The style of all process shall be "The State of Oklahoma." It shall be under the seal of the court from whence the same shall issue, shall be signed by the clerk, and dated the day it is issued.
§ 51.Style of Process
Chapter 2: General Provisions · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 51 requires every writ, summons, or other judicial process issued in Oklahoma to be styled "The State of Oklahoma," bear the issuing court's seal, carry the clerk's signature, and show the date it was issued.
Full Text of § 51
Amendment History
R.L. 1910, § 5319.
Plain-English Summary
Section 51 sets the format every piece of judicial process must follow. The caption reads "The State of Oklahoma," the document carries the seal of the court that issued it, the clerk signs it, and it's dated the day it's issued.
These four elements — style, seal, signature, and date — work together with Section 38's seal requirement and Section 53's rule that the sheriff record when process arrives, so a document's authenticity and timing can be checked at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Oklahoma process say "The State of Oklahoma" at the top?
Section 51 sets that phrase as the required style for all process issued by Oklahoma courts.
Does a summons need the court's seal?
Yes. The section requires process to be issued under the seal of the court it comes from.
Who signs Oklahoma judicial process?
The clerk of the issuing court signs it.
Does process have to show when it was issued?
Yes, the section requires the date of issuance on the document.
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: State of Oklahoma process captionsummons style and seal requirementOklahoma writ formatting ruleclerk signature dated process