A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Oklahoma
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma oversees bankruptcy cases for the northeastern and northern regions of the state from its Tulsa courthouse.
This overview provides essential details on the clerk’s office, court staff, contact information for the Chief Bankruptcy Judge, and key information needed for filing and managing cases within the Northern District.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Court Location and Jurisdiction
The Northern District of Oklahoma operates from the Tulsa location. Counties within the Northern District include Craig, Creek, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa, and Washington.
General Court Contact & Location
The Clerk’s Office handles records management and general case information, though statutory restrictions under state and federal law prohibit court personnel from offering legal advice. Only an attorney can provide legal advice.
For example, while staff can supply the paperwork necessary to initiate bankruptcy proceedings, they are prohibited from instructing individuals on how to complete those forms.
Tulsa Clerk’s Office Contact Information
- Location: 224 S. Boulder Ave., Suite 105, Tulsa, OK 74103.
- General Phone: (918) 699-4000.
- Clerk of Court: Jole Ann Awtrey.
Security Reminder: Federal courthouses have strict identification policies and security screening requirements. Make sure to review the court’s website for additional information.
Northern District of Oklahoma Bankruptcy Statistics
The following table outlines the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings for the Northern District of Oklahoma for the years 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 1,765 | 228 | 1,993 |
| 2024 | 1,574 | 184 | 1,758 |
| 2023 | 1,330 | 183 | 1,513 |
Source: Oklahoma Northern Bankruptcy Court District.
Filing Fees
Bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Filing fees for cases filed electronically through CM/ECF must be paid online via Pay.gov.
Pro se filers can also pay filing fees with a cashier’s check or money order directly at the Tulsa Clerk’s Office. Note that personal checks are not accepted by the clerk, and they do not provide change.
Below are the filing fees for Chapter 7 and 13.
| Chapter | Fee Amount |
| Chapter 7 | $338 |
| Chapter 13 | $313 |
Filing Fee Options
Debtors pursuing Chapter 7 relief can petition the court for permission to pay their filing fee in up to four installments (Official Form 103A), with the payment generally due within 120 days of the petition date. However, the bankruptcy judge does have the discretion to extend the deadline up to 180 days upon a showing of cause.
Additionally, the court may waive the filing fee altogether under 28 U.S.C. 1930(f) if the debtor’s household income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for a household of equivalent size and the debtor lacks the financial capability to pay the fee through installments. See Official Form 103B.
Below are the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
| Persons in Family Unit | 48 Contiguous States & D.C. (Monthly) |
| 1 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $6,965.00 |
| Each additional person adds | $710.00 |
Gaining Access and Following Your Case on PACER
Monitoring the progress of a bankruptcy case is done via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), the federal judiciary’s official online portal for all federal cases.
Establishing a free account enables individuals to follow case updates such as proof of claim filings by creditors. Every quarter, PACER allows up to $30 in usage, with ten cents per page when that threshold is reached. How to sign up for and use PACER can be seen in this prior article.
Alternatively, automated telephone inquiries remain available via the Multi‑Court Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS) at 1‑866‑222‑8029 for verbal status lookups.
Bankruptcy Judge & Chambers Contact Information
The Northern District of Oklahoma bankruptcy proceedings are overseen by Chief Judge Paul R. Thomas.
| Contact Type | Details |
| Presiding Judge | Chief Judge Paul R. Thomas |
| Chambers | (918) 699-4065 |
| Courtroom Deputy | (918) 699-4050 |
| Proposed Orders Email | thomas.orders@oknb.uscourts.gov |
As with all districts, local rules, general orders, and judge-specific preferences govern practice. Always review the bankruptcy judge’s specific page for current procedures.
Conclusion
The Northern District of Oklahoma bankruptcy court is located in Tulsa. Whether filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, debtors must understand how median income, exemptions, and trustee review affect case outcomes. Because these factors vary by state, filers should review Oklahoma’s exemption laws and current means test figures before preparing a petition.
Professor Hernandez is an attorney specializing in consumer finance and debt relief. He is the author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge) and teaches law and finance courses in both English and Spanish at an international university.
Educational Resources
- For Institutions: Colleges and universities may request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
- For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
- Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Bankruptcy.blog YouTube Channel.
Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources
Explore additional consumer guides and state-specific directories to navigate your legal options:
- A step-by-step master guide to completing and understanding the bankruptcy petition.
- Bankruptcy Court Directory: Full listings for the federal bankruptcy court system and trustee contact information.
- State Bankruptcy Exemptions: Review your state‑specific exemptions or compare them with the federal exemptions.
- 341 Meeting Procedures: Prepare for your court date with updated rules, expectations, and practical guidance.
Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.
Bankruptcy References and Official Forms
- Official Form 103A. Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments.
- Official Form 103B. Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.
- 28 U.S. Code §1930 – Bankruptcy fees.
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