Back to Oklahoma
Tulsa County, OK Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | District Court of Tulsa County |
| Filing office | Tulsa County Court Clerk, Probate department |
| Courthouse address | Tulsa County Courthouse, 500 South Denver Ave., Room 200, second floor, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-3832 |
| Mailing address | Tulsa County Court Clerk, Tulsa County Courthouse, 500 South Denver Ave., Room 200, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-3832 |
| Phone | 918-596-5420 main. 918-596-5439 Probate department. |
| Fax | No filing fax is published by the Tulsa County Court Clerk. |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The courthouse also closes on the county's published holidays. |
| Filing fee | The Tulsa County Court Clerk publishes a probate filing figure of $214.14. The statutory base includes $135.00 for probate and guardianship (28 O.S. § 152(A)(3)) and a $7.00 Dispute Resolution System cost (12 O.S. § 1809(A)). Confirm the current counter total with the Probate department. |
| Local forms | Yes. The Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet is required with the initial filing. |
| E-filing | Tulsa County is one of the Oklahoma counties where electronic filing is available, but the first petition that begins a probate case is filed on paper. Registered Oklahoma attorneys may electronically file later documents in an existing Tulsa County case. Self-represented filers cannot register. |
| Case search | OSCN at https://www.oscn.net/dockets/Search.aspx. Tulsa County probate cases use the PB prefix. Many docket entries include document images, while older material may require a request to the Court Clerk's Records and Archives. |
| Remote appearance | Oklahoma allows videoconferencing in district courts under Rule 34 (Okla. Dist. Ct. R. 34), and the presiding judge decides. Tulsa County publishes virtual settings for some dockets, but probate is not one of the listed dockets. Ask the Court Clerk when the hearing is set. |
| Website | https://courtclerk.tulsacounty.org/ and https://courtclerk.tulsacounty.org/Home/Probate |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Tulsa County, identify what the decedent owned, what was jointly titled, what has a beneficiary designation, what debts exist, and whether any real property needs a deed or court order. Estate settlement is faster when you know whether the family needs the Tulsa County Court Clerk, a bank affidavit, a transfer-on-death deed issue, or help selling property.
Sunset can search across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help locate accounts and assets before you choose a Tulsa County probate path. That asset picture also helps you decide what to bring to the Probate department in Room 200 and what questions to ask a local attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
A Tulsa County probate is filed with the Tulsa County Court Clerk at the Tulsa County Courthouse in Tulsa, in the District Court of Tulsa County, which sits in Oklahoma's Fourteenth Judicial District together with Pawnee County. Sharing a judicial district does not move the filing. A Pawnee County estate is filed with the Pawnee County Court Clerk at the courthouse in Pawnee.
Venue usually belongs in the county where the decedent lived at death, even if the death happened somewhere else. For a nonresident decedent, Oklahoma law sets a sequence based on where the decedent died and where Oklahoma property is located (58 O.S. § 5). Tulsa County filings cover Tulsa and other municipalities within Tulsa County, including Broken Arrow, Glenpool, Bixby, Owasso, Skiatook, Collinsville, and Sand Springs.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the original will if one exists, account information, vehicle titles, deeds, debts, and contact information for heirs and devisees before beginning estate settlement.
- Decide whether the matter needs a court case. Some personal property can be handled by the Oklahoma small estate affidavit under 58 O.S. § 393 with no court filing, while a Tulsa County court case is used when letters, a hearing, real property, or a court decree is needed.
- Prepare the petition and the Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet. The cover sheet is required with the initial filing and asks what kind of probate is being opened and how notice will be served.
- File the petition, the cover sheet, the original will if there is one, and any required supporting documents with the Tulsa County Court Clerk's Probate department in Room 200 on the second floor of the Tulsa County Courthouse at 500 South Denver Ave. The first petition is filed on paper, in person or by mail, because electronic filing does not begin a new Oklahoma probate case.
