Stephens County sits in south-central Oklahoma on the rolling red plains between the Arbuckle Mountains and the Wichita Mountains, in a landscape shaped by oil and gas production that made Duncan one of the most economically significant small cities in the nation during the twentieth century. Named for John H. Stephens — a Texas congressman who was an advocate for Oklahoma statehood — the county carries a corporate heritage that few Oklahoma counties can match: Duncan is the birthplace of Halliburton, one of the world’s largest oilfield services companies, founded by Erle P. Halliburton in 1919. Halliburton’s Duncan operations shaped the county’s economy for generations and remain a significant local employer. The county is not subject to McGirt v. Oklahoma.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 42,848, Stephens County is a mid-sized south-central Oklahoma county whose economy today blends oil and gas services (Halliburton and related industry), cattle ranching, county and school district government, healthcare, and manufacturing. Duncan (~20,000) is the county seat and sole significant community. Marlow and Comanche are smaller communities. The rental market in Duncan is moderate — driven by oilfield services employment, healthcare, and government — with rents ranging from $675–$975 per month.
45 days after termination + possession + written demand
Late Fees
Must be in lease; cannot be included in 5-day notice
Entry Notice
24 hours (non-emergency)
Statute
Okla. Stat. tit. 41 (ORLTA)
Stephens County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county rental licensing required. Oklahoma has no statewide landlord licensing statute.
Rent Control
None. Oklahoma has no rent control statute and no local rent stabilization ordinances exist in Stephens County.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap. Deposit must be held in an Oklahoma FDIC-insured financial institution (Okla. Stat. tit. 41 § 115). Must be returned within 45 days after all three triggers: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand by tenant.
14th Judicial District Court — ⚠️ Opens at 8:30 AM
Evictions (FEDs) filed at Stephens County Courthouse: 101 S. 11th St., Duncan, OK 73533. District Court Phone: (580) 470-2000. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM — opens 30 minutes later than many Oklahoma county courts. Stephens County is a single-county 14th Judicial District.
Habitability
ORLTA habitability standards apply (tit. 41 § 118). South-central Oklahoma brings hot summers, cold winters with ice storm risk, tornado exposure, and flash flood risk along the Washita River tributaries. Functioning HVAC is essential in Duncan’s hot, humid summer climate.
Halliburton / Oil & Gas Services
Halliburton — one of the world’s largest oilfield services companies — was founded in Duncan in 1919 and maintains significant Duncan operations. Oilfield services employment in Stephens County is tied to global energy capital expenditure cycles. During active drilling periods, income is strong; during downturns, positions can be significantly reduced. For Halliburton and oilfield services applicants, request multi-year employment documentation and assess current industry activity levels when evaluating lease term appropriateness.
Tribal Jurisdiction
No tribal jurisdiction issues. Stephens County is not subject to McGirt-type reservation analysis. Standard Oklahoma state court FED proceedings apply in full.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide. All tenant removals require a court FED process. Lockouts and utility shutoffs without a court order are illegal under Oklahoma law.
15 (10 to cure; general violations); Immediate (criminal/imminent harm)
Days Notice (Violation)
12-35
Avg Total Days
$$85
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period5 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 5 days to stop eviction
Days to Hearing5-10 (hearing scheduled after filing; summons served at least 3 days before hearing) days
Days to Writ48 hours after judgment (writ of execution served) days
Total Estimated Timeline12-35 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-400
⚠️ Watch Out
5-day notice for nonpayment - rent is late the moment due date passes (no statutory grace period unless lease provides one). Notice must state unpaid amount and termination date (not less than 5 days). Tenant paying in full within 5 days stops eviction. After judgment: tenant gets 48 hours via writ of execution served by sheriff ($50 or actual expenses). CRITICAL: If tenant didn't receive proper notice and default judgment entered, tenant can reverse by paying all rent + costs + attorney fees within 72 hours (12 O.S. § 1148.10B). Abandoned property: 30 days to claim (§ 41-130). Landlord-friendly state with fast process.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court - Small Claims Division - Forcible Entry and Detainer (Title 12 §§ 1148.1-1148.16). Pay the filing fee (~$$85).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Oklahoma eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Oklahoma attorney or local legal aid organization.
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including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Oklahoma requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Halliburton & oilfield services employees: Halliburton’s Duncan operations and the surrounding oilfield services ecosystem are the county’s most distinctive employer. Oilfield services income can be very strong during active drilling cycles but drops significantly in downturns. Request multi-year employment documentation. Evaluate current WTI price environment and capex cycles when assessing lease term appropriateness for oilfield applicants — boom/bust income patterns require careful verification.
Government, healthcare & school employees: County, city, and Duncan Public Schools employment provides stable year-round income. Duncan Regional Hospital is a significant healthcare employer. These are Duncan’s most reliable tenant profiles outside the energy sector. Standard 3x monthly rent verification applies.
Cattle & agricultural workers: Cattle ranching and farming provide some private sector employment. Multi-year income documentation is appropriate for farm operators. Standard verification for agricultural workers.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Stephens County Oklahoma Landlord-Tenant Law: Complete Guide for Duncan & South-Central Oklahoma Rental Property Owners
Stephens County occupies south-central Oklahoma on the rolling red plains between the Arbuckle and Wichita Mountain ranges — oil country in the truest sense, shaped by the discovery of petroleum in the early twentieth century and permanently defined by a company name that echoes across the global energy industry. Duncan, the county seat (~20,000), is the birthplace of Halliburton — Erle P. Halliburton founded his oil well cementing company in Duncan in 1919 with a single wagon, a water truck, and a vision that would grow into one of the world’s largest oilfield services corporations. Named for John H. Stephens — a Texas congressman who advocated for Oklahoma statehood — the county was created in 1907 and grew rapidly with successive oil booms through the twentieth century.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 42,848, Stephens County’s economy blends Halliburton and related oilfield services employment, cattle ranching, county and school district government, Duncan Regional Hospital healthcare, and some manufacturing. Halliburton’s employment in Duncan is significant but tied to global oil and gas capital expenditure cycles — boom-and-bust energy price swings affect local employment and, by extension, the rental market. Marlow (~4,500) and Comanche are smaller communities. No tribal jurisdiction issues apply. Rents in Duncan range from $675 to $975 per month.
The ORLTA in Stephens County
All residential rental relationships in Stephens County are governed by the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORLTA), codified at Oklahoma Statutes Title 41. No local ordinances modify the ORLTA in Stephens County. There is no rental licensing requirement and no rent control. For nonpayment, a five-day pay-or-quit notice (rent only — no late fees) is required before filing a FED. For other lease violations, a fifteen-day notice to cure or quit is required. Month-to-month tenancies require thirty days’ written notice. Non-emergency entry requires twenty-four hours’ advance notice. Security deposits have no cap but must be held in an FDIC-insured Oklahoma institution. Self-help eviction is prohibited statewide.
Eviction Procedure at the 14th Judicial District Court
FED actions in Stephens County are filed at the Stephens County Courthouse, 101 S. 11th St., Duncan, OK 73533, district court phone (580) 470-2000. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM — opens 30 minutes later than many Oklahoma county courts. Stephens County constitutes its own single-county 14th Judicial District. After the applicable notice period expires, the landlord files the FED petition, pays the filing fee, and is assigned a hearing date.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Stephens County District Court at (580) 470-2000 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Courthouse opens at 8:30 AM. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Stephens County District Court at (580) 470-2000 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
