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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>84675</law_id><section_number>8.3A-118</section_number><catch_line>Statute of limitations</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>8.3A-118.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.3A">Commercial Code &#x2014; Negotiable Instruments</unit><unit label="part" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions and Definitions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="a"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> Except as provided in subsection (e), an action to enforce the obligation of a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to pay a note payable at a definite time must be commenced within six years after the due date or dates stated in the note or, if a due date is accelerated, within six years after the accelerated due date. <a id="paragraph-303483" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="b"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> Except as provided in subsection (d) or (e), if demand for payment is made to the maker of a note payable on demand, an action to enforce the obligation of a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to pay the note must be commenced within six years after the demand. If no demand for payment is made to the maker, an action to enforce the note is barred if neither principal nor interest on the note has been paid for a continuous period of ten years. <a id="paragraph-303484" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="c"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> Except as provided in subsection (d), an action to enforce the obligation of a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to an unaccepted draft to pay the draft must be commenced within three years after dishonor of the draft or ten years after the date of the draft, whichever period expires first. <a id="paragraph-303485" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="d"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> An action to enforce the obligation of the acceptor of a certified check or the issuer of a teller&#x2019;s check, cashier&#x2019;s check, or traveler&#x2019;s check must be commenced within three years after demand for payment is made to the acceptor or issuer, as the case may be. <a id="paragraph-303486" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="e"><p><span class="prefix-number">e.</span> An action to enforce the obligation of a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to a certificate of deposit to pay the instrument must be commenced within six years after demand for payment is made to the maker, but if the instrument states a due date and the maker is not required to pay before that date, the six-year period begins when a demand for payment is in effect and the due date has passed. <a id="paragraph-303487" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#e"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="f"><p><span class="prefix-number">f.</span> An action to enforce the obligation of a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to pay an accepted draft, other than a certified check, must be commenced (i) within six years after the due date or dates stated in the draft or acceptance if the obligation of the acceptor is payable at a definite time, or (ii) within six years after the date of the acceptance if the obligation of the acceptor is payable on demand. <a id="paragraph-303488" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#f"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="g"><p><span class="prefix-number">g.</span> Unless governed by other <span class="dictionary">law</span> regarding claims for indemnity or contribution, an action (i) for conversion of an instrument, for money had and received, or like action based on conversion, (ii) for breach of warranty, or (iii) to enforce an obligation, duty, or right arising under this title and not governed by this section must be commenced within three years after the <span class="dictionary">cause of action</span> accrues. <a id="paragraph-303489" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#g"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="h"><p><span class="prefix-number">h.</span> Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Personal actions based on contracts" href="/8.01-246/">8.01-246</a>, this section shall apply to negotiable and non-negotiable notes and certificates of deposit. <a id="paragraph-303490" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-118/#h"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1992, c. 693; 2017, cc. 83, 640.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
