{"id":375756,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/oklahoma-law\/oklahoma-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-14T08:53:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T13:53:04","slug":"oklahoma-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/oklahoma-law\/oklahoma-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oklahoma Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The statutes of limitations are time limits imposed by state law<\/a> for initiating a lawsuit or some other type of civil action. The time begins "tolling" when an injury or other disputed event has happened, but some exceptions exist.<\/p>\r\n

Time limits imposed by statutes of limitations<\/a> are important for a couple of reasons. First, they prevent potential plaintiffs from threatening someone with a lawsuit indefinitely. Also, they ensure greater integrity of the evidence and a more efficient case.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of the civil statute of limitations laws in the state of Oklahoma.<\/p>\r\n

The Discovery Rule and ‘Tolling’<\/h2>\r\n

In Oklahoma, the discovery rule<\/a> allows the statute of limitations for a specific cause of action to begin when the personal injury or damage is discovered rather than when the incident happened. Under the general rule, the limitations period for filing a legal action typically starts at the time of the incident, but this may be extended for cases involving latent injuries or conditions. For instance, in wrongful death cases<\/a>, the claimant may not know the exact cause of death until later. Also, Oklahoma’s tolling provisions can pause the limitations period if the defendant is out of state or unavailable.<\/p>\r\n

Oklahoma Civil Statute of Limitations: At a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

In most instances, Oklahoma plaintiffs have a two-year limit from the date of the incident in which to file a lawsuit. Exceptions include defamation<\/a> (libel or slander) at one year, five years for rent and debt collection or written contracts, and three years for judgments and oral contracts.<\/p>\r\n

The table below shows the main provisions of Oklahoma’s civil statute of limitations<\/a>. See FindLaw’s Injury Law Basics<\/a> section for more information about filing a lawsuit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Injury to person<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(3))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Defamation (libel\/slander)<\/th>\r\n

One year (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(4))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Fraud<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(3))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Injury to personal property<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(3))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Professional malpractice<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(3))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Trespass<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(3))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Collection of rents<\/th>\r\n
    \r\n
  • Written: Five years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(1))<\/li>\r\n
  • Oral: Three years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(2))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Contracts<\/th>\r\n
    \r\n
  • Written: Five years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(1))<\/li>\r\n
  • Oral: Three years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(2))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Collection of debt on account<\/th>\r\n
    \r\n
  • Written: Five years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(1))<\/li>\r\n
  • Oral: Three years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(2))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Judgments<\/th>\r\n

Three years for foreign judgment (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 \u00a7 95(2))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n