In addition to the other counties in which an action may be brought against a nonresident of this state, or a foreign corporation, such action may be brought in any county in which there may be property of or debts owing to such defendant, or where such defendant may be found, or in any county where a codefendant may properly be sued; if such defendant be a foreign insurance company the action may be brought in any county where such cause of action, or any part thereof, arose, or where the plaintiff resides or where such company has an agent.
§ 137.Actions Against Foreign Corporations and Nonresidents
Chapter 5: Venue · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 137 adds extra venue options for suing a nonresident or foreign corporation, the county holding their property or debts owed to them, where they can be found, or where a codefendant can be sued, with broader options still for foreign insurance companies.
Full Text of § 137
Amendment History
Added by Laws 1975, SB 192, c. 125, §1, emerg. eff. 5/13/1975.
Plain-English Summary
On top of whatever counties would otherwise be available, an action against a nonresident of Oklahoma or a foreign corporation may be brought in any county where the defendant has property or is owed debts, where the defendant may be found, or where a codefendant may properly be sued. A foreign insurance company gets even more options: the county where the cause of action arose, where the plaintiff resides, or where the company has an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I sue a nonresident defendant or an out-of-state corporation in Oklahoma?
In addition to other available counties, you may sue where the defendant has property or owes debts, where the defendant can be found, or where a codefendant may properly be sued.
Are foreign insurance companies treated differently?
Yes, you get more options against a foreign insurance company: where the cause of action arose, where the plaintiff resides, or where the company has an agent.
Does this section replace other venue rules?
No, the text adds to, rather than replaces, other venue provisions.
What does “foreign corporation” mean here?
A corporation not created under Oklahoma law, meaning an out-of-state or out-of-country corporation.
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 nonresident defendant venueforeign corporation lawsuit venue Oklahoma12 O.S. § 137foreign insurance company venue Oklahoma