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Arizona Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Arizona under A.R.S. tit. 12, ch. 5 — two years for injury and property claims, and a 180-day notice of claim that ends more cases against public entities than the limitations period does.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026
Claim Types
12
claim types tracked
Filing Range
1–6
year filing range
Govt. Notice
0.5
yrs to notify govt.
1 of these entries are marked “Unverified.” They have been added to the register but not yet checked line-by-line against the current statute text. Treat those figures as a starting point only, and confirm the citation at its official source before relying on it.
2 YEARS
Personal Injury
Two years after the cause of action accrues, for injuries done to the person of another.
A.R.S. § 12-542(1) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Medical Malpractice
Two years, on the same clock as ordinary personal injury. Arizona names medical malpractice expressly in the general two-year section rather than giving it a dedicated statute.
A.R.S. § 12-542(1) ✓ Verified
6 YEARS
Written Contract
Six years for an action for debt where the indebtedness is evidenced by or founded on a written contract.
A.R.S. § 12-548(A) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Property Damage
Two years for taking, carrying away, detaining, or converting personal property.
A.R.S. § 12-542(4) ✓ Verified
1 YEARS
Defamation
One year for libel or slander.
A.R.S. § 12-541(1) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Product Liability
Two years under the general injury period, subject to the product liability provisions of § 12-551.
A.R.S. §§ 12-542, 12-551 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Wrongful Death
Two years, accruing at the death of the injured party rather than at the underlying injury.
A.R.S. § 12-542(2) ✓ Verified
3 YEARS
Fraud
Three years, with the cause of action generally not accruing until discovery of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake.
A.R.S. § 12-543(3) ✓ Verified
3 YEARS
Breach of Oral Contract
Three years for a debt where the indebtedness is not evidenced by a written contract.
A.R.S. § 12-543(1) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Legal Malpractice
Two years, generally running from when the client discovered or should have discovered the injury and its cause.
A.R.S. § 12-542(1) Unverified
2 YEARS
Assault & Battery
Two years, under the general personal-injury period. Note that false imprisonment and malicious prosecution get only one year under § 12-541.
A.R.S. § 12-542(1) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Trespass to Land
Two years for trespass causing injury to the estate or property of another.
A.R.S. § 12-542(3) ✓ Verified
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Legal Forms
0.5
years
Government claims notice
Notice of claim within 180 days; suit within 1 year — A.R.S. §§ 12-821.01, 12-821 Section 12-821.01 requires a notice of claim to be filed with the public entity or employee within 180 days after the cause of action accrues, and the notice must state a specific amount for which the claim can be settled. Section 12-821 then cuts the filing period to one year rather than the usual two. Arizona courts enforce both requirements strictly, and the sum-certain requirement in the notice defeats a surprising number of otherwise valid claims.

Common Questions About Arizona Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Arizona?

It depends on the type of claim. Arizona filing deadlines range from 1 year to 6 years — for example, personal injury 2 years, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 2 years, defamation 1 year.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona?

2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(1). Two years after the cause of action accrues, for injuries done to the person of another. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Arizona?

2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(2). Two years, accruing at the death of the injured party rather than at the underlying injury. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Arizona?

2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(1). Two years, on the same clock as ordinary personal injury. Arizona names medical malpractice expressly in the general two-year section rather than giving it a dedicated statute. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Arizona?

6 years under A.R.S. § 12-548(A). Six years for an action for debt where the indebtedness is evidenced by or founded on a written contract. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Arizona?

1 year under A.R.S. § 12-541(1). One year for libel or slander. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Arizona?

2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(4). Two years for taking, carrying away, detaining, or converting personal property. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Arizona?

Often, yes. Notice of claim within 180 days; suit within 1 year under A.R.S. §§ 12-821.01, 12-821. This is usually much shorter than the ordinary deadline.

Know your rights — check the claim type that matches your situation, then confirm the deadline with a licensed attorney.
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