Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from the date of the first uncured missed payment (default) — under Mertola, LLC v. Santos the full accelerated balance accrues then, under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A).
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Arizona law sets a hard deadline of 6 years to sue over unpaid credit card debt. The controlling statute is Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A), and the clock generally starts on the date of the first uncured missed payment (default) — under Mertola, LLC v. Santos the full accelerated balance accrues then. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Arizona Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 6 years | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542; § 12-611; § 12-612 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | A.R.S. § 12-541(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
When the Clock Starts
In Arizona, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on the date of the first uncured missed payment (default) — under Mertola, LLC v. Santos the full accelerated balance accrues then. Arizona does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Since a 2011 amendment, A.R.S. § 12-548(A) expressly names 'a credit card' alongside a written contract, fixing a 6-year period (raised from the old 3-year open-account view). Under Mertola, LLC v. Santos (Ariz. 2018) the clock runs from the first uncured missed payment for the entire balance. Revival requires a written acknowledgment or new promise (A.R.S. § 12-508); a bare partial payment is weaker.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A), official Arizona statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Arizona government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Arizona Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 6 years | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| California | 4 yrs | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 337(a) |
| Nevada | 4 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(2) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(1) |
| New Mexico | 4 yrs | N.M.S.A. 1978, § 37-1-4 |
| Colorado | 6 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Arizona?
You have 6 years from the date of the first uncured missed payment (default) — under Mertola, LLC v. Santos the full accelerated balance accrues then, under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A).
Can I still sue after 6 years in Arizona?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
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Sources
- Official A.R.S. § 12-548 (Arizona State Legislature)
- Corroborating Justia — Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-548
- Corroborating FindLaw — A.R.S. § 12-548
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Arizona attorney.