Statute of limitations for breach of oral contract in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania generally gives four years for many contract and obligation actions, including express contracts not founded on a writing, contracts implied in law, negotiable or nonnegotiable instruments, and obligations founded on a writing. A specific UCC, judgment, bond, mortgage, or consumer-debt rule can change the analysis for a particular oral or implied contract dispute.

SoL period

4 years

From the date the cause of action accrues

Compute your deadline

Filing deadline

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Where this rule comes from

Statute

42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)

"The listed contract and obligation actions must be commenced within 4 years."

Read the full statute Last verified May 7, 2026 by Juryvine Editorial

Frequently asked

What is the statute of limitations for breach of oral contract in Pennsylvania?: 4 years from the date the cause of action accrues. Authority: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a).

Breach of Oral Contract statute by state

California 2 years Florida 4 years Illinois 5 years New York 6 years Texas 4 years

Other Pennsylvania statutes of limitations

Personal Injury 2 years Medical Malpractice 2 years Wrongful Death 2 years Breach of Written Contract 4 years Fraud 2 years Civil Rights — 42 U.S.C. § 1983 2 years Premises Liability 2 years Product Liability 2 years

Not legal advice. Statutes of limitations are governed by complex doctrine with many exceptions. Use this page as a starting point and verify with an attorney before relying on any deadline. Juryvine is not a law firm and does not represent clients.