Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in District of Columbia
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: D.C. Code § 28-3814(o) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from the date of default — the first missed payment (last payment/charge-off) after which the account is never brought current, under D.C. Code § 28-3814(o).
Advertisement
Under D.C. Code § 28-3814(o), you have 3 years from the date of default — the first missed payment (last payment/charge-off) after which the account is never brought current to sue over unpaid credit card debt in District of Columbia. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several District of Columbia-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
District of Columbia Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 3 years | D.C. Code § 28-3814(o) |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8) |
| Medical Malpractice | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | D.C. Code § 16-2702 |
| Personal Injury | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 12-301(8) |
| Dog Bite | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 8-1808 (dangerous animal liability); SOL: D.C. Code § 12-301(8) |
| Slip and Fall | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 12-301(8) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | D.C. Code § 12-301(4) |
| Breach of Contract | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 12-301(7) |
| Medical Debt | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 12-301(7) |
When the Clock Starts
In District of Columbia, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on the date of default — the first missed payment (last payment/charge-off) after which the account is never brought current. District of Columbia does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
Advertisement
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.
The 2022 consumer-debt law (§ 28-3814) sets a 3-year period for any consumer debt 'whether the legal basis of the claim sounds in contract, account stated, open account, or other cause.' The 3-year limitations period is in subsection (o); it matches the general 3-year contract limit (§ 12-301(a)(7)). Revival is BARRED by subsection (l): once the period has expired, no later payment or written/oral affirmation revives or extends it.
Source: D.C. Code § 28-3814(o), official District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 3 years | D.C. Code § 28-3814(o) |
| Maryland | 3 yrs | Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-101 |
| Virginia | 3 yrs | Va. Code § 8.01-246(4) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in District of Columbia?
You have 3 years from the date of default — the first missed payment (last payment/charge-off) after which the account is never brought current, under D.C. Code § 28-3814(o).
Can I still sue after 3 years in District of Columbia?
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.
Advertisement
Sources
- Official D.C. Code § 28-3814 (Debt collection) (official D.C. Law Library)
- Corroborating D.C. Code § 28-3814 (Justia)
- Corroborating Statute of Limitations in All 50 States (Nolo)
- 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 District of Columbia attorney.