OK| Oklahoma Insurance Department Bulletin No. 2026-06, issued October 30, 2026, outlines changes enacted by Senate Bill 1876 to 36 O.S. § 621, effective November 1, 2026, concerning agents for service of process for authorized foreign and alien insurers. The legislation permits insurers to designate an eligible agent other than the Insurance Commissioner, establishes electronic filing and timely updating requirements, and provides an alternative method of service when registered-agent information is incorrect. Key changes and related implementation requirements include:
- Incorrect-agent safeguard—§ 621(E): A person who reasonably relies on the Commissioner’s registered-agent list and serves otherwise valid process on an incorrectly listed agent may instead serve the Commissioner. If that person exercises due diligence in serving the Commissioner, the applicable statute of limitations is tolled from the incorrect agent’s receipt of process until the Commissioner receives it.
- Expanded agent options—§ 621(A): Insurers may appoint the Insurance Commissioner, an Oklahoma resident, or a person authorized to do business in Oklahoma to receive legal process, other than subpoenas, arising from their business in the state.
- Electronic registration and updates—§ 621(D): Insurers selecting an agent other than the Commissioner must electronically submit the agent’s name and address, pay any applicable fee, and report changes within five business days. Agent information must remain current and publicly available.
- Filing and public-record requirements: The Department directs insurers to submit UCAA Form 12 through the NAIC UCAA portal using a Corporate Amendment Application or, when applicable, a Primary Application. Until the form is updated, insurers selecting a resident agent should check the Oklahoma box and complete Exhibit B with the agent’s information. Insurers must also ensure their NAIC State Based Systems (SBS) profiles display current agent contact information.