General limitation period for civil actions against the United States
Under 28 U.S.C. 2401(a), every civil action against the United States is barred unless the complaint is filed within 6 years after the right of action first accrues. Enter the accrual date.
- 28 U.S.C. 2401(a)
- FRCP 6(a)
Find your filing deadline
Civil actions against the United States.
When the claimant could first sue.
Holidays and court closures
Federal holidays under 5 U.S.C. 6103 are always skipped, including the observed weekday when a holiday falls on a weekend.
For weather or emergency closures. Check the court's notice to confirm it extends deadlines.
How the deadline is counted
- Find the accrual date. A claim usually accrues when the plaintiff has a complete cause of action.
- Add 6 years.
- Move past closed days. Rule 6(a) applies to statutes that do not set their own method of computing time, so a weekend or holiday moves the date to the next day.
Worked examples
| Example | Accrued | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued July 4, 2020 | Sat, Jul 4, 2020 | Mon, Jul 6, 2026 |
| Accrued in spring 2021 | Wed, Apr 14, 2021 | Wed, Apr 14, 2027 |
Tort claims are different. Claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act follow 28 U.S.C. 2401(b): an administrative claim within 2 years after accrual, then suit within 6 months after the agency mails its denial. Claims for money in the Court of Federal Claims follow 28 U.S.C. 2501. For challenges to agency action, the Supreme Court held in Corner Post v. Board of Governors (2024) that the claim accrues when the plaintiff is injured.
Common questions
How long do I have to sue the federal government?
Generally 6 years after the right of action first accrues under 28 U.S.C. 2401(a), but tort and Court of Federal Claims cases follow different rules.
Is the period tolled for disability?
Section 2401(a) allows a person under legal disability or beyond the seas at accrual to sue within 3 years after the disability ends.
Does Rule 6(a) apply to this statute?
Rule 6(a) applies to any statute that does not specify a method of computing time.
Sources
- 28 U.S.C. 2401
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 6(a)
Rules last checked October 2026. This calculator does not give legal advice. Confirm the date against the rule and any order in your case.