Arizona Statute of Limitations on Debt: 2026 Guide

Arizona's statute of limitations on written contract debt — including credit cards — is 6 years under A.R.S. §12-548. Oral agreements have a shorter 3-year window (A.R.S. §12-543), so debt type matters when calculating your deadline.

How Long Can a Collector Sue You in Arizona?

The clock for most consumer debt in Arizona runs 6 years from the date of your last payment, last charge, or written acknowledgment of the debt. For a typical credit card (classified as an open-account written contract), the 6-year limit under A.R.S. §12-548 applies. Once that window closes, the debt is legally time-barred and a court will dismiss any collection lawsuit filed against you — if you raise the defense.

According to the CFPB, debt collectors contact tens of millions of Americans annually about old debts, many of which are already time-barred. Knowing your state's deadline is the first step to exercising your rights.

Worked Example: $4,200 Credit Card, Last Payment July 2019

Suppose you made your last payment on a $4,200 Arizona credit card balance in July 2019. Using SOLCheck at /tools/sol-checker, you enter: state = AZ, debt type = credit card, last activity = July 2019, today = June 2026.

Result: TIME-BARRED. The 6-year window under A.R.S. §12-548 expired in July 2025. A collector who files suit now is attempting to enforce a time-barred debt. That does not mean they cannot try — but you have an absolute defense. Raise the SOL affirmative defense in your response to any court summons and the case should be dismissed.

What Happens After a Debt Is Time-Barred in Arizona?

A time-barred debt still legally exists — Arizona has no law that extinguishes debt at the SOL expiration, it only bars the lawsuit remedy. Three important consequences follow:

Collectors may still call you. The FDCPA permits collection contacts even after the SOL expires, as long as collectors do not sue or threaten to sue on a time-barred debt. Threatening a lawsuit they cannot win is an FDCPA §807 violation. If a collector threatens legal action on a debt you believe is time-barred, document the call and consider contacting a consumer attorney — FDCPA violations entitle you to up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees.

The credit reporting clock is separate. Under FCRA §605(a)(4), most negative accounts must be removed from your credit report 7 years from the original date of delinquency — regardless of the lawsuit SOL. A debt can be time-barred for lawsuits and still appear on your credit report for one or two more years, or be off the report but still within the lawsuit window.

Your debt may still be sold. Debt buyers purchase portfolios of old accounts and attempt collection. A debt sold to a third party after the SOL expires is still time-barred — the new owner does not get a fresh clock.

Can You Restart the Arizona SOL Clock?

Yes — and this is the most dangerous trap for consumers. Under Arizona law, two actions can restart (re-age) the SOL clock:

Making any payment — even $1 — can restart the 6-year period from the date of that payment.
Written acknowledgment of the debt — a signed letter or email confirming you owe the balance can restart the clock.

Verbal acknowledgments alone generally do not restart the clock in Arizona, but written ones — including emails — may. Do not respond to collection letters in writing, agree to a payment plan, or make any payment on a debt you believe is time-barred without first verifying the SOL status using SOLCheck and ideally consulting a consumer attorney.

Can a Collector Sue You After the SOL in Arizona?

A collector can file suit — courts accept filings. But if you appear and raise the affirmative defense of statute of limitations in your written answer, the case will be dismissed. The danger is default judgment: if you ignore the summons and do not appear, the court may enter judgment against you regardless of the SOL. Always respond to court papers. See Can a Debt Collector Sue You After the Statute of Limitations? for what to do if you receive a summons.

Arizona SOL by Debt Type

Debt Type	SOL	Statute
Written contract (credit card, auto, personal loan)	6 years	A.R.S. §12-548
Oral agreement	3 years	A.R.S. §12-543
Promissory note	6 years	A.R.S. §12-548
Judgment	5 years (renewable)	A.R.S. §12-1551

How to Check Your Specific Arizona Debt

State statutes are a starting point, but your situation may have complicating factors: debt sold to a third party, partial payments, a different state's choice-of-law clause in your original contract, or a balance that includes added fees that reset the accrual date. Use SOLCheck to run the numbers for your specific dates, then consult a consumer protection attorney if you receive a summons.

Compliance note: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Statute of limitations values are sourced from Arizona Revised Statutes as of 2025 and are marked unverified pending attorney review — confirm any value before acting. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed Arizona attorney. See also: CFPB: Time-Barred Debt and FTC: Time-Barred Debts.