Defamation Laws in Utah

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

Short answer: In Utah you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year. The same one-year deadline applies to written and spoken defamation. Utah Code § 78B-2-302(4)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)	In Utah you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year. The same one-year deadline applies to written and spoken defamation. Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-302(4)
Retraction (correction) rules	Yes. Utah limits damages when a newspaper or in-state radio or TV broadcaster publishes a full and fair retraction. If a newspaper libel was published in good faith by mistake and the paper prints the retraction in the same type and position in its next regular issue (within three days for a daily) after the injured person serves written notice at its principal office, the plaintiff can recover only actual damages; broadcasters get the same limit if they air the retraction on the same station at about the same time of day within three days. Special, shorter timing rules apply to statements about election candidates. Source: Utah Code §§ 45-2-1, 45-2-1.5

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)

In Utah you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year. The same one-year deadline applies to written and spoken defamation.

Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-302(4)

Retraction (correction) rules

Yes. Utah limits damages when a newspaper or in-state radio or TV broadcaster publishes a full and fair retraction. If a newspaper libel was published in good faith by mistake and the paper prints the retraction in the same type and position in its next regular issue (within three days for a daily) after the injured person serves written notice at its principal office, the plaintiff can recover only actual damages; broadcasters get the same limit if they air the retraction on the same station at about the same time of day within three days. Special, shorter timing rules apply to statements about election candidates.

Source: Utah Code §§ 45-2-1, 45-2-1.5

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FAQ

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

In Utah you must sue for libel or slander (defamation) within one year. The same one-year deadline applies to written and spoken defamation.

Does Utah 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.