Oklahoma Parenting Classes for Divorce: Requirements and Approved Programs

If you are getting divorced in Oklahoma and have minor children, you must complete a parenting education class before the court will finalize your case. This is not optional — it is a statutory requirement under 43 O.S. § 107.2, and your divorce cannot be granted until both parents file certificates of completion.

What the Law Requires

Under Section 107.2, both parents must attend an approved educational program in any court action involving the interests of a minor child. This includes divorce, separate maintenance, paternity, guardianship, and custody modification cases filed on the basis of incompatibility.

The program must be educational, not therapeutic. It covers:

• Short-term and long-term effects of divorce on children
• Communication strategies to reduce co-parenting conflict
• The availability of reconciliation resources
• Recognizing and addressing family violence
• Local community resources for families in transition

Deadlines

The class must be completed before the court issues a temporary order, or within 45 days of receiving a temporary order. A final custody disposition cannot be entered until both parties have completed the program and filed their certificates with the court clerk.

In Tulsa County, many judges require the class to be completed before the Parenting Plan Conference — the mandatory settlement meeting where parents present their proposed parenting plan. Missing this deadline can delay your case.

Approved Programs

Oklahoma approves several programs statewide. Each county may have its own preferred options, but these are widely accepted:

In-person programs:

• Directions in Divorce — offered through Crossroads Youth & Family Services in Cleveland County
• Helping Children Cope with Divorce — through Family & Children's Services in Tulsa
• Parent Promise — available in multiple counties

Online programs:

• Co-Parenting for Resilience — administered by Oklahoma State University. This option works for parents who cannot attend in person due to work schedules, distance, or safety concerns.

Cost

Fees range from $10 to $60, set by statute. If you qualify as indigent, the fee may be waived. Some free programs are available depending on your county and income level.

Waivers

Waivers of the parenting education requirement are extremely rare. The court may grant one for good cause — most commonly when there is a documented history of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment that makes attendance at a group class with the other parent unsafe. Even then, the court typically requires the affected parent to complete an alternative individualized program.

Filing Your Certificate

After completing the course, you receive a certificate of completion. File this with the court clerk in the county where your case is pending. Keep a copy for your records. Both parents must file independently — one parent's completion does not satisfy the other's requirement.

Timing It Right

Many parents treat the parenting class as an afterthought and then scramble when their court date approaches. Complete it early in the process — ideally within the first few weeks of filing. This avoids delays and shows the court you are taking the process seriously.

The Oklahoma Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a complete timeline showing when to complete and file your parenting class certificate relative to your other court deadlines, so nothing falls through the cracks.

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