- Pay the filing costs or request a poverty waiver if appropriate. The Tulsa County Court Clerk publishes a probate filing figure of $214.14, and the statutory base includes $135.00 for probate and guardianship (28 O.S. § 152(A)(3)) plus a $7.00 Dispute Resolution System cost (12 O.S. § 1809(A)).
- Get a hearing date and give the required notice. Oklahoma probate matters are heard by a district judge. If remote testimony is requested, follow the judge's procedure under Rule 34 (Okla. Dist. Ct. R. 34), including the notice requirement for testimony by videoconference.
- After appointment, the personal representative receives letters testamentary or letters of administration, takes the oath, addresses any bond order, gathers assets, and files the required inventory and appraisement.
- Publish and mail notice to creditors. The notice states a presentment date, and claims not presented by that date are barred forever (58 O.S. § 333).
- Administer the estate, resolve claims, sell property if the court authorizes a sale, and keep records for the final account. A proceeding for sale or lease of real or personal property or a mineral interest in probate carries a $43.00 charge (28 O.S. § 152(A)(5)).
- Set the final account and petition for distribution for hearing. Under Tulsa County local Rule PR 2(E), if no one appears at the final-account hearing, the court may strike the hearing and require new notice.
- After the court enters the decree of distribution and discharge, record the decree with the county clerk of every Oklahoma county where the decedent owned land.
Executor duties
Tulsa County adds a few local tasks to the statewide work of a personal representative. File the Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet with the opening petition, because the sheet says it is required with the initial filing.
Make sure someone appears at the final-account hearing. Tulsa County local Rule PR 2(E) says final accounts in probate matters are heard after a setting and proper statutory notice, and if no one appears the court may strike the hearing and require new notice.
If the Court Clerk holds a will for safekeeping, expect a court order before anyone may review or copy it. Tulsa County local Rule PR 4 lists last wills and testaments in safekeeping among records that require an order from a district judge on a showing of good cause.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Tulsa County
The Tulsa County Court Clerk publishes one local probate form that matters at the start of a case: the Probate Cover Sheet. The sheet says it is required with the initial filing, is used for internal case tracking, and does not become part of the public record. It includes probate case-type and action boxes such as probate of will, summary administration, ancillary probate, letters of administration, determination of death and termination of joint tenancy, administration of estate, safekeeping of wills, appointment of personal representative, order for sale, and conveyance of realty.
Tulsa County does not provide a fill-in petition packet for estate settlement. The Court Clerk's Probate page says forms may be available in the Law Library or in the Probate department and recommends that an executor seek an attorney's advice before proceeding. The Court Clerk is a filing office and cannot choose the right petition for you.
Fees
The Tulsa County Court Clerk publishes a probate filing figure of $214.14. Confirm the current counter total with the Probate department at 918-596-5439 before filing, because the total collected can differ from printed schedules.
The statutory base includes $135.00 for probate and guardianship (28 O.S. § 152(A)(3)) and a $7.00 Dispute Resolution System cost (12 O.S. § 1809(A)). The Court Clerk also links the Uniform Oklahoma Fee Schedule, which is dated effective November 1, 2021 and lists Probate and Probate summary at $135.00 (28 O.S. § 152(A)(3)). Oklahoma later amended 28 O.S. § 152 effective November 1, 2025, so an older printed schedule may not reflect every current component.
If the estate needs a court proceeding to sell or lease real property, personal property, or a mineral interest, that proceeding carries a $43.00 charge (28 O.S. § 152(A)(5)). A filer who qualifies may ask to proceed without fees or costs by affidavit in forma pauperis and a satisfactory showing of poverty (28 O.S. § 152(H)).
Local nuance
Tulsa County-specific considerations
Tulsa County dockets are on OSCN, while Pawnee County, the other county in Oklahoma's Fourteenth Judicial District, uses On Demand Court Records. A family dealing with matters in both counties should expect two different public docket systems and two different filing counters.
