{"id":373336,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-24T11:02:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T16:02:59","slug":"iowa-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Iowa Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

State statutes of limitations set deadlines for plaintiffs and prosecutors to file cases. Criminal statutes<\/a> set limitations periods for prosecutors to file criminal charges against defendants. This protects a defendant’s civil right to a speedy trial.<\/p>\r\n

Civil statutes of limitations<\/a> ensure plaintiffs bring civil cases in a reasonable amount of time. In Iowa, plaintiffs in personal injury cases have two years to file a legal claim. This keeps potential defendants from having legal action hanging over their heads. It ensures the injured party files a claim while the evidence is available and witness memories are fresh.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal statutes of limitation put limits on prosecutors. They must file criminal cases within a certain period of time after the commission of a crime. A few types of crimes, such as murder and sexual assault<\/a>, have no time limits.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of the civil statutes of limitations in Iowa. If you need help filing a civil lawsuit in Iowa, hire an attorney<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa Statutes of Limitation<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The chart below lists the details of Iowa’s civil statutes of limitations. See Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations<\/a> for more general information.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code section<\/th>\r\n

Iowa Code Annotated (I.C.A.) \u00a7 614 et seq.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Two years

(I.C.A. \u00a7 614.1(2))<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Personal injury<\/li>\r\n
  • Libel\/slander<\/li>\r\n
  • Non-payment of wages<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Five years

(I.C.A. \u00a7 614.1(4))<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Six years

(I.C.A. \u00a7 614.1(9))<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Professional malpractice<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

10 years

(I.C.A. \u00a7 614.1(5))<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Written contracts<\/li>\r\n
  • Judgments in court not of record<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
20 years

(I.C.A. \u00a7 614.1(6))<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Judgments in court of record<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws before making any legal decisions.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Tolling and the Discovery Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In some cases, plaintiffs may not discover an injury until after the statute of limitations has run out. For instance, toxic exposure may not cause an illness or wrongful death until many years later. The discovery rule<\/a> extends the statute until a plaintiff discovers the harm and can file an injury claim based on the cause.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling is a suspension of the statute<\/a> for those who can’t file claims on their own behalf. Iowa law tolls civil statutes for:<\/p>\r\n