How long you have in Oregon
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 | Window | Counted from | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unpaid Invoice | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Unpaid Loan | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Contractor Dispute | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Auto Repair | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Security Deposit | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Other | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Property Damage | 2 years | the day the damage happened | ORS 12.110(1) |
| Sale of Goods | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | ORS 72.7250(1) |
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 Oregon
Common questions
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Oregon?
- The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under ORS 12.110(1). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- How long do you have on a property damage claim in Oregon?
- 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under ORS 12.110(1).
- How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Oregon?
- 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under ORS 72.7250(1).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Oregon?
- In the Circuit Court, Small Claims Department, an individual can claim up to $10,000. In the Circuit Court, Small Claims Department, a business can claim up to $10,000. In the Circuit Court, Small Claims Department, a public agency can claim up to $10,000. In the Justice Court, Small Claims Department, an individual can claim up to $10,000. In the Justice Court, Small Claims Department, a business can claim up to $10,000. In the Justice Court, Small Claims Department, a public agency can claim up to $10,000. That comes from ORS 46.405(3), ORS 52.750(3).
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Oregon'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 2020-01-01.
- ORS 12.080(1) · effective 1991-09-29 · A claim based on an agreement, written or spoken, must be filed within six years of when it was broken.
- ORS 12.110(1) · effective 1987-09-27 · A claim for harm caused by someone's carelessness must be filed within two years. Damage to personal property can have a six-year window under ORS 12.080, but this tool uses the shorter one.
- ORS 72.7250(1) · effective 1963-09-01 · 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.