Time Limits to File a Defamation Lawsuit: State Statutes of Limitation
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated December 07, 2018
An individual’s reputation is important. Any harm or shame to an individual reputation could have emotional and financial consequences, especially if the individual is a public figure. Naturally, individuals take defamation very seriously. Defamation is any false speech that causes harm to an individual’s reputation. The false speech has to be a statement of fact rather than opinion.
For example, “John Doe is an unfair police officer” is opinion because unfair is subjective standard. On the other hand, a statement of “John Doe is often drunk on the job” is more fact based. If the statement was false, the speaker could potentially face a defamation action. Like most injury claims, defamation claims are often subject to time limits known as statutes of limitations. The following list provides each state’s statute of limitations on defamation causes of actions.
| ALABAMA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| ALASKA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| ARIZONA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| ARKANSAS | A one-year statute of limitation applies to slanders actions, while a three-year statute of limitation applies to libel actions. |
| CALIFORNIA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| COLORADO | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| CONNECTICUT | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| DELAWARE | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| FLORIDA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| GEORGIA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| HAWAII | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| IDAHO | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| ILLINOIS | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| INDIANA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| IOWA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| KANSAS | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| KENTUCKY | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| LOUISIANA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MAINE | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MARYLAND | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MASSACHUSETTS | A three-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MICHIGAN | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MINNESOTA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MISSISSIPPI | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MISSOURI | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| MONTANA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NEBRASKA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NEVADA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | A three-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NEW JERSEY | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NEW MEXICO | A three-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NEW YORK | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NORTH CAROLINA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| NORTH DAKOTA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| OHIO | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| OKLAHOMA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| OREGON | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| PENNSYLVANIA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| RHODE ISLAND | A one-year statute of limitation applies to slander actions. A three-year statute of limitation applies to libel actions. |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| SOUTH DAKOTA | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| TENNESSEE | A six-month statute of limitation applies to slander actions. A one-year statute of limitation applies to libel actions. |
| TEXAS | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| UTAH | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| VERMONT | A three-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| VIRGINIA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| WASHINGTON | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| WEST VIRGINIA | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| WISCONSIN | A two-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
| WYOMING | A one-year statute of limitation applies to defamation actions. |
Learn More About Defamation Laws
Defamation, whether it's through the written word or uttered out loud, can have serious and lasting effects on one's reputation and emotional well-being. But if you choose to file a civil claim for such as an act, you'll need to act within your state's statute of limitations. Don't delay -- speak with a local defamation attorney to learn more.
Next Steps
Contact a qualified personal injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected.