# Arizona statute of limitations on debt

> In Arizona, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under A.R.S. §§ 12-543, 12-548. Periods for oral contracts, open accounts and promissory notes.

- Source: https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/arizona/
- Publisher: Otto — https://ottoforfirms.com
- Updated: 2026-09-01

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In Arizona, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under A.R.S. §§ 12-543, 12-548.

**Rule.** A written contract claim in Arizona must be brought within 6 years.

**Authority.** [A.R.S. §§ 12-543, 12-548](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00548.htm)

| Contract type | Limitations period |
| --- | --- |
| Written contract | 6 yr |
| Oral contract | 3 yr |
| Open account | 3 yr |
| Promissory note | 6 yr |

## What the statute says

> An action for debt shall be commenced and prosecuted within six years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, if the indebtedness is evidenced by or founded on either of the following: 1. A contract in writing that is executed in this state. 2. A credit card as defined in section 13-2101, paragraph 3, subdivision (a).

— [A.R.S. §§ 12-543, 12-548](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00548.htm)

## When does the clock start?

Six years after the cause of action accrues; for a card account with an optional acceleration clause, Arizona treats the entire balance as accruing on default rather than installment by installment.

## What pauses it?

§ 12-501 excludes the debtor's time out of state; § 12-502 excludes minority (under 18) or unsound mind, with the full period running again after the disability is removed.

## In practice

Important limitation: A.R.S. § 12-548(A)(1) applies the six-year period only to "a contract in writing that is executed in this state." A written contract executed outside Arizona is not within that subsection on the face of the statute, and the period that governs it instead has not been resolved here. Confirm where the contract was executed before relying on six years.

Last reviewed 2026-07-26

## Related

- [California statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/california/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [Nevada statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/nevada/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [New Mexico statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-mexico/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.

## About Otto

This table is a free reference and it is not the product. Otto is case management for US collections law firms; the rules engine ships all fifty states configured — four shown in end-to-end depth in the demo — and it checks a date like this one before a file moves rather than after.

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---

This is an informational reference, not legal advice, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. Limitations periods turn on facts this page cannot know — which state's law governs, the contract type, when the claim accrued, and whether anything tolled or revived it. Confirm against the primary source and your own counsel before acting.