In any case founded on contract, when any part of the principal or interest shall have been paid, or an acknowledgment of an existing liability, debt or claim, or any promise to pay the same shall have been made, an action may be brought in such case within the period prescribed for the same, after such payment, acknowledgment or promise; but such acknowledgment or promise must be in writing, signed by the party to be charged thereby.
§ 101.Extension of Limitation - Part Payment, Acknowledgment Or New Promise
Chapter 3: Limitations of Actions · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 101 restarts the limitations clock on a contract claim when the debtor makes a partial payment, or signs a written and signed acknowledgment of the debt or a written promise to pay it.
Full Text of § 101
Amendment History
R.L. 1910, § 4663.
Plain-English Summary
In a case founded on contract, a partial payment of principal or interest restarts the limitations period, running fresh from the date of that payment. An acknowledgment of the existing debt, or a new promise to pay it, does the same thing, but only if it's in writing and signed by the party to be charged.
The provision doesn't apply outside contract claims, and it doesn't let an oral acknowledgment or promise revive an otherwise-expired claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can paying part of a debt restart the statute of limitations?
Yes, a partial payment of principal or interest restarts the limitations period, measured from the date of the payment.
Does an oral promise to pay a debt restart the clock?
No, an acknowledgment of the debt or a promise to pay it must be in writing and signed by the person to be charged to restart the limitations period.
How much time do I get after a qualifying payment or written acknowledgment?
The period the underlying contract claim originally carried, running fresh from the payment, acknowledgment, or promise.
Does this section apply outside of contract claims?
No, the text limits it to cases founded on contract.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: Oklahoma debt acknowledgment restarts statute of limitationspartial payment restarts statute of limitations Oklahoma12 O.S. § 101written acknowledgment of debt Oklahoma