Statute of limitations on debt in New Jersey

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

Short answer

A spoken promise does not restart the clock. A new promise or acknowledgment must be in writing and signed by you. The law keeps whatever effect a payment of principal or interest has (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-24).

Written contracts
6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
6 years

How long collectors have to sue in New Jersey

Law
N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1 (6 years for contracts and accounts; sales of goods follow the 4-year UCC rule in N.J.S.A. 12A:2-725); 2A:14-24
Official text
Read the law

6 years is the most common limit in our 48 state guides (22 states). For comparison, the written-contract limit is 3 years in New York, 4 years in Pennsylvania and 3 years in Delaware.

If a collector breaks the law in New Jersey

If a collector crosses the line: New Jersey has no general state debt collection act. You can sue a debt collector under the federal FDCPA. The medical debt act is enforced only by the Attorney General and gives no private right to sue (N.J.S.A. 56:11-62(d)).

Payments, promises and the clock in New Jersey

A spoken promise does not restart the clock. A new promise or acknowledgment must be in writing and signed by you. The law keeps whatever effect a payment of principal or interest has (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-24).

Must a collector say a debt is too old in New Jersey?

No state rule found that makes collectors tell you a debt is too old to sue on. Federal rule: a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)).

Is my debt too old? Check New Jersey's time limit

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

Steps for an old debt in New Jersey

  1. Don't pay or sign yet

    In New Jersey: A spoken promise does not restart the clock. A new promise or acknowledgment must be in writing and signed by you. The law keeps whatever effect a payment of principal or interest has (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-24).

  2. Ask the collector for proof

    Use a dispute letter within 30 days of the collector's validation notice.

  3. Report a collector who sues on an old debt

    File a complaint with New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Office of the Attorney General) and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

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)). 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). More in our guide to time-barred debt.

Free help in New Jersey

Questions about old debts in New Jersey

How long can a debt collector sue me in New Jersey?

6 years for written contracts and 6 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1 (6 years for contracts and accounts; sales of goods follow the 4-year UCC rule in N.J.S.A. 12A:2-725); 2A:14-24).

Can a small payment revive an old debt in New Jersey?

A spoken promise does not restart the clock. A new promise or acknowledgment must be in writing and signed by you. The law keeps whatever effect a payment of principal or interest has (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-24).

Must a collector tell me a debt is too old to sue on in New Jersey?

No state rule found that makes collectors tell you a debt is too old to sue on. Federal rule: a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)).

More for New Jersey

Statute of limitations in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources