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Pennsylvania: debt time limits

How long a creditor or debt collector has to sue you over credit card debt, written and oral contracts, and promissory notes.

Credit cards and open accounts4 years
Written contracts4 years
Oral contracts4 years
Promissory notes6 years
Law42 Pa.C.S. 5525

The clock usually starts at your last payment. In many states a new payment or a written promise to pay can restart it. Once the deadline passes a collector cannot win a lawsuit, but the debt can still appear on your credit report for up to 7 years. Federal student loans have no deadline.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in Pennsylvania.

How Pennsylvania compares

4 ranks 29 of 51 (1 = highest) for years to sue on credit card debt.

Lowest 3Highest 10

Alaska: 3 yearsAKMaine: 6 yearsMEVermont: 6 yearsVTNew Hampshire: 3 yearsNHWashington: 6 yearsWAIdaho: 5 yearsIDMontana: 5 yearsMTNorth Dakota: 6 yearsNDMinnesota: 6 yearsMNIllinois: 5 yearsILWisconsin: 6 yearsWIMichigan: 6 yearsMINew York: 3 yearsNYRhode Island: 10 yearsRIMassachusetts: 6 yearsMAOregon: 6 yearsORNevada: 4 yearsNVWyoming: 8 yearsWYSouth Dakota: 6 yearsSDIowa: 5 or 10 (courts have not settled it)IAIndiana: 6 yearsINOhio: 6 yearsOHPennsylvania: 4 yearsPANew Jersey: 6 yearsNJConnecticut: 6 yearsCTCalifornia: 4 yearsCAUtah: 4 or 6 (courts have not settled it)UTColorado: 6 yearsCONebraska: 4 yearsNEMissouri: 5 yearsMOKentucky: 5 yearsKYWest Virginia: 5 yearsWVVirginia: 3 yearsVAMaryland: 3 yearsMDDelaware: 3 yearsDEArizona: 6 yearsAZNew Mexico: 4 yearsNMKansas: 3 or 5 (courts have not settled it)KSArkansas: 5 yearsARTennessee: 6 yearsTNNorth Carolina: 3 yearsNCSouth Carolina: 3 yearsSCDistrict of Columbia: 3 yearsDCOklahoma: 3 yearsOKLouisiana: 3 yearsLAMississippi: 3 yearsMSAlabama: 3 yearsALGeorgia: 4 yearsGAHawaii: 6 yearsHITexas: 4 yearsTXFlorida: 4 yearsFL
  • 3 (14)
  • 4 (9)
  • 5 (8)
  • 6 (18)
  • 8 – 10 (2)

Also for Pennsylvania: Malpractice rules in Pennsylvania · Small claims limits in Pennsylvania · Small estate limits in Pennsylvania · Shared fault rules in Pennsylvania · Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania · ACA marketplace in Pennsylvania · Claim deadlines in Pennsylvania · Estate and inheritance tax in Pennsylvania · All Pennsylvania rules on one page

How we checked this

Periods come from a statute-cited 2026 law-firm chart and match two other 2026 consumer finance tables. Where courts have not settled how credit cards are classified, both periods are shown. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.