# Oklahoma statute of limitations on debt

> In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 5 years under 12 O.S. § 95(A). Periods for oral contracts, open accounts and promissory notes.

- Source: https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/oklahoma/
- Publisher: Otto — https://ottoforfirms.com
- Updated: 2026-09-01

[All jurisdictions](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/)

In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 5 years under 12 O.S. § 95(A).

**Rule.** A written contract claim in Oklahoma must be brought within 5 years.

**Authority.** [12 O.S. § 95(A)](https://oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os12.pdf)

| Contract type | Limitations period |
| --- | --- |
| Written contract | 5 yr |
| Oral contract | 3 yr |
| Open account | — |
| Promissory note | 6 yr |

## What the statute says

> 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: ... Within five (5) years: An action upon any contract, agreement, or promise in writing ... 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

— [12 O.S. § 95(A)](https://oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os12.pdf)

## When does the clock start?

The period runs from the date the cause of action accrues — for contract claims, the date of breach or of the missed payment sued upon; § 95(A) states the periods run "after the cause of action shall have accrued, and not afterwards."

## What pauses it?

12 O.S. § 98 tolls for a defendant who is outside the state or concealed when the claim accrues, or who later departs or conceals — but expressly NOT where long-arm, substituted, or publication service would give Oklahoma courts personal jurisdiction, which neutralizes the tolling in most modern consumer cases. § 95(A) also carries a discovery rule for fraud. NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED — I did not fetch § 98 in this pass.

Last reviewed 2026-07-26

## Related

- [Arkansas statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/arkansas/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [Colorado statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/colorado/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [Kansas statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/kansas/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.

## About Otto

This table is a free reference and it is not the product. Otto is case management for US collections law firms; the rules engine ships all fifty states configured — four shown in end-to-end depth in the demo — and it checks a date like this one before a file moves rather than after.

- [Ask about your jurisdictions](https://ottoforfirms.com/contact/)
- [See what it costs](https://ottoforfirms.com/pricing/)

---

This is an informational reference, not legal advice, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. Limitations periods turn on facts this page cannot know — which state's law governs, the contract type, when the claim accrued, and whether anything tolled or revived it. Confirm against the primary source and your own counsel before acting.