How long you have in Idaho
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.
| Kind of claim | Agreement | Window | Counted from | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unpaid Invoice | In writing | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-216 |
| Unpaid Loan | In writing | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-216 |
| Contractor Dispute | In writing | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-216 |
| Auto Repair | In writing | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-216 |
| Security Deposit | In writing | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-216 |
| Other | In writing | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-216 |
| Unpaid Invoice | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-217 |
| Unpaid Loan | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-217 |
| Contractor Dispute | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-217 |
| Auto Repair | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-217 |
| Security Deposit | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-217 |
| Other | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §5-217 |
| Property Damage | Either | 3 years | the day the damage happened | Idaho Code §5-218(3) |
| Sale of Goods | Either | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Idaho Code §28-2-725(1) |
Worked example
If the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken was 2026-03-15, a window of 5 years runs out on 2031-03-15. That is the same arithmetic the check uses: calendar months, clamped to the end of the month, and no roll forward to the next court day.
More about Idaho
Common questions
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Idaho?
- The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Idaho Code §5-218(3). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- How long do you have on a property damage claim in Idaho?
- 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Idaho Code §5-218(3).
- How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Idaho?
- 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Idaho Code §28-2-725(1).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Idaho?
- An individual can claim up to $15,000. A business can claim up to $15,000. A public agency can claim up to $15,000. That comes from Idaho Code §1-2301.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Idaho's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-07-01.
- Idaho Code §5-216 · effective 1939-07-01 · A claim based on a written agreement must be filed within five years of when it was broken.
- Idaho Code §5-217 · effective 1881-06-01 · A claim based on a spoken agreement must be filed within four years of when it was broken.
- Idaho Code §5-218(3) · effective 1974-07-01 · A claim for damage to your belongings or vehicle must be filed within three years of the damage.
- Idaho Code §28-2-725(1) · effective 1968-01-01 · A claim about a sale of goods must be filed within four years of the breach.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.