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Defamation Laws in Arizona

How long you have to sue for libel or slander in Arizona, and any retraction rules, from the state code.

Short answer: In Arizona you must sue within one year after the cause of action accrues for injuries done to a person's character or reputation by libel or slander. The same one-year deadline applies to both libel and slander. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-541(1)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)In Arizona you must sue within one year after the cause of action accrues for injuries done to a person's character or reputation by libel or slander. The same one-year deadline applies to both libel and slander.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-541(1)
Retraction (correction) rulesArizona has a correction (retraction) law for libel in a newspaper or magazine and slander on radio or TV. To recover more than special (provable money) damages, the plaintiff must serve a written notice on the publisher or broadcaster within 20 days after learning of the statement, identifying the statements and demanding a correction, unless the plaintiff proves actual malice. If the outlet fails to publish or broadcast a correction substantially as conspicuous as the original, in a regular issue or broadcast within three weeks after service, the plaintiff may recover general, special and exemplary damages; exemplary damages still require proof of actual malice.
Correction: https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00653-03.htm.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 12-653.02, 12-653.03

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FAQ

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Arizona?
In Arizona you must sue within one year after the cause of action accrues for injuries done to a person's character or reputation by libel or slander. The same one-year deadline applies to both libel and slander.
Does Arizona have a defamation retraction law?
Arizona has a correction (retraction) law for libel in a newspaper or magazine and slander on radio or TV. To recover more than special (provable money) damages, the plaintiff must serve a written notice on the publisher or broadcaster within 20 days after learning of the statement, identifying the statements and demanding a correction, unless the plaintiff proves actual malice. If the outlet fails to publish or broadcast a correction substantially as conspicuous as the original, in a regular issue or broadcast within three weeks after service, the plaintiff may recover general, special and exemplary damages; exemplary damages still require proof of actual malice.

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

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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.