Defamation Statute of Limitations
Claims for libel or slander — often one of the shortest deadlines, and highly sensitive to the date of publication.
Shortest
1
years, sourced states
Most Common
1
years, sourced states
Longest
3
years, sourced states
Figures reflect only the states sourced so far — they are not a national range until every jurisdiction is on file.
Filing window by state
State
Time Limit
Citation
What Does Defamation Cover?
01
False statements published in print or online
02
Slanderous statements made verbally
03
Statements harming professional reputation
04
False light or malicious falsehood claims
Rules That Affect Your Deadline
Factors that can change when the clock starts or how much time you actually have.
01
Single publication rule
The clock starts at first publication, even if the statement stays online.
02
Short window
Defamation carries one of the shortest deadlines of any claim type.
03
Republication exception
A substantially edited or re-issued statement can restart the clock.
Most Searched States for Defamation
Common Questions About Defamation Deadlines
What is the statute of limitations for defamation?
It depends on the state. Across the 48 jurisdictions with a verified figure, the deadline for defamation ranges from 1 year to 3 years, and 1 year is the most common.
Which state has the shortest statute of limitations for defamation?
Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois and 19 others — 1 year.
Which state has the longest statute of limitations for defamation?
Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and 1 others — 3 years.
Can the statute of limitations for defamation be extended?
Sometimes. Common factors that change the deadline include: single publication rule; short window; republication exception. How they apply varies by state.
Explore Other Case Types
See every claim type charted for Florida with full citations and notes.
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