Intentional deception causing financial or other harm. Deadlines range from 2 to 10 years depending on the state.
✓ All 50 states + D.C. — Updated 2026Quick answer: Fraud deadlines range from 2 years (Alabama) to 10 years (Rhode Island). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 yr | Ala. Code § 6-2-34 | Discovery rule: clock begins when fraud was or should have been discovered |
| Kansas | 2 yr | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(3) | Discovery rule applies |
| Montana | 2 yr | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-203 | Discovery rule applies |
| Oklahoma | 2 yr | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3) | Discovery rule applies |
| Virginia | 2 yr | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A) | Discovery rule applies |
| West Virginia | 2 yr | W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b) | Discovery rule applies |
| Alaska | 3 yr | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.053 | Discovery rule applies — clock starts at discovery |
| Arizona | 3 yr | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-543(3) | Discovery rule: clock starts when fraud was discovered or reasonably should have been |
| Arkansas | 3 yr | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111 | Discovery rule applies |
| California | 3 yr | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 338(d) | Discovery rule: clock starts when fraud was or should have been discovered |
| Colorado | 3 yr | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101 | Discovery rule applies |
| Connecticut | 3 yr | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 | Discovery rule applies |
| Delaware | 3 yr | Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 8106 | Discovery rule applies |
| District of Columbia | 3 yr | D.C. Code § 12-301(8) | Discovery rule applies |
| Idaho | 3 yr | Idaho Code § 5-218(4) | Discovery rule applies |
| Louisiana | 3 yr | La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3497 | Discovery rule applies |
| Maryland | 3 yr | Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 | Discovery rule applies |
| Mississippi | 3 yr | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 | Discovery rule applies |
| Nevada | 3 yr | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(d) | Discovery rule applies |
| New Hampshire | 3 yr | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 | Discovery rule applies |
| North Carolina | 3 yr | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(9) | Discovery rule applies |
| South Carolina | 3 yr | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(7) | Discovery rule applies |
| Tennessee | 3 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105 | Discovery rule applies |
| Utah | 3 yr | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-305(3) | Discovery rule applies |
| Washington | 3 yr | Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(4) | Discovery rule applies |
| Florida | 4 yr | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(j) | Discovery rule: clock starts when fraud was or should have been discovered |
| Georgia | 4 yr | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31 | Discovery rule applies |
| Nebraska | 4 yr | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 | Discovery rule applies |
| New Mexico | 4 yr | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-4 | Discovery rule applies |
| Ohio | 4 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.09(C) | Discovery rule applies |
| Pennsylvania | 4 yr | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5525(8) | Discovery rule applies |
| Texas | 4 yr | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004 | Discovery rule: clock starts when fraud discovered |
| Wyoming | 4 yr | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(D) | Discovery rule applies |
| Illinois | 5 yr | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-205 | Discovery rule applies |
| Iowa | 5 yr | Iowa Code § 614.1(4) | Discovery rule applies |
| Kentucky | 5 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.120(12) | Discovery rule applies |
| Missouri | 5 yr | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(5) | Discovery rule applies |
| Hawaii | 6 yr | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 | Discovery rule applies |
| Indiana | 6 yr | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-7 | Discovery rule applies |
| Maine | 6 yr | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 | Discovery rule applies |
| Massachusetts | 6 yr | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2 | Discovery rule applies |
| Michigan | 6 yr | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5813 | Discovery rule applies |
| Minnesota | 6 yr | Minn. Stat. § 541.05(6) | Discovery rule applies |
| New Jersey | 6 yr | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-1 | Discovery rule applies |
| New York | 6 yr | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(8) | Special rule: claim accrues on the later of 6 years from fraud OR 2 years from discovery |
| North Dakota | 6 yr | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16(6) | Discovery rule applies |
| Oregon | 6 yr | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(3) | Discovery rule applies |
| South Dakota | 6 yr | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(6) | Discovery rule applies |
| Vermont | 6 yr | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 511 | Discovery rule applies |
| Wisconsin | 6 yr | Wis. Stat. § 893.93(1m)(b) | Discovery rule applies |
| Rhode Island | 10 yr | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) | Discovery rule applies |
Of 51 jurisdictions, 6 give 2 years, 19 give 3 years, 8 give 4 years, 4 give 5 years, 13 give 6 years, 1 give 10 years.
| Region | Average | Shortest | Longest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 5.6 years | 3 years | 10 years |
| Midwest | 5.1 years | 2 years | 6 years |
| South | 3.1 years | 2 years | 5 years |
| West | 3.5 years | 2 years | 6 years |
In many states, especially for fraud 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.
Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 338(d)
Discovery rule: clock starts when fraud was or should have been discovered
Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(j)
Discovery rule: clock starts when fraud was or should have been discovered
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(8)
Special rule: claim accrues on the later of 6 years from fraud OR 2 years from discovery
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. Fraud deadlines run from 2 years (Alabama, Kansas, Montana and 3 more) to 10 years (Rhode Island), with a median of 4 years.
Alabama, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Virginia and West Virginia give just 2 years.
Rhode Island give 10 years, the longest in this dataset.
Not always. In 51 of 51 jurisdictions the fraud 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. "Fraud Statute of Limitations by State (2026)." Reviewed October 2026. https://www.statutelimits.com/case-types/fraud
Statute of limitations rules for fraud cases are complex. Exceptions, tolling rules, and government notice requirements can significantly change your actual deadline.
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