Defamation Laws in North Dakota

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

Short answer: In North Dakota, a lawsuit for libel or slander must be filed within two years after the claim accrues; the same two-year limit applies to both. N.D.C.C. § 28-01-18(1)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)	In North Dakota, a lawsuit for libel or slander must be filed within two years after the claim accrues; the same two-year limit applies to both. Source: N.D.C.C. § 28-01-18(1)
Retraction (correction) rules	Yes. North Dakota's Uniform Correction or Clarification of Defamation Act applies to all publications (print, broadcast, oral, electronic). A person may sue for defamation only after making a timely and adequate written request for correction or clarification (or if the defendant already corrected); a person who does not make a good-faith request within 90 days after learning of the publication can recover only provable economic loss. If the defendant publishes a timely (within 45 days of the request) and sufficient correction or clarification, the plaintiff may recover only provable economic loss, as mitigated by the correction. The older newspaper retraction section, § 14-02-08, was repealed by S.L. 1995, ch. 332. Source: N.D.C.C. §§ 32-43-02, 32-43-03, 32-43-05, 32-43-06

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)

In North Dakota, a lawsuit for libel or slander must be filed within two years after the claim accrues; the same two-year limit applies to both.

Source: N.D.C.C. § 28-01-18(1)

Retraction (correction) rules

Yes. North Dakota's Uniform Correction or Clarification of Defamation Act applies to all publications (print, broadcast, oral, electronic). A person may sue for defamation only after making a timely and adequate written request for correction or clarification (or if the defendant already corrected); a person who does not make a good-faith request within 90 days after learning of the publication can recover only provable economic loss. If the defendant publishes a timely (within 45 days of the request) and sufficient correction or clarification, the plaintiff may recover only provable economic loss, as mitigated by the correction.

The older newspaper retraction section, § 14-02-08, was repealed by S.L. 1995, ch. 332.

Source: N.D.C.C. §§ 32-43-02, 32-43-03, 32-43-05, 32-43-06

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FAQ

How long do you have to sue for defamation in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, a lawsuit for libel or slander must be filed within two years after the claim accrues; the same two-year limit applies to both.

Does North Dakota have a defamation retraction law?

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.