How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in District of Columbia
The deadline to answer a debt lawsuit in District of Columbia, where to file, and what happens if you don't respond.
Short answer: 3 years. Any lawsuit to collect a consumer debt filed on or after September 1, 2021 must be started within 3 years after the claim accrues, whether it is based on a written contract, account stated, open account or any other theory, and even for contracts under seal. D.C. Code § 28-3814(o); § 12-301(7)
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 3 years. Any lawsuit to collect a consumer debt filed on or after September 1, 2021 must be started within 3 years after the claim accrues, whether it is based on a written contract, account stated, open account or any other theory, and even for contracts under seal. Other simple contracts also have 3 years. § 12-301: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/12-301 Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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| How long a judgment lasts | A money judgment of the Superior Court or the federal District Court, when filed and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, can be enforced for 12 years from when execution could first issue or from the last order reviving it. When the 12-year period ends without revival, the judgment has no further effect. The revival procedure (D.C. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 15-101 |
Where to get help in District of Columbia
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Office of Consumer Protection
- File a complaint or claim
More District of Columbia debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in District of Columbia
- Wage Garnishment in District of Columbia
- What Creditors Can't Take in District of Columbia
- Medical Debt Protections in District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia debt & collections rules
FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in District of Columbia?
3 years. Any lawsuit to collect a consumer debt filed on or after September 1, 2021 must be started within 3 years after the claim accrues, whether it is based on a written contract, account stated, open account or any other theory, and even for contracts under seal. Other simple contracts also have 3 years.
How long does a court judgment last in District of Columbia?
A money judgment of the Superior Court or the federal District Court, when filed and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, can be enforced for 12 years from when execution could first issue or from the last order reviving it. When the 12-year period ends without revival, the judgment has no further effect.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.