Statute of limitations on debt in New York

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

Short answer

New York limits what restarts the clock: No for consumer credit debts: after the 3 years run out, any payment, written or spoken promise, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend the limit (CPLR 214-i). Collectors must also warn you about old debts: Third-party collectors and debt buyers must give a statute-of-limitations disclosure before accepting payment on a debt they know or should know is time-barred (23 NYCRR § 1.3, per DFS FAQ).

Written contracts
3 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
3 years
Can a payment restart the clock?
Not by itself
Notice that a debt is too old?
Yes

How long collectors have to sue in New York

Law
CPLR 214-i (3 years: action arising out of a consumer credit transaction where you, the purchaser, borrower or debtor, are the defendant; shown as the written-contract and open-account limit); CPLR 105(f) (consumer credit transaction: credit extended to an individual primarily for personal, family or household purposes); CPLR 213(2) (6 years: other contract actions); CPLR 213-d (3 years from treatment for hospital/provider medical debt)
Official text
Read the law

At 3 years, New York is shorter than the most common limit in our 48 state guides, 6 years; 7 states share this limit. It is the shortest limit in our guides (7 states). Nearby, the written-contract limit is 6 years in New Jersey, 4 years in Pennsylvania, 6 years in Connecticut and 6 years in Massachusetts.

Your rights against collectors in New York

  • Creditors and their agents may not tell your employer about the debt before getting a final judgment (GBL § 601(4)).
  • The FAIR Business Practices Act (signed in December 2025) changed GBL § 349 so it now bans 'unfair' and 'abusive' practices, not only deceptive ones; the Attorney General can act on more collection conduct, but your own right to sue under § 349(h) is still for deceptive acts.

Your right to sue a collector: GBL § 601 itself is enforced by the Attorney General and district attorneys (violations are misdemeanors). You can sue under GBL § 349 for a deceptive practice: actual damages or $50, whichever is more, up to triple damages capped at $1,000 for willful violations, plus attorney's fees.

Other New York rules on old debts

  • New York gives 3 years to sue on a consumer credit debt, meaning credit given to you mainly for personal, family or household purposes (CPLR 214-i; CPLR 105(f)). Other written contracts have 6 years (CPLR 213(2)). The 3-year limit is one of the shortest in the country.
  • Before taking payment on a debt they know or should know is too old to sue on, third-party collectors and debt buyers must give you a statute-of-limitations disclosure (23 NYCRR § 1.3).
  • For consumer credit debts, once the 3-year limit runs out, a payment or promise does not restart it (CPLR 214-i).

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

Yes. Third-party collectors and debt buyers must give a statute-of-limitations disclosure before accepting payment on a debt they know or should know is time-barred (23 NYCRR § 1.3, per DFS FAQ). New York City requires its own disclosure too.

Can a payment restart the clock in New York?

No for consumer credit debts: after the 3 years run out, any payment, written or spoken promise, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend the limit (CPLR 214-i).

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

New York: 3 years for a written contractEnter the date of your last payment to see when the time limit ends.

An old debt in a New York court

The time limit protects you only if you raise it, so answer on time. In New York: 20 days after you were handed the summons in person; 30 days if it was served another way, such as left with someone else and mailed (CPLR 320(a)). The summons in NYC Civil Court or a local court states the deadline.

If you do not answer in time, the collector can ask for a default judgment, which can lead to a bank restraint or wage garnishment.

What to do if you are sued in New York

Handling an old debt in New York

  1. Think before you pay or sign

    In New York: No for consumer credit debts: after the 3 years run out, any payment, written or spoken promise, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend the limit (CPLR 214-i).

  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 York State Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection (also NYS Department of Financial Services for third-party collectors) and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: 1-800-771-7755.

Federal rules on old debts

Under federal law, a collector must not sue or threaten to sue you on a debt that is too old to sue on (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 help in New York

Questions about old debts in New York

What is the statute of limitations on debt in New York?

3 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (CPLR 214-i (3 years: action arising out of a consumer credit transaction where you, the purchaser, borrower or debtor, are the defendant; shown as the written-contract and open-account limit); CPLR 105(f) (consumer credit transaction: credit extended to an individual primarily for personal, family or household purposes); CPLR 213(2) (6 years: other contract actions); CPLR 213-d (3 years from treatment for hospital/provider medical debt)).

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

No for consumer credit debts: after the 3 years run out, any payment, written or spoken promise, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend the limit (CPLR 214-i).

Does New York require a notice on time-barred debts?

Yes. Third-party collectors and debt buyers must give a statute-of-limitations disclosure before accepting payment on a debt they know or should know is time-barred (23 NYCRR § 1.3, per DFS FAQ). New York City requires its own disclosure too.

Related New York pages

Statute of limitations in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources