How long you have in Ohio
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 | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 |
| Unpaid Loan | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 |
| Contractor Dispute | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 |
| Auto Repair | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 |
| Security Deposit | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 |
| Other | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 |
| Unpaid Invoice | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) |
| Unpaid Loan | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) |
| Contractor Dispute | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) |
| Auto Repair | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) |
| Security Deposit | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) |
| Other | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) |
| Property Damage | Either | 2 years | the day the damage happened | Ohio Rev. Code §2305.10(A) |
| Sale of Goods | Either | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ohio Rev. Code §1302.98(A) |
Worked example
If the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken was 2026-03-15, a window of 6 years runs out on 2032-03-15. 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 Ohio
Common questions
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Ohio?
- The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Ohio Rev. Code §2305.10(A). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- How long do you have on a property damage claim in Ohio?
- 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Ohio Rev. Code §2305.10(A).
- How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Ohio?
- 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Ohio Rev. Code §1302.98(A).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Ohio?
- An individual can claim up to $6,000. A business can claim up to $6,000. A public agency can claim up to $6,000. That comes from Ohio Rev. Code §1925.02(A)(1).
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Ohio'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 2025-11-25.
- Ohio Rev. Code §2305.06 · effective 2021-06-16 · A claim based on a written agreement must be filed within six years of when it was broken.
- Ohio Rev. Code §2305.07(A) · effective 2021-06-16 · A claim based on a spoken or implied agreement must be filed within four years of when it was broken.
- Ohio Rev. Code §2305.10(A) · effective 2006-08-03 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within two years of the damage. Some property claims have a four-year window, but this tool uses the shorter one.
- Ohio Rev. Code §1302.98(A) · effective 1962-07-01 · 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.