The Tulsa County Court Clerk has a Broken Arrow satellite office at 123 N. Main Street in Broken Arrow, 918-596-8991. That office handles marriage licenses, passports, and certified copies of marriage licenses and divorce documents. Probate filings go downtown to Room 200 at the Tulsa County Courthouse.
The Court Clerk stores wills for safekeeping under 84 O.S. § 81, and the Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet includes a safekeeping-of-wills box. A will held in safekeeping is sealed, and local Rule PR 4 requires an order from a district judge on a showing of good cause before the Court Clerk may allow review or copying.
The Fourteenth Judicial District has Tulsa County and Pawnee County electoral-division rules and a statutory business court judgeship. Those district-structure facts do not change where a Tulsa County probate is filed or the steps needed for ordinary estate settlement.
Recent updates
| Change | What it means in Tulsa County |
|---|---|
| Tulsa County local probate rules | Local Rule PR 2 took effect July 1, 2016. Rule PR 8, effective August 24, 2023, makes the district's civil local rules apply to probate cases unless the probate rules conflict. |
| Summary administration law | The summary administration ceiling in 58 O.S. § 245 rose to $300,000 effective August 12, 2026 under Laws 2026, HB 2650. The five-years-deceased and nonresident-decedent routes in § 245 have no dollar limit. |
| Combined-notice publication | Changes to 58 O.S. § 246 take effect November 1, 2026 under Laws 2026, HB 4339. |
| Fourteenth Judicial District business court judgeship | 20 O.S. § 92.15e established one business court judicial office in District No. 14 effective July 1, 2026. It does not change where a Tulsa County probate is filed. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Tulsa County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | First check whether the home was held in joint tenancy, covered by a transfer-on-death deed, or otherwise outside probate. If a court step is needed, the Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet includes a box for determination of death and termination of joint tenancy, and the filing goes to Room 200 at the Tulsa County Courthouse. | Sunset helps locate accounts, deeds, beneficiary information, and mortgage details so the spouse can tell what belongs in the estate settlement and what may pass outside the court case. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | The Oklahoma small estate affidavit under 58 O.S. § 393 involves no court filing, so there may be nothing to bring to the Tulsa County Court Clerk. If a Tulsa County case is needed and the child is appointed personal representative, a nonresident appointee must appoint an agent residing in Tulsa County before acting (58 O.S. § 162). Tulsa County dockets can be followed on OSCN. | Sunset helps inventory accounts, prepare documents for banks and counsel, and coordinate with a Tulsa attorney when a paper filing or hearing is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | This usually needs letters and a hearing before a district judge. If the house is sold inside the probate, the sale proceeding carries a $43.00 charge (28 O.S. § 152(A)(5)), and the Probate Cover Sheet includes order-for-sale and conveyance-of-realty boxes. The final decree is recorded with the county clerk where the land lies. | Sunset helps find the assets, organize creditor and property information, generate a probate packet, and connect the parent with a local attorney for the sale and final-account hearing. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa County Law Library | Public law library on the second floor of the Tulsa County Courthouse with Oklahoma statutes, reports, treatises, legal encyclopedias, online databases, and public internet access. The Court Clerk's Probate page points people there for forms. Library staff cannot give legal advice. | Tulsa County Courthouse, 500 S. Denver, 2nd floor, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-3832. 918-596-5404. [email protected]. |
| Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. | Free civil legal help for low-income Oklahomans, subject to eligibility and case-type priorities. Its public legal-information topics do not promise probate representation, so ask directly before relying on it for an estate matter. | Statewide application line 1-888-534-5243. Tulsa office: 907 South Detroit Avenue, Suite 725, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120. 918-584-3338 or 800-299-3338. The Tulsa office closes from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. |
| Oklahoma Indian Legal Services | Help for restricted and trust land issues, wills clinics for elders, clearing title to restricted land, and protection of mineral interests. It is not a general substitute for probate counsel. | Tulsa office: 907 S. Detroit Ave., Suite 1325, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120. (405) 943-6457 or in-state toll free 800-658-1497. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
| Tulsa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service | Local lawyer referral route linked by the Fourteenth Judicial District's resources page. The program does not provide pro bono attorneys and does not have attorneys on staff to answer legal questions. | 918-587-6014. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset searches for accounts, insurance, retirement assets, loans, and other financial clues so the family can understand what belongs in the Tulsa County estate settlement before filing.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset helps organize the information needed for a Tulsa County probate packet, including asset lists, interested persons, creditor details, and documents your attorney can use with the Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet.
