Family Law Service: Serving Protective Orders & Divorce Papers in Tulsa County

1. Protective Order Service Requirements

Emergency Protective Orders (EPO)

• Under 22 O.S. § 60.4, emergency protective orders must be served by law enforcement officers.
• Our role: coordinate with law enforcement agencies, track service status, and ensure timely filing of proof of service.
• Obtain certified EPO signed by the judge and deliver to the appropriate law enforcement agency for service.
• Document service time, officer ID, and agency details.
• File proof of service promptly after law enforcement confirms completion.

Note: Delays in EPO service can jeopardize an applicant's ex parte protections. Prompt coordination with law enforcement is critical.

Temporary & Permanent Protective Orders

• Temporary orders follow similar service timelines.
• Permanent protective orders require personal service within applicable timeframes before the hearing, as set by court order and consistent with 12 O.S. § 2004.
• If personal service fails, the court may authorize alternative methods (publication or certified mail) under 12 O.S. § 2004(D).
• Coordinate with law enforcement for safety; as a firm practice, we use GPS-tagged photos in affidavits for enhanced documentation.

2. Divorce Petition Service Protocols

• Oklahoma divorce petitions must be served under 43 O.S. §113(A) via personal service, acceptance by respondent, or publication after diligent search.
• Verify current address with OSBI, utility records, and credit header
• Attempt service at multiple times/days
• Use notarized affidavit template listing attempts
• Respondent may sign a court-approved acknowledgment of service form (check with the Tulsa County Court Clerk for the current form); ensure notary compliance.
• After exercising due diligence to locate the respondent (which may include multiple attempts at different times and days), court-authorized service by publication in the Tulsa World may be pursued. File proof of publication upon completion.

3. Safety & Risk Assessment

The following are internal firm safety practices used by Just Legal Solutions — they are not statutory requirements.

• Conduct pre-service risk assessment using our internal Lethality Assessment Protocol
• Collaborate with victim advocates and law enforcement as appropriate
• Maintain a two-person team for high-risk service situations
• Use unmarked vehicles and plain clothes when appropriate for server safety

Resource: Tulsa County DV Resource Center contact details should be included in served materials.

4. Documentation & Affidavit Standards

• Server name, badge ID, or private investigator license
• Date, time, location, and recipient description
• GPS coordinates and time-stamped photos (firm practice for enhanced documentation)
• Statements from witnesses (e.g., law enforcement) when applicable
• Use standardized affidavit forms to ensure courts accept them without objection

5. Electronic Service & E-Filing

• Tulsa County supports eService for family law filings under 12 O.S. § 2004.5
• Obtain respondent’s written consent in a verified filing
• Use Court E-Filing system for both filing and service
• Retain delivery receipts, system logs, and email headers
• Backup with personal or mail service if delivery fails

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