Alaska Civil Statute of Limitations Laws

By Samuel Strom, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed June 03, 2025

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To file a civil lawsuit in the state of Alaska, you must submit it to the court within the applicable statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a time limit to file a civil or criminal case. If you fail to file your claim within the applicable limitations period, the court cannot adjudicate it.

The "clock" to file a lawsuit usually begins ticking when the claim accrues, which means when the plaintiff has a legal cause of action, but not always. The accrual of a claim may arise at several different points, depending on the circumstances. Most claims accrue at one of the following times:

  • On the date of injury (e.g., a personal injury, breach of contract, etc.)
  • When the plaintiff discovers (or should have reasonably discovered) the harm giving rise to the cause of action, also known as the "discovery rule"
  • When the plaintiff has a right to demand performance by another party

The statutes of limitations for civil cases and procedures in Alaska range from one to 10 years. Personal injury and defamation claims carry a two-year time limit, while fraud and collecting judgments both have a 10-year limit.

This article provides an overview of Alaska's statute of limitations laws. It begins with a table outlining the limitation periods for several types of civil claims. Information about the state's statute of limitations laws for criminal cases is provided before it concludes with a list of related resources.

Alaska Civil Statute of Limitations: At a Glance

The following chart lists Alaska's statute of limitations laws for various civil claims. Visit the links in the table or the Related Resources section below for more information.

Alaska Civil Statute of Limitations Code Sections

Alaska Stat., Title 9, Code of Civil Procedure §§ 09.10.010 - 09.10.240

One-Year Civil Statutes of Limitations in Alaska

Lawsuits against a construction Professional (One year after the discovery of the defect; must begin lawsuit within 10 years of completion of work.) (§ 09.10.054(a))

Two-Year Civil Statutes of Limitations in Alaska
  • Assault and battery (tort)
  • False imprisonment
  • Forfeiture or State Penalty
  • Injury to Personal Property
  • Libel or Slander
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Personal Injury or Death

(§ 09.10.070(a))

Three-Year Civil Statutes of Limitations in Alaska

Contract actions (§ 09.10.053)

Six-Year Civil Statutes of Limitations in Alaska

Trespass (§ 09.10.050)

10-Year Civil Statutes of Limitations in Alaska

Alaska Civil Statutes of Limitations - Statute of Repose

Unless the statute provides otherwise, a plaintiff may not file a lawsuit for harm caused more than 10 years earlier. The statute of repose applies to both civil and criminal cases.

If more than 10 years have passed since the moment of the issue under dispute occurred, the statute of repose bars filing a lawsuit.

The statute of repose does not apply to legal actions that do not have a statute of limitations, such as those for certain serious crimes.

Note: State laws may change at any time through the enactment of newly signed legislation, precedent-setting higher court decisions, and other means. Contact an Alaska civil litigation attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Criminal Law

Crimes also have statutes of limitations. If a prosecutor fails to file criminal charges against a defendant within the time limit, they cannot prosecute the defendant.

Not all crimes have an applicable statute of limitations. The following crimes have no statute of limitations:

Any victim of a crime listed above may press criminal charges against the alleged defendant without fear of violating the statute of limitations.

Alaska Civil Statute of Limitations: Related Resources

The following links provide information related to Alaska's statute of limitations laws and civil claims:

Visit FindLaw's State Statutes of Limitations article for more information about other states' time limits for filing lawsuits.

Learn More About Alaska Civil Statute of Limitations Laws From a Lawyer

The applicable civil statute of limitations for your case will depend on the facts and civil actions you choose to file. Contact an Alaska attorney for specific legal advice about applicable limitations of actions and ensure you're aware of the period of time in which you must file your claim. An experienced civil litigation attorney can provide guidance on how to proceed with your case and information about other legal topics, such as:

  • Relevant case law concerning your legal issue
  • Situations that may toll the statute of limitations
  • Criminal penalties for misdemeanor or felony criminal charges for pending sexual offenses

If you have a potential legal claim, contact an Alaskan civil litigation attorney to get started. If someone has sued you, contact a criminal defense attorney or litigation attorney to get started on a defense strategy.

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