Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from thirty calendar days after the date of the last charge or the last payment on the account, whichever is later, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C).
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If you're researching credit card debt collection in Ohio, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) gives you to sue over unpaid credit card debt, counted from thirty calendar days after the date of the last charge or the last payment on the account, whichever is later. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Ohio Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
When the Clock Starts
In Ohio, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on thirty calendar days after the date of the last charge or the last payment on the account, whichever is later. Ohio 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.
Credit-card debt is a 'consumer transaction ... including an account stated' under § 2305.07(C) — 6 years, reduced from 8 by Senate Bill 13 (effective June 14, 2021). Distinctive accrual codified in the statute: the cause of action accrues thirty calendar days after the last charge or payment, whichever is later. Revival trap: Ohio ALLOWS revival — a partial payment or a signed written acknowledgment/new promise restarts the clock (Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.08). Verified against codes.ohio.gov (official text confirms 6 years + 30-day accrual).
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C), official Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) |
| Pennsylvania | 4 yrs | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a) |
| West Virginia | 10 yrs | W. Va. Code § 55-2-6 |
| Kentucky | 5 yrs | KRS § 413.120 |
| Indiana | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
| Michigan | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Ohio?
You have 6 years from thirty calendar days after the date of the last charge or the last payment on the account, whichever is later, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C).
Can I still sue after 6 years in Ohio?
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 Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules — R.C. § 2305.07 (official)
- Corroborating FindLaw — Ohio Revised Code § 2305.07
- Corroborating Justia — Ohio Revised Code § 2305.07
- 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 Ohio attorney.