

Does Nevada require a notice on time-barred debts?

No general disclosure rule found. For hospital claims, a collection agency must tell you that paying or agreeing to pay may count as acknowledging the claim, but does not waive the time limit (NRS 649.332(2)). Collection agencies may not sue on a debt they know or should know is time-barred (NRS 649.375(1)(j)).

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

For open accounts and unwritten agreements, Nevada's limit is 4 years (NRS 11.190(1)(b) (written contract, 6 years); NRS 11.190(2)(a)-(c) (open account, store account or unwritten contract, 4 years); NRS 11.200).

More for Nevada

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources