Oklahoma
Oklahoma Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 18, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 18, 2026. · 2 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Oklahoma law sets firm deadlines for civil lawsuits under Title 12, Section 95 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years, written contracts within 5 years, and oral contracts within 3 years. Missing a deadline permanently bars your claim.
Oklahoma's statute of limitations sets firm deadlines for filing both civil lawsuits and criminal charges. If you miss the window, you lose your right to bring the case. Understanding these deadlines is essential whether you are filing a personal injury claim, a breach of contract suit, or reporting a crime.
This guide covers every major civil and criminal filing deadline in Oklahoma, along with tolling exceptions that may extend your time.
Hurt in Oklahoma? If you are still within the deadline above, you can estimate what your injury claim may be worth with our free Oklahoma personal injury settlement calculator. It gives an instant range based on your medical costs and Oklahoma's fault rule (general information, not legal advice).
Oklahoma Civil Statute of Limitations
Oklahoma's civil filing deadlines are found mainly in Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The clock typically starts on the date of the injury or the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the harm.
If you do not file before the deadline expires, the defendant can ask the court to dismiss your case. Once dismissed on statute of limitations grounds, you cannot refile.
Personal Injury and Tort Claims
| Case Type | Time Limit | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(3) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years | Tit. 12 SS 1053 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(3) |
| Injury to Personal Property | 2 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(3) |
| Trespass on Real Property | 2 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(3) |
| Fraud | 2 years (from discovery) | Tit. 12 SS 95(3) |
| Defamation (Libel/Slander) | 1 year | Tit. 12 SS 95(4) |
| Assault and Battery | 1 year | Tit. 12 SS 95(4) |
| Malicious Prosecution | 1 year | Tit. 12 SS 95(4) |
| False Imprisonment | 1 year | Tit. 12 SS 95(4) |
Oklahoma applies the discovery rule to fraud cases. The 2-year clock does not start until you discover or reasonably should have discovered the fraud.
For wrongful death, the 2-year period begins on the date of the person's death, not the date of the act that caused it. The personal representative of the deceased person's estate must file the claim under Tit. 12 SS 1053.
Contract and Debt Claims
| Case Type | Time Limit | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Written Contracts | 5 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(1) |
| Oral Contracts | 3 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(2) |
| Debt Collection on Account | 3 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(A)(2) |
| Collection of Rents | 5 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(11) |
| Foreign Judgments | 3 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(2) |
| Official Bonds and Undertakings | 5 years | Tit. 12 SS 95 |
| Liability Created by Statute | 3 years | Tit. 12 SS 95(2) |
Court-ordered child support does not have a statute of limitations under Oklahoma law. The obligation remains until it is paid in full.
Real Property Claims
| Case Type | Time Limit | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery of Real Property (General) | 15 years | Tit. 12 SS 93 |
| Property Sold at Execution Sale | 5 years | Tit. 12 SS 93 |
| Forcible Entry and Detainer | 2 years | Tit. 12 SS 93 |
| Construction Defect | 10 years | Tit. 12 SS 109 |
Construction defect claims have a 10-year statute of repose. This means no claim can be brought more than 10 years after substantial completion, regardless of when the defect was discovered.
Claims Against Government Entities
Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act (Tit. 51 SS 151 et seq.) sets different rules for lawsuits against the state, counties, cities, and other government bodies.
You must file a written notice of your claim within 1 year of the date of injury. The government entity then has 90 days to respond. If your claim is denied (or if the government does not respond within 90 days, which counts as a denial), you have 180 days from the date of denial to file a lawsuit.
Missing the 1-year notice deadline permanently bars the claim.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Claims
Under Tit. 12 SS 95, a civil action for damages resulting from childhood sexual abuse, exploitation, or incest against the actual perpetrator must be filed before the victim's 45th birthday. This extended deadline took effect on November 1, 2017.
Claims against institutions (such as schools, churches, or youth organizations) follow the standard 2-year statute of limitations, which begins when the victim turns 18.
Actions Against Incarcerated Persons
A person seeking damages for injuries caused by criminal acts may file a civil lawsuit against the offender at any time while the offender is incarcerated for that offense. After the offender is released, the victim has 5 years to file suit. This provision applies to offenders in state, federal, or local correctional facilities on or after November 1, 2003.
Oklahoma Criminal Statute of Limitations
Oklahoma's criminal filing deadlines are found in Title 22, Sections 151 and 152 of the Oklahoma Statutes. These limits restrict how long prosecutors have to file charges after a crime occurs.
Crimes With No Time Limit
Murder has no statute of limitations in Oklahoma. Prosecutors may file murder charges at any time after the victim's death, regardless of how many years have passed (Tit. 22 SS 151).
Felony Time Limits
| Crime | Time Limit | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | No limit | Tit. 22 SS 151 |
| First Degree Manslaughter | 10 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 151 |
| Second Degree Manslaughter | 10 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 151 |
| Sexual Crimes Against Children | Until victim's 45th birthday | Tit. 22 SS 152(C) |
| Sexual Crimes Against Adults (18+) | 20 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 152(C) |
| Bribery | 7 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 152(A) |
| Embezzlement of Public Funds | 7 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 152(A) |
| Falsification of Public Records | 7 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 152(A) |
| Conspiracy to Defraud the State | 7 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 152(A) |
| Solicitation for First Degree Murder | 7 years (from discovery) | Tit. 22 SS 152(G) |
| Arson | 7 years | Tit. 22 SS 152(J) |
| Felony With a Deadly Weapon | 7 years | Tit. 22 SS 152(K) |
| Criminal Fraud | 3 years (from discovery), max 7 years | Tit. 22 SS 152(E) |
| Workers' Compensation Fraud | 3 years (from discovery), max 7 years | Tit. 22 SS 152(E) |
| False or Bogus Check | 5 years | Tit. 22 SS 152(F) |
| Criminal Conspiracy | 5 years | Tit. 22 SS 152 |
| Embezzlement (Private) | 5 years | Tit. 22 SS 152 |
| Criminal State Income Tax Violations | 5 years | Tit. 22 SS 152 |
| Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code Violations | 3 years | Tit. 22 SS 152(D) |
| All Other Felonies | 3 years | Tit. 22 SS 152 |
For manslaughter, "discovery" means the date the crime is reported to a law enforcement agency.
Misdemeanor Time Limits
All misdemeanor charges in Oklahoma must be filed within 3 years after the crime is committed.
Criminal Tolling Provisions
The criminal statute of limitations is paused (tolled) when the suspect is not a resident of Oklahoma or is absent from the state. The clock resumes when the suspect returns.
Tolling Exceptions: When the Clock Pauses
Oklahoma law provides several situations where the statute of limitations is paused, giving you more time to file.
Minors
If the injured person is under 18 when the cause of action arises, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the person turns 18. After turning 18, the person has 1 year to file suit under Tit. 12 SS 96.
For medical malpractice involving minors under age 12, a parent or guardian has 7 years from the date of the negligent act to file a claim. For minors age 12 and older, the claim must be filed within 1 year of turning 18, but no less than 2 years from the injury date.
Legal Disability (Mental Incapacity)
If a person is legally incapacitated when their cause of action arises, the statute of limitations is tolled until the disability is removed. Once the person is declared competent, they have 1 year to file.
Defendant Absent From the State
Under Tit. 12 SS 98, if the defendant leaves Oklahoma or conceals themselves, the statute of limitations is paused until the defendant returns or is found. However, this tolling does not apply if Oklahoma courts can obtain personal jurisdiction over the defendant through long-arm statutes or other service methods.
Discovery Rule
For certain claims (particularly fraud and medical malpractice), the clock starts when you discover or reasonably should have discovered the injury rather than when the harmful act occurred. Oklahoma courts apply the discovery rule to prevent defendants from benefiting when they successfully conceal wrongdoing.
What Happens When the Deadline Passes
Once the statute of limitations expires, your legal options become extremely limited.
In civil cases, the defendant can file a motion to dismiss based on the expired deadline. Courts will grant this motion, and you permanently lose the right to recover damages.
In criminal cases, the court must dismiss any charges filed after the deadline. The prosecution cannot proceed regardless of the strength of the evidence.
The only exceptions are crimes with no statute of limitations (such as murder) and situations where tolling provisions apply.
More Oklahoma Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma gives you 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Tit. 12 SS 95(3). If you miss this deadline, the court will dismiss your case.
Is there a statute of limitations for murder in Oklahoma?
No. Oklahoma has no time limit for prosecuting murder. Charges can be filed at any time after the victim's death under Tit. 22 SS 151.
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Oklahoma?
For written contracts, you have 5 years. For oral or implied contracts, you have 3 years. Both deadlines are set by Tit. 12 SS 95.
Can the statute of limitations be extended in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma law tolls (pauses) the statute of limitations for minors, mentally incapacitated persons, and cases where the defendant has left the state or is concealing themselves. The discovery rule also delays the start of the clock for fraud and certain other claims.
What is the deadline for filing a claim against the Oklahoma government?
You must provide written notice within 1 year under the Governmental Tort Claims Act (Tit. 51 SS 156). After the government denies your claim (or fails to respond within 90 days), you have 180 days to file a lawsuit.
Updates
Fixed the personal-injury citation from Tit. 12 SS 95(4) (which actually covers libel, slander, assault, battery, and false imprisonment) to the correct SS 95(3), and replaced a dead Governmental Tort Claims Act citation URL with a live Title 51 SS 156 source.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected the statute of limitations for debt-collection-on-account claims from 5 years to 3 years, and fixed the statute citation.
Corrected the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against adult (18+) victims from 12 years to the 20 years set by Title 22, Section 152(C).
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Oklahoma Statutes, Title 12: CIVIL PROCEDURE
§ 95Limitation of other actionsIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
A. Civil actions other than for the recovery of real property can only be brought within the following periods, after the cause of action shall have accrued, and not afterwards: 1. Within five (5) years: An action upon any contract, agreement, or promise in writing; 2. Within three (3) years: An action upon a contract express or implied not in writing; an action upon a liability created by statute other than a forfeiture or penalty; and an action on a foreign judgment; 3. Within two (2) years: An action for trespass upon real property; an action for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property; an action for injury to the rights of another, not arising on contract, and not hereinafter enumerated; an action for relief on the ground of fraud - the cause of action in such case shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery of the fraud; 4. Within one (1) year: An action for libel, slander, assault, battery, malicious prosecution, or false imprisonment; an action upon a statute for penalty or forfeiture, except where the statute imposing it prescribes a different limitation; 5.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-10 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 358 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Miller v. Miller (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1998, 69 O.B.A.J. 1172)“…should be governed by the statute of limitations for fraud, 12 O.S. Supp.1997 § 95(3), 13 and by the “discovery rule” app…”
- Resolution Trust Corp. v. Grant (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1995, 66 O.B.A.J. 2131)“…on Trust’s claims were barred by the two-year limitation of 12 O.S.Supp.1994 § 95(3), 4 the directors moved…”
- Woods v. Prestwick House, Inc. (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2011, 247 P.3d 1183)“…g, it: applied the two year statute of limitations found in 12 O.S. Supp.2009 § 95(A)(8); adopted the single publication r…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Oklahoma Dashcam Laws: Legality, Mounting Rules, and Evidence Use, Oklahoma Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
§ 1053Wrongful death - Limitation of actions - DamagesIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. When the death of one is caused by the wrongful act or omission of another, the personal representative of the former may maintain an action therefor against the latter, or his or her personal representative if he or she is also deceased, if the former might have maintained an action, had he or she lived, against the latter, or his or her representative, for an injury for the same act or omission. The action must be commenced within two (2) years. B. The damages recoverable in actions for wrongful death as provided in this section shall include the following: 1. Medical and burial expenses, which shall be distributed to the person or governmental agency as defined in Section 5051.1 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes who paid these expenses, or to the decedent's estate if paid by the estate. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to the cost of an abortion in actions maintained pursuant to subsection F of this section; 2. The loss of consortium and the grief of the surviving spouse, which shall be distributed to the surviving spouse; 3.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-06 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 52 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- GAASCH v. ST. PAUL FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE CO. (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2018, 2018 OK 12)“…children, if any, or next of kin, and brought pursuant to 12 O.S. § 1053.) See also St. L…”
- BOLER v. SECURITY HEALTH CARE, L.L.C. (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2014, 2014 OK 80)“…ant to 12 O.S. § 1051 and wrongful death claims pursuant to 12 O.S. § 1053. 2 By order filed March 7, 2013, the t…”
- WHIPPLE v. PHILLIPS AND SONS TRUCKING (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2020, 2020 OK 75)“…46 The wrongful death cause of action pursuant to 12 O.S. §1053 created or authorized a survivable caus…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Oklahoma Wrongful Death Laws (2026): Deadlines & Who Can Sue
§ 93Limitation of real actionsIn force
Actions for the recovery of real property, or for the determination of any adverse right or interest therein, can only be brought within the periods hereinafter prescribed, after the cause of action shall have accrued, and at no other time thereafter: (1) An action for the recovery of real property sold on execution, or for the recovery of real estate partitioned by judgment in kind, or sold, or conveyed pursuant to partition proceedings, or other judicial sale, or an action for the recovery of real estate distributed under decree of district court in administration or probate proceedings, when brought by or on behalf of the execution debtor or former owner, or his or their heirs, or any person claiming under him or them by title acquired after the date of the judgment or by any person claiming to be an heir or devisee of the decedent in whose estate such decree was rendered, or claiming under, as successor in interest, any such heir or devisee, within five (5) years after the date of the recording of the deed made in pursuance of the sale or proceeding, or within five (5) years after the date of the entry of the final judgment of partition in kind where no sale is had in the…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 18 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Chapman v. Tiger (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1960, 356 P.2d 571)“…eed and plaintiff's deed was barred by limitations. Title 12 O.S. § 93, subd. (3) as amended in 1949, provides…”
- BASE v. DEVON ENERGY PRODUCTION (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2024, 2024 OK 3)“…remised on the idea that quiet-title actions are subject to 12 O.S. § 93(4). Id. at ¶¶9, 13, 15 (citing Sco…”
- Williams v. Bailey (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1954, 268 P.2d 868)“…C.O.S. 1921, § 183; Stat. 1931, § 99; 12 O.S. 1941 § 93; 12 O.S.Supp. 1945 § 93. This court has many times held that a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 109Limitation of action to recover damages arising fromIn force
design, planning or construction of improvement to real property. No action in tort to recover damages (i) for any deficiency in the design, planning, supervision or observation of construction or construction of an improvement to real property, (ii) for injury to property, real or personal, arising out of any such deficiency, or (iii) for injury to the person or for wrongful death arising out of any such deficiency, shall be brought against any person owning, leasing, or in possession of such an improvement or performing or furnishing the design, planning, supervision or observation of construction or construction of such an improvement more than ten (10) years after substantial completion of such an improvement. Added by Laws 1967, c. 360, § 1, emerg. eff. May 22, 1967. Amended by Laws 1978, c. 188, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1978.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 28 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- CHRIST'S LEGACY CHURCH v. TRINITY GROUP ARCHITECTS (Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma 2018, 417 P.3d 1223)“…"[w]hether the statute of limitations has [run] pursuant to 12 O.S. § 109." However, as Trinity accurately stated…”
- TIGGES v. ANDREWS (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2017, 2017 OK 9)“…12. Civil Procedure Cite Name Level 12 O.S. 109 , Limitation of Action to Recover Da…”
- Rollings v. Thermodyne Industries, Inc. (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1996, 67 O.B.A.J. 399)“…d only in the first ten years of a building's construction, 12 O.S. § 109, and it has deprived you of a "wrong" f…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 96Persons under disability in actions other than to recoverIn force
realty - Exceptions - Personal injury to minor arising from medical malpractice. If a person entitled to bring an action other than for the recovery of real property, except for a penalty or forfeiture, be, at the time the cause of action accrued, under any legal disability, every such person shall be entitled to bring such action within one (1) year after such disability shall be removed, except that, after the effective date of this section, an action for personal injury to a minor under the age of twelve (12) arising from medical malpractice must be brought by the minor's parent or guardian within seven (7) years of infliction of the injury, provided a minor twelve (12) years of age and older must bring such action within one (1) year after attaining majority, but in no event less than two (2) years from the date of infliction of the injury, and an action for personal injury arising from medical malpractice to a person adjudged incompetent must be brought by the incompetent person's guardian within seven (7) years of infliction of the injury, provided an incompetent who has been adjudged competent must bring such action within one (1) year after the adjudication of…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 30 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- CRAWFORD v. OSU MEDICAL TRUST (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2022, 510 P.3d 824)“…in 51 O.S. § 156 D. When the GTCA Controls, 12 O.S. § 96 Does Not Apply ¶16 Title 12,…”
- Lovelace v. Keohane (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1992, 831 P.2d 624)“…isability" within the meaning of the tolling provisions of 12 O.S. § 96 (1981). This statute provides in pertin…”
- HALL v. THE GEO GROUP, INC (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 2014, 2014 OK 22)“…O.S. 95 , Limitation of Other Actions Discussed 12 O.S. 96 , Person Under Legal Disability - Ex…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 98Absence or flight of defendant - Effect of other lawsIn force
When a cause of action accrues against a person and that person is out of the state or has concealed himself, the period limited for the commencement of the action shall not begin to run until he comes into the state, or while he is concealed. If, after a cause of action accrues against a person and that person leaves the state or conceals himself, the time of his absence or concealment shall not be computed as any part of the period within which the action must be brought. Provided, however, that if any statute which extends the exercise of personal jurisdiction of courts over a person or corporation based upon service outside this state, or based upon substituted service upon an official of this or any other state or nation, or based upon service by publication permits the courts of this state to acquire personal jurisdiction over the person, the period of his absence or concealment shall be computed as part of the period within which the action must be brought. R.L. 1910, § 4660. Amended by Laws 1970, c. 76, § 1, emerg. eff. March 20, 1970; Laws 1980, c. 31, eff. Oct. 1, 1980.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2016
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- AUTUMN WOOD FARMS, LLC v. BYNUM (Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma 2015, 2015 OK CIV APP 90)“…le 12. Civil Procedure Cite Name Level 12 O.S. 98, Absence or Flight of Defendant - Eff…”
- Pemberton v. Patton (Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit 2016, 639 F. App'x 532)“…the defendants responsible concealed their identities. See Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 98; see also Young, 554 F.3d at 1258 (sta…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Oklahoma Statutes, Title 22: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 152Statute of limitationsIn force
A. Prosecutions for the crimes of bribery, embezzlement of public money, bonds, securities, assets or property of the state or any county, school district, municipality or other subdivision thereof, or of any misappropriation of public money, bonds, securities, assets or property of the state or any county, school district, municipality or other subdivision thereof, falsification of public records of the state or any county, school district, municipality or other subdivision thereof, and conspiracy to defraud the State of Oklahoma or any county, school district, municipality or other subdivision thereof in any manner or for any purpose shall be commenced within seven (7) years after the discovery of the crime; provided, however, prosecutions for the crimes of embezzlement or misappropriation of public money, bonds, securities, assets or property of any school district, including those relating to student activity funds, or the crime of falsification of public records of any independent school district, the crime of criminal conspiracy, the crime of embezzlement pursuant to Sections 1451 through 1461 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the crime of False Personation or Identity…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 9 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2016
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Cox v. State (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma 2006, 152 P.3d 244)“…commission of the offense under the catch-all provisions of 22 O.S. § 152(G). In 1998, child sexual abuse crimes…”
- TOLLETT v. STATE (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma 2016, 2016 OK CR 15)“…y involve sex crime offenses and the application of 22 O.S. § 152, titled “Limitations in general”. Secti…”
- Opinion No. (1990) (Oklahoma Attorney General Reports 1990)“…ITHIN FIVE (5) YEARS AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF THE CRIME." 22 O.S. 152 (1989). A CLEAR READING OF THE LANGUAG…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 151Limitations – Murder, first and second degreeIn force
manslaughter. A. There is no limitation of the time within which a prosecution for murder must be commenced. Such prosecution may be commenced at any time after the death of the person killed. B. Prosecutions for the crimes of first degree manslaughter and second degree manslaughter shall be commenced within ten (10) years after the discovery of the crime. For purposes of this subsection, “discovery” means the date the crime is reported to a law enforcement agency. R.L.1910, § 5624. Amended by Laws 1935, p. 20, § 1; Laws 1943, p. 84, § 1; Laws 2021, c. 354, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Oklahoma Statutes, Title 51: OFFICERS
§ 156Presentation of claim - Limitation of actions - Filing -In force
Notice - Wrongful death. A. Any person having a claim against the state or a political subdivision within the scope of Section 151 et seq. of this title shall present a claim to the state or political subdivision for any appropriate relief including the award of money damages. B. Except as provided in subsection H of this section, and not withstanding any other provision of law, claims against the state or a political subdivision are to be presented within one (1) year of the date the loss occurs. A claim against the state or a political subdivision shall be forever barred unless notice thereof is presented within one (1) year after the loss occurs. C. A claim against the state shall be in writing and filed with the Office of the Risk Management Administrator of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services who shall immediately notify the Attorney General and the agency concerned and conduct a diligent investigation of the validity of the claim within the time specified for approval or denial of claims by Section 157 of this title. A claim may be filed by certified mail with return receipt requested.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oklegislature.gov
Cited in 88 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Minie v. Hudson (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1997, 68 O.B.A.J. 909)“…care. We find that: 1) the clear and mandatory language of 51 O.S.Supp.1992 § 156(D) 1 requires that notice…”
- Reirdon v. Wilburton Board of Education (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1980, 611 P.2d 239)“…ice provision of the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, 51 O.S.Supp.1978 § 156, is unconstitutional because it is an a…”
- Johns Ex Rel. Johns v. Wynnewood School Board of Education (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1982, 656 P.2d 248)“…nts filed a motion to dismiss, alleging the requirements of 51 O.S. § 156 have not been fulfilled and thus plaint…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Explore the law
This article also draws on these acts and chapters (opening at their first section): Oklahoma Statutes, Title 12: CIVIL PROCEDURE § 1 (Title of chapter)
Related law for further reading — not part of this article’s citations.
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Sources and References
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 95 - Limitation of Other Actions(oscn.net).gov
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 22, Section 151 - Murder and Manslaughter Limitations(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 22, Section 152 - Criminal Statute of Limitations(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 1053 - Wrongful Death Limitation(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 93 - Limitation of Real Actions(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 96 - Persons Under Disability(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 98 - Absence or Flight of Defendant(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 109 - Construction Defect Limitation(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 51, Section 156 - Governmental Tort Claims Act Notice Requirement(law.justia.com)
- Oklahoma State Courts Network - Title 12 Civil Procedure(oscn.net).gov