# New Jersey statute of limitations on debt

> In New Jersey, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1. Periods for oral contracts, open accounts and promissory notes.

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

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In New Jersey, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1.

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

**Authority.** [N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1](https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/303)

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

## What the statute says

> or for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, or upon an account other than one which concerns the trade or merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, agents and servants, shall be commenced within six years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued

— [N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1](https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/303)

## When does the clock start?

Six years "next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued" — on breach/default. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-24 a signed written acknowledgment or promise, or a payment of principal or interest, starts the period afresh.

## What pauses it?

N.J.S.A. 2A:14-21 (plaintiff under 18 or with a mental disability preventing understanding of legal rights or commencing an action — may sue within the limited time after reaching majority or regaining capacity); N.J.S.A. 2A:14-22 ("Tolling of statute of limitations" — time during which a defendant subject to a cause under 2A:14-1 to 2A:14-5 or 2A:14-8 is not residing in New Jersey is not computed). NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED — I did not fetch 2A:14-21 or 2A:14-22.

Last reviewed 2026-07-26

## Related

- [Delaware statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/delaware/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [New York statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-york/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [Pennsylvania statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/pennsylvania/) — 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.