Defamation Statute of Limitations in Missouri
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of publication of the defamatory statement; Missouri case law suggests the clock may start when damages are ascertained, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140.
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Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140, you have 2 years from Date of publication of the defamatory statement; Missouri case law suggests the clock may start when damages are ascertained to file a defamation lawsuit in Missouri. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Missouri-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Missouri Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Defamation | 2 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 |
| Car Accident | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Credit Card Debt | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | RSMo § 516.105 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.080; § 537.090; § 537.100 |
| Personal Injury | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Dog Bite | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
| Slip and Fall | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.110 |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | RSMo § 516.120 |
When the Clock Starts
In Missouri, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date of publication of the defamatory statement; Missouri case law suggests the clock may start when damages are ascertained. Missouri recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Missouri case law (Thurston v. Ballinger, 884 S.W.2d 22) holds that the limitations period for slander begins to run when damages are ascertained, not necessarily at the date of the defamatory statement. The statute itself uses accrual language but courts have applied a functional discovery standard.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- 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.
- Government-claim trap: Missouri Sovereign Immunity Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 537.600 et seq.) applies to claims against government entities; no separate advance notice filing required before lawsuit but sovereign immunity defenses apply.
Statute text: 'Within two years: an action for libel, slander, injurious falsehood, assault, battery, false imprisonment, criminal conversation, malicious prosecution or actions brought under section 290.140.' Last amended August 28, 2014 (H.B. 1231). Missouri also covers 'injurious falsehood' within the same 2-year period.
Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140, official Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 2 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 |
| Iowa | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Illinois | 1 yr | 735 ILCS 5/13-201 |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | KRS § 413.140(1)(d) |
| Tennessee | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| Arkansas | 3 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105(5) (libel, 3 yr); § 16-56-104(3) (slander, 1 yr) |
| Oklahoma | 1 yr | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(4) |
| Kansas | 1 yr | K.S.A. § 60-514(a) |
| Nebraska | 1 yr | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Missouri?
You have 2 years from Date of publication of the defamatory statement; Missouri case law suggests the clock may start when damages are ascertained, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Missouri?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to defamation and libel claims in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri case law (Thurston v. Ballinger, 884 S.W.2d 22) holds that the limitations period for slander begins to run when damages are ascertained, not necessarily at the date of the defamatory statement. The statute itself uses accrual language but courts have applied a functional discovery standard.
What if the victim was a minor?
Missouri generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Missouri Sovereign Immunity Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 537.600 et seq.) applies to claims against government entities; no separate advance notice filing required before lawsuit but sovereign immunity defenses apply.
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Sources
- Official Missouri Revisor of Statutes — RSMo § 516.140 Actions limited to two years
- Corroborating Justia — Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.140 Actions limited to two years
- Corroborating Cornell LII — Statute of Limitations overview
- 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 Missouri attorney.