a. Electronic Filing. Whenever these rules require a pleading, motion, document, or other instrument to be filed or delivered to the court clerk, such requirement may be satisfied by electronic filing as authorized by the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts, and any other applicable statute or court rule. Whenever these rules reference the "Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts," such reference shall mean the "Oklahoma Rules for E-Filing in Selected Pilot Courts" (See Supreme Court Administrative Directive No. SCAD-2012-36, RE Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts Selected as Pilot Courts, 2012 OK 61) and any subsequent versions of those rules as the Supreme Court may approve from time to time.
§ 2.1.Electronic Filing, Service, and Signature
Chapter 2: General Provisions · Last amended November 1, 1985 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 2.1 lets any filing, service, or signature the civil procedure rules require be done electronically, so long as the method follows the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts or another applicable statute or court rule.
Full Text of § 2.1
b. Electronic Service. Whenever these rules require a pleading, motion, document or other instrument to be served, mailed, transmitted, or issued, such requirement may be satisfied by electronic methods as authorized by the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts, and any other applicable statute or court rule. As used in these rules, the term "mail" "mailing" or "mailed" shall include transmission by electronic mail, when authorized by the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts, and any other applicable statute or court rule.
c. Electronic Signature.
1. Whenever these rules require a pleading, motion, document, or other instrument to be signed, verified, certified, or otherwise authenticated, such requirement may be satisfied by electronic methods as authorized by the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts, and any other applicable statute or court rule.
2. Pleadings, motions, affidavits, waivers, or other instruments which are signed under penalty of perjury, or notarized may be filed electronically, pursuant to the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts or other applicable court rule or statute. Waivers or other instruments which are signed and witnessed may be electronically filed in the same manner as notarized documents. The filer shall retain the original document, or other evidence of the original signature(s), for future production.
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
Section 2.1 lets Oklahoma litigants meet most paper-based requirements in the civil procedure rules through electronic means instead. Any pleading, motion, or document that the rules say must be filed or delivered to the court clerk can be filed electronically, and any document that must be served, mailed, or transmitted can go out electronically too. Both permissions run through the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts — a set of rules the Supreme Court first adopted for a handful of pilot courts under Administrative Directive SCAD-2012-36 and has updated since. Wherever the civil procedure rules use the word “mail,” this section reads that to include email, once the e-filing rules authorize it.
The same electronic option covers signatures. A document that the rules require to be signed, verified, certified, or otherwise authenticated can meet that requirement electronically. Even documents signed under penalty of perjury, notarized, or signed before a witness — affidavits and waivers, for example — can be filed electronically under the e-filing rules. But the filer still has to keep the original document, or other proof of the original signature, in case a court later asks to see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a pleading in an Oklahoma civil case by email or through an e-filing system?
Yes. Section 2.1 lets any document the civil procedure rules require to be filed or delivered to the court clerk be filed electronically, as long as the filing follows the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts or another applicable statute or rule.
Does “mail” in the Oklahoma civil procedure rules include email?
Yes, when electronic transmission is authorized under the Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts. Section 2.1 says that wherever the rules use “mail,” “mailing,” or “mailed,” that includes electronic mail once the e-filing rules allow it.
Do I need to keep the original signed document if I e-file it?
Yes. Section 2.1 requires the filer to retain the original document, or other evidence of the original signature, for later production, even for notarized or witnessed documents filed electronically.
What are the “Rules for Electronic Filing in the Oklahoma Courts” that Section 2.1 keeps referencing?
Section 2.1 says the phrase means the Oklahoma Rules for E-Filing in Selected Pilot Courts, adopted by the Supreme Court’s Administrative Directive SCAD-2012-36, plus any later version the Supreme Court approves.
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 e-filing ruleelectronic signature civil proceduree-file pleadings oklahomaelectronic service of process oklahoma