a. The person serving the process shall state in his proof the name of the person served and the date, place and method of service. See 12 O.S.Supp. 1984, § 2004G.
Rule 2.Service and Proof of Service
Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma · Last amended November 1, 1985 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceRequires a proof of service to state who was served and how, gives a defendant, third-party defendant, or newly joined party 20 days to respond after service, and routes later papers through a party's attorney of record once one has appeared.
Full Text of Rule 2
(i) Defendants, third-party defendants and persons who are joined as parties to an action shall file their responsive pleading with the court clerk and serve copies on all opposing parties within 20 days after being served with process unless the time is extended by the service and filing of a motion or by the entry of an appearance, and they shall serve copies of their responsive pleading promptly thereafter on all other parties to the action. When a summons and petition are served by mail, a defendant shall serve his responsive pleadings within twenty (20) days after the date of receipt or, if service has been refused, then within twenty (20) days after the date acceptance was refused. Except as otherwise provided by statute or an order of the court, subsequent pleadings and all motions and other instruments shall be served on the opposing party within the prescribed time, and either before or promptly thereafter copies of the pleading shall be filed with the court clerk and served on all other parties to the action. This provision applies to amended pleadings except that an amendment that is made because a pleading failed to show a right to relief shall be filed with the court clerk within the time prescribed by the court, and either before or promptly thereafter copies of the amended pleading shall be served on, all parties to the action. 12 O.S.Supp.1984, § 1212G.
(ii) Except where a pleading is served with a summons, service of a pleading, motion or other instrument on a party shall be made by service on his attorney of record where there is one. 12 O.S.Supp.1984, § 2005A and B.
(iii) Where service of a pleading, motion or other instrument is made by delivery, the delivery shall be performed by any person who is 18 years of age or older. Proof of service, whether made by delivery or mail, shall be made by the certificate of an attorney of record, or if made by any other person, by the affidavit of such person. Such certificate or affidavit shall set forth the name of the person served and the date, place and method of service, and it shall be filed with the court clerk or it shall be endorsed upon the pleading, motion or instrument that is filed with the clerk. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to the service of a summons or the pleading that is served with the summons.
Amendment History
Withdrawn and replaced by order of Oct. 30, 1984, eff. 11/1/1984. Amended by order eff. 11/1/1985.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 2 covers the everyday mechanics of getting papers served and proving it. The person who serves process must state, in the proof of service, the name of the person served and the date, place, and method of service. A defendant, third-party defendant, or party joined to the action gets 20 days after service of process to file and serve a responsive pleading, unless that time is extended; when service came by mail, the 20 days runs from the date of receipt or, if service was refused, from the date of refusal.
Once an attorney of record exists, later service of pleadings, motions, and other papers on that party goes through the attorney instead — except for anything served together with a summons. Any adult may make hand delivery, and the certificate or affidavit proving service must again state who was served and the date, place, and method. Rule 2 connects to Rule 3's rules on waiving objections to that same service, and to Rule 16's separate diligence requirements when service is by publication instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I have to respond after I'm served with a summons and petition?
Rule 2 gives a defendant, third-party defendant, or joined party 20 days to file and serve a responsive pleading after being served with process, unless that time is extended.
I was served by mail. When does my 20 days start?
It starts on the date you received the mailing or, if you refused service, on the date you refused it.
Once my lawyer has entered an appearance, does the other side still have to serve me directly?
No. Rule 2 says that once an attorney of record exists, service of pleadings, motions, or other papers on a party goes through that attorney instead, except for papers served together with a summons.
Who can hand-deliver a pleading, and how do I prove it was delivered?
Anyone 18 or older may make delivery, and Rule 2 requires a certificate from an attorney of record (or an affidavit from anyone else) stating who was served and the date, place, and method.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma
as an appendix to Chapter 2 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: oklahoma 20 day answer deadlineproof of service oklahoma district courtservice on attorney of record oklahomarule 2 rules for district courts