Find a local probate attorney
When a hearing, real property sale, creditor issue, or restricted-land question calls for counsel, Sunset can connect the family with a probate attorney familiar with Tulsa County practice.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset is free for families. The platform helps you find assets, understand the next step, and get matched with professional help when the estate needs it.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a probate in Tulsa County, Oklahoma?
File with the Tulsa County Court Clerk's Probate department in Room 200 on the second floor of the Tulsa County Courthouse, 500 South Denver Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-3832. The case is in the District Court of Tulsa County.
How much does it cost to file a probate in Tulsa County?
The Tulsa County Court Clerk publishes a probate filing figure of $214.14. The statutory base includes $135.00 for probate and guardianship (28 O.S. § 152(A)(3)) and a $7.00 Dispute Resolution System cost (12 O.S. § 1809(A)). Confirm the current total with the Probate department at 918-596-5439 before filing.
Can I file a Tulsa County probate electronically?
The first petition is filed on paper, in person or by mail. Tulsa County is an electronic-filing county, but Oklahoma's court FAQ says electronic filing cannot be used to initiate a new case. Registered Oklahoma attorneys may electronically file later documents in an existing Tulsa County case, and self-represented filers cannot register.
How do I look up a Tulsa County probate case?
Use OSCN at https://www.oscn.net/dockets/Search.aspx and select Tulsa County. Tulsa estate probate cases use the PB prefix. The docket can show parties, attorneys, settings, entries, and some document images, while older paper and microfilm material may require a request to the Court Clerk's Records and Archives.
Does the Tulsa County Court Clerk have probate forms?
Yes, the Court Clerk publishes the Tulsa County Probate Cover Sheet and requires it with the initial filing. The county does not provide a complete fill-in petition packet. The Probate page points people to the Law Library or the Probate department for possible forms and recommends that an executor seek legal advice.
Can I appear by video for a Tulsa County probate hearing?
Maybe, if the judge allows it. Oklahoma authorizes videoconferencing under Rule 34 (Okla. Dist. Ct. R. 34), which gives the presiding judge broad discretion. Tulsa County publishes virtual settings for some dockets, but probate is not one of the listed dockets, so ask the Court Clerk when the hearing is set.
Can I file a probate at the Broken Arrow office?
No published Tulsa County page says the Broken Arrow satellite accepts probate filings. That office handles marriage licenses, passports, and certified copies of marriage licenses and divorce documents. Probate filings go to the Tulsa County Courthouse downtown.
Is my parent's will on file with the Tulsa County Court Clerk?
It may be if the will was deposited for safekeeping. The Court Clerk stores wills for safekeeping under 84 O.S. § 81, and the Probate Cover Sheet includes a safekeeping-of-wills option. A will held in safekeeping is sealed, and local Rule PR 4 requires a court order on a showing of good cause before review or copying.
What happens if nobody shows up at the final hearing in a Tulsa County probate?
Under Tulsa County local Rule PR 2(E), final accounts in probate matters are heard after a setting and proper statutory notice. If no one appears on a final account, the court may strike the hearing and require new notice, which can add another notice cycle.
Do I have to travel to Tulsa to settle the estate?
Not always. Some filings can be mailed, Tulsa County dockets can be followed on OSCN, and an Oklahoma attorney can handle many court tasks. Hearings are still real court settings, and whether any appearance or testimony can happen by video depends on the judge under Rule 34 (Okla. Dist. Ct. R. 34).
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.