The Affidavit
The Small Claims Procedure Act replaces formal pleadings with an Affidavit - the form is written directly into the statute. The Court Clerk attaches an Order to Appear commanding the Defendant to show up to the Trial. While the Court Clerks Office is very helpful, they cannot give any legal advice such as: what theory to plead, what the claim is actually worth, or what evidence to use.
“…the defendant will take notice that unless he appears and gives evidence of a legal defense, judgment will be rendered against him for the amount of the claim, together with costs and attorney fees…”
Paraphrasing the statutory order form, 12 O.S. §1753
Filing fees in Tulsa County
There is a ton of outdated information on the internet regarding Small Claims Filing Fees. Per 12 O.S. §1764, the current amounts are as follows:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing the Affidavit — claim of $5,000 or less | $58 |
| Filing the Affidavit — claim of $5,000.01 to $10,000 | $225.39 |
| Licensed private process server, per serve | ~Varies |
Listed above are the Tulsa County amounts as of August 2026. Court Costs are separate from attorney fees.
Where are you allowed to file?
For most Tulsa County disputes the answer is easy: the Defendant lives or does business in Tulsa County, so you file in Tulsa County. Oklahoma Law adds a Plaintiff-friendly wrinkle for debt cases: a suit on an open account or a note may be brought, at the Plaintiff's option, either where venue is ordinarily proper or in the county where the debt was contracted or the note was given (12 O.S. §1752B). A Tulsa business that extended credit in Tulsa can usually sue in Tulsa — even if the customer has since moved elsewhere.
Let TSC Law make the process easier for you
Mr. Ingham and his TSC Law Team will draft the Affidavit, file it, pay the Court Costs through their office, and hire the process servers with the Trial date in mind. You will receive the case number and Trial date when your case is filed.
Let TSC Law make the process easier for you — free case review