As used in this act:
§ 3251.Definitions
Chapter 41A: Structured Settlement Protection Act of 2001 · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceDefines "foreign jurisdiction," "foreign subpoena," "person," "state," and "subpoena" for purposes of Oklahoma's interstate discovery act, covering subpoenas for depositions, document and electronic-record production, and premises inspection issued by courts outside Oklahoma.
Full Text of § 3251
1. "Foreign jurisdiction" means a state other than this state;
2. "Foreign subpoena" means a subpoena issued under authority of a court of record of a foreign jurisdiction;
3. "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government, or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity;
4. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and
5. "Subpoena" means a document, however denominated, issued under authority of a court of record requiring a person to:
a. attend and give testimony at a deposition,
b. produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, documents, records, electronically stored information or tangible things in the possession, custody or control of the person, or
c. permit inspection of premises under the control of the person.
Amendment History
Added by Laws 2021, c. 184, s. 2, eff. 11/1/2021.
Plain-English Summary
Section 3251 sets the vocabulary for the discovery act that follows. A "foreign jurisdiction" is any state other than Oklahoma, and a "foreign subpoena" is one issued under the authority of that other state's court of record. "State" is defined broadly -- it covers every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, and other U.S. territories and possessions.
"Subpoena" covers three kinds of demands: requiring someone to attend and testify at a deposition, to produce and permit inspection of documents, records, electronically stored information, or tangible things, or to permit inspection of premises. "Person" is defined broadly too, reaching individuals, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, governments, and other legal or commercial entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a "foreign subpoena" under this act?
A subpoena issued under the authority of a court of record in a state other than Oklahoma -- a "foreign jurisdiction."
Does "subpoena" here include a request to inspect documents, not just testify?
Yes. It covers attending and testifying at a deposition, producing and permitting inspection of documents, records, electronically stored information, or tangible things, and permitting inspection of premises.
Does "state" include Indian tribes and U.S. territories?
Yes. The definition covers every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, and any other territory or insular possession under U.S. jurisdiction.
Who counts as a "person" under this act?
The definition is broad, covering an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, and government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, among other legal or commercial entities.
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: foreign subpoena definition oklahomawhat is a foreign jurisdiction oklahoma discovery12 O.S. § 3251interstate discovery subpoena definitions