Libel (written) or slander (spoken) false statements causing harm. Deadlines range from 1 to 3 years depending on the state.
✓ All 50 states + D.C. — Updated 2026Quick answer: Defamation deadlines range from 1 year (Arizona) to 3 years (Wisconsin). Exact periods, citations and exceptions for every state are listed below.
Data last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
| State ↕ | Years to File ↑ | Official Statute | Key Exception |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 yr | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-541 | — |
| California | 1 yr | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 340(c) | Single publication rule applies |
| Colorado | 1 yr | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103 | — |
| District of Columbia | 1 yr | D.C. Code § 12-301(4) | — |
| Georgia | 1 yr | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 | — |
| Illinois | 1 yr | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201 | — |
| Kansas | 1 yr | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-514(a) | — |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(d) | — |
| Louisiana | 1 yr | La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3492 | — |
| Maryland | 1 yr | Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-105 | — |
| Michigan | 1 yr | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(9) | — |
| Mississippi | 1 yr | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35 | — |
| Nebraska | 1 yr | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208 | — |
| New Jersey | 1 yr | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-3 | — |
| New York | 1 yr | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(3) | Single publication rule applies |
| North Carolina | 1 yr | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-54(3) | — |
| Ohio | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A) | — |
| Oklahoma | 1 yr | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(4) | — |
| Oregon | 1 yr | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.120(2) | — |
| Pennsylvania | 1 yr | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5523(1) | — |
| Tennessee | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) | — |
| Texas | 1 yr | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.002 | — |
| Utah | 1 yr | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-302(2) | — |
| Virginia | 1 yr | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1 | — |
| West Virginia | 1 yr | W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(c) | — |
| Wyoming | 1 yr | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(B) | — |
| Alabama | 2 yr | Ala. Code § 6-2-38(k) | — |
| Alaska | 2 yr | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070 | — |
| Connecticut | 2 yr | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-597 | — |
| Delaware | 2 yr | Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 8119 | — |
| Florida | 2 yr | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(g) | — |
| Hawaii | 2 yr | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-4 | — |
| Idaho | 2 yr | Idaho Code § 5-219(5) | — |
| Indiana | 2 yr | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 | — |
| Iowa | 2 yr | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) | — |
| Maine | 2 yr | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 753 | — |
| Minnesota | 2 yr | Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) | — |
| Missouri | 2 yr | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 | — |
| Montana | 2 yr | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204(3) | — |
| Nevada | 2 yr | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c) | — |
| North Dakota | 2 yr | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-18(1) | — |
| South Carolina | 2 yr | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-550 | — |
| South Dakota | 2 yr | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-15(3) | — |
| Washington | 2 yr | Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.100 | — |
| Arkansas | 3 yr | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 yr | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 4 | — |
| New Hampshire | 3 yr | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 | — |
| New Mexico | 3 yr | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 | — |
| Rhode Island | 3 yr | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) | — |
| Vermont | 3 yr | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 512(3) | — |
| Wisconsin | 3 yr | Wis. Stat. § 893.57 | — |
Of 51 jurisdictions, 26 give 1 year, 18 give 2 years, 7 give 3 years.
| Region | Average | Shortest | Longest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 2.1 years | 1 year | 3 years |
| Midwest | 1.7 years | 1 year | 3 years |
| South | 1.4 years | 1 year | 3 years |
| West | 1.6 years | 1 year | 3 years |
In many states, especially for defamation claims, the clock doesn't start until you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm. This is especially important when injuries aren't immediately obvious.
Most states pause (toll) the statute of limitations while the victim is under 18. The clock typically starts running on their 18th birthday. Similar rules may apply to those who are mentally incapacitated.
Suing a city, county, or state agency? Most states require a "Notice of Claim" filed within 60–180 days of the incident — before you can even file a lawsuit. Missing this shorter deadline can permanently bar your claim.
If the defendant actively hid their wrongdoing, courts may extend your deadline. This is called "equitable tolling" due to fraudulent concealment. You generally must show you acted diligently to discover the claim.
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.002
Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(g)
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5523(1)
735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201
Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A)
O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-54(3)
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(9)
Filing deadlines vary significantly by the type of legal claim. Explore deadlines for other case types across all 50 states.
It depends on the state. Defamation deadlines run from 1 year (Arizona, California, Colorado and 23 more) to 3 years (Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and 4 more), with a median of 1 year.
Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois and 20 more give just 1 year.
Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and 1 more give 3 years, the longest in this dataset.
Not always. In 0 of 51 jurisdictions the defamation start rule in our data refers to discovery of the harm. Check the state page for the exact accrual rule.
Use the table above or the map to open your state's page, which lists the statute citation, when the clock starts and common exceptions.
StatuteLimits.com. "Defamation Statute of Limitations by State (2026)." Reviewed October 2026. https://www.statutelimits.com/case-types/defamation
Statute of limitations rules for defamation cases are complex. Exceptions, tolling rules, and government notice requirements can significantly change your actual deadline.
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