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South Dakota: debt time limits

How long a creditor or debt collector has to sue you over credit card debt, written and oral contracts, and promissory notes.

Credit cards and open accounts6 years
Written contracts6 years
Oral contracts6 years
Promissory notes6 years
LawSDCL 15-2-13

The clock usually starts at your last payment. In many states a new payment or a written promise to pay can restart it. Once the deadline passes a collector cannot win a lawsuit, but the debt can still appear on your credit report for up to 7 years. Federal student loans have no deadline.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in South Dakota.

How South Dakota compares

6 ranks 3 of 51 (1 = highest) for years to sue on credit card debt.

Lowest 3Highest 10

Alaska: 3 yearsAKMaine: 6 yearsMEVermont: 6 yearsVTNew Hampshire: 3 yearsNHWashington: 6 yearsWAIdaho: 5 yearsIDMontana: 5 yearsMTNorth Dakota: 6 yearsNDMinnesota: 6 yearsMNIllinois: 5 yearsILWisconsin: 6 yearsWIMichigan: 6 yearsMINew York: 3 yearsNYRhode Island: 10 yearsRIMassachusetts: 6 yearsMAOregon: 6 yearsORNevada: 4 yearsNVWyoming: 8 yearsWYSouth Dakota: 6 yearsSDIowa: 5 or 10 (courts have not settled it)IAIndiana: 6 yearsINOhio: 6 yearsOHPennsylvania: 4 yearsPANew Jersey: 6 yearsNJConnecticut: 6 yearsCTCalifornia: 4 yearsCAUtah: 4 or 6 (courts have not settled it)UTColorado: 6 yearsCONebraska: 4 yearsNEMissouri: 5 yearsMOKentucky: 5 yearsKYWest Virginia: 5 yearsWVVirginia: 3 yearsVAMaryland: 3 yearsMDDelaware: 3 yearsDEArizona: 6 yearsAZNew Mexico: 4 yearsNMKansas: 3 or 5 (courts have not settled it)KSArkansas: 5 yearsARTennessee: 6 yearsTNNorth Carolina: 3 yearsNCSouth Carolina: 3 yearsSCDistrict of Columbia: 3 yearsDCOklahoma: 3 yearsOKLouisiana: 3 yearsLAMississippi: 3 yearsMSAlabama: 3 yearsALGeorgia: 4 yearsGAHawaii: 6 yearsHITexas: 4 yearsTXFlorida: 4 yearsFL
  • 3 (14)
  • 4 (9)
  • 5 (8)
  • 6 (18)
  • 8 – 10 (2)

Also for South Dakota: Small claims limits in South Dakota · Claim deadlines in South Dakota · Car insurance by state in South Dakota · Final paycheck rules in South Dakota · Shared fault rules in South Dakota · Lemon law rules in South Dakota · Corporate tax rates in South Dakota · All South Dakota rules on one page

How we checked this

Periods come from a statute-cited 2026 law-firm chart and match two other 2026 consumer finance tables. Where courts have not settled how credit cards are classified, both periods are shown. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.