In addition to the other counties in which an action may be brought against a nonresident of this state, an action where all defendants are nonresidents of the state may be brought in the county where the cause of action arose or in the county where the plaintiff or one of the plaintiffs resides. If one or more of the defendants is a resident of this state, the action shall be brought in any county where venue would be proper as to the resident defendant or one of the resident defendants if there are several.
§ 187.Action Against Nonresident Defendant(s) - Venue
Chapter 6: Commencement of Actions · Last amended November 1, 1984 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 187 allows a suit against all-nonresident defendants to be filed where the cause of action arose or where a plaintiff resides, but requires venue against a mixed group of defendants to follow whichever county is proper for a resident defendant.
Full Text of § 187
Amendment History
Amended by Laws 1984, SB 417, c. 164, §31, eff. 11/1/1984.
Plain-English Summary
Ordinary venue rules assume at least one defendant lives in Oklahoma. Section 187 fills the gap for cases where none do. If every defendant is a nonresident, the plaintiff can file in the county where the cause of action arose or in the county where the plaintiff, or any one of multiple plaintiffs, resides — options that exist alongside whatever other counties already permit venue against a nonresident.
If the defendants are a mix of residents and nonresidents, that added flexibility disappears: venue must follow whatever county is proper for the resident defendant, or for one of several resident defendants if venue would be proper as to any of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a plaintiff sue if every defendant lives outside Oklahoma?
In the county where the cause of action arose, or in the county where the plaintiff (or one of several plaintiffs) resides, on top of any other county already available under other venue rules.
Does this special venue rule apply if one defendant lives in Oklahoma and another doesn't?
No. Once a resident defendant is in the case, venue must be proper as to that resident defendant, or one of several resident defendants, rather than the extra options this section gives for all-nonresident cases.
Does Section 187 replace other venue rules for nonresident defendants?
No. It adds new options on top of the other counties where an action may already be brought against a nonresident, rather than replacing them.
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
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