28 USC § 2462 - Time for commencing proceedings

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t28/s2462"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "28 USC § 2462 - Time for commencing proceedings"
title_number: 28
title_name: "JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "2462"
section_name: "Time for commencing proceedings"
chapter_number: 163
chapter_name: "FINES, PENALTIES AND FORFEITURES"
part_number: "VI"
part_name: "PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 974.)"
---


# § 2462. Time for commencing proceedings

Except as otherwise provided by Act of Congress, an action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any civil fine, penalty, or forfeiture, pecuniary or otherwise, shall not be entertained unless commenced within five years from the date when the claim first accrued if, within the same period, the offender or the property is found within the United States in order that proper service may be made thereon.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 974.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 791 (R.S. § 1047).

Changes were made in phraseology.