Defamation Laws in Texas

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

Short answer: In Texas you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year after the claim arises. The same one-year deadline applies to both written and spoken defamation. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.002(a)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)	In Texas you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year after the claim arises. The same one-year deadline applies to both written and spoken defamation. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.002(a)
Retraction (correction) rules	Yes. Under the Texas Defamation Mitigation Act, a person may sue for defamation only if they made a timely and sufficient written request for a correction, clarification or retraction, or the defendant already made one. The request is timely if made within the limitations period, but if it is not made within 90 days after learning of the publication, the person cannot recover exemplary (punitive) damages. The request must be served on the publisher, signed, and identify the statement and why it is defamatory. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 73.055

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)

In Texas you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year after the claim arises. The same one-year deadline applies to both written and spoken defamation.

Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.002(a)

Retraction (correction) rules

Yes. Under the Texas Defamation Mitigation Act, a person may sue for defamation only if they made a timely and sufficient written request for a correction, clarification or retraction, or the defendant already made one. The request is timely if made within the limitations period, but if it is not made within 90 days after learning of the publication, the person cannot recover exemplary (punitive) damages. The request must be served on the publisher, signed, and identify the statement and why it is defamatory.

Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 73.055

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FAQ

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Texas?

In Texas you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year after the claim arises. The same one-year deadline applies to both written and spoken defamation.

Does Texas 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.