Written Contract · Statute of Limitations
Deadline to Sue Over a Contract in Washington
How long you have to sue over a broken written contract in Washington, the statute of limitations, plus when the clock starts, the shorter deadline for oral contracts, and the four-year UCC rule for a sale of goods. Cited to the statute.
How the deadline works in Washington
When the clock starts, whether a discovery rule can delay it, and the deadlines that differ for oral contracts and a sale of goods.
| How the clock works | In Washington | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deadline | 6 years | The general limitations period to file a written-contract claim. |
| Statute | RCW 4.16.040 | The controlling statute for the limitations period. Read the full text through the source link below. |
When it starts
The six years generally runs from when the breach occurs, when you have the right to seek relief. Washington measures from accrual at breach for ordinary contracts, so a breach found late usually does not restart the clock unless a specific rule applies.
Discovery rule Yes
Limited. Washington applies a discovery rule to some claims, delaying accrual until the plaintiff knew or should have known the facts, but for an ordinary written contract the default is accrual at breach. Treat delayed discovery as a fact-specific exception rather than the general rule.
Statute of repose: None
No general statute of repose for ordinary written contracts. The six-year period runs from breach or accrual. Construction and improvement claims carry a separate outer limit under RCW 4.16.310, but that is not the general RCW 4.16.040 contract clock.
| Deadlines that can differ | Period | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Oral or unwritten contract | 3 years | An oral contract, and a contract not in writing, gets only three years under RCW 4.16.080(3), half the written period. Whether an agreement counts as written can therefore decide the deadline, which is the biggest trap in Washington. |
| Sale of goods (UCC) | 4 years | A contract for the sale of goods runs on RCW 62A.2-725: four years from when the breach occurs, with warranty claims accruing at delivery regardless of your knowledge. Parties may agree to shorten it to no less than one year but may not extend it. |
| Written contract versus account | 6 years or 3 years | A written contract gets six years, but an open account or a contract not reduced to a signed writing may fall to three. Confirm you actually hold a written agreement before you rely on six years. |
What you can do right now
Concrete, neutral steps if a contract was broken in Washington and the clock is running. This is legal information, not legal advice.
- Confirm the contract is written
Washington gives a written contract six years under RCW 4.16.040, but an oral one only three under RCW 4.16.080(3). Confirm you have a written agreement before you rely on the longer period.
- Fix the breach date
Write down when the other side broke the agreement. The six years generally runs from that breach, not from when you found out, so the calendar starts earlier than many people expect.
- If goods were sold, check the UCC clock
A sale of goods runs on RCW 62A.2-725, a separate four-year rule that accrues at delivery for warranty claims. Confirm whether your deal is a sale of goods rather than a services or general contract.
- Talk to a Washington attorney before the deadline
Whether your contract is written, and when it accrued, decide whether six or three years applies. A licensed Washington attorney can confirm your exact deadline before it runs.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines turn on the specific facts of your case, and exceptions cut both ways, so confirm your date with a licensed attorney before relying on it.
What Washington contract claimants get wrong
The costly mistake in Washington is treating an oral deal like a written one. A written contract gives you six years under RCW 4.16.040, but an oral or unwritten agreement gives you only three under RCW 4.16.080(3). Whether your deal was reduced to a signed writing can therefore decide whether your claim is alive or dead, so the paper trail matters. The clock generally starts at the breach, when you first have the right to seek relief, not the day you discovered the loss. Washington applies a discovery rule to some claims, but for an ordinary written contract the default is accrual at breach, so do not assume a late-found breach resets six years. One more clock to watch: a sale of goods runs on the four-year UCC period in RCW 62A.2-725, separate from RCW 4.16.040. If your deadline is close, pin down the breach date and confirm the form of the contract before you count on six years.
Common questions
What is the statute of limitations on a written contract in Washington?
Six years from the breach, under RCW 4.16.040, for an action upon a written contract or a liability arising out of a written agreement. The clock generally runs from when the contract was broken, not from when you discovered it.
How long do I have to sue on an oral contract in Washington?
Three years, under RCW 4.16.080(3), half the written-contract period. Because the gap is large, whether your agreement counts as written or oral can decide whether your claim is still timely.
Does the six years start at the breach or when I found out?
Usually at the breach. Washington applies a discovery rule to some claims, but for an ordinary written contract the default is that the six years runs from the breach itself, not from discovery.
Is a contract to buy goods still six years in Washington?
No. A sale of goods is governed by RCW 62A.2-725, a four-year UCC period that accrues at delivery for warranty claims regardless of your knowledge. Parties can shorten it to no less than one year but cannot extend it.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.