PONCA TRIBE OF INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA
TRIBAL DISTRICT COURT

The District Court of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma holds court sessions approximately 4 times a month. We do not have Court on some holidays (see dates below). This Court hears Civil cases on Tuesdays and Criminal, Juvenile (beginning 1 hour after start time listed below), and Child Support cases on Fridays. This Court can only hear Criminal and Civil cases arising within the territorial jurisdiction of the Ponca Tribe.


2026 Court Dates​

Day of Week	Date	Start Time	Judge
Friday	9-Jan	10	tripp
Tuesday	13-Jan	10	Lane
Friday	23-Jan	10	Tripp
Tuesday	27-Jan	10	Lane
Friday	6-Feb	10	Tripp
Tuesday	10-Feb	10	Lane
Tuesday	24-Feb	10	Lane
Friday	27-Feb	10	Tripp
Tuesday	10-Mar	10	Lane
Friday	13-Mar	11	Tripp
Friday	20-Mar	10	Tripp
Tuesday	24-Mar	10	Lane
Tuesday	14-Apr	10	Lane
Friday	17-Apr	10	Tripp
Friday	24-Apr	10	Tripp
Tuesday	28-Apr	10	Lane
Friday	8-May	11	Tripp
Tuesday	12-May	10	Lane
Friday	22-May	10	Tripp
Tuesday	26-May	10	Lane
Tuesday	9-Jun	10	Lane
Friday	12-Jun	11	Tripp
Tuesday	23-Jun	10	Lane

Day of  Week	Date	Start Time	Judge
Friday	26-Jun	10	Tripp
Friday	10-Jul	11	Tripp
Tuesday	14-Jul	10	Lane
Friday	24-Jul	10	Tripp
Tuesday	28-Jul	10	Lane
Tuesday	11-Aug	10	Lane
Friday	14-Aug	11	Tripp
Tuesday	25-Aug	10	Lane
Friday	28-Aug	10	Tripp
Tuesday	8-Sep	10	Lane
Friday	11-Sep	11	Tripp
Tuesday	22-Sep	10	Lane
Friday	9-Oct	11	Tripp
Tuesday	13-Oct	10	Lane
Friday	23-Oct	10	Tripp
Tuesday	27-Oct	10	Lane
Friday	6-Nov	10	Tripp
Tuesday	10-Nov	10	Lane
Friday	20-Nov	10	Tripp
Friday	4-Dec	10	Tripp
Tuesday	8-Dec	10	Lane
Friday	18-Dec	10	Tripp

​Please note that these dates are tentative only.

Please contact the Court to confirm when Court is in session.

Thank you!

​Civil Action Fee Schedule:
Filing fee for any Complaint, Petition, or other original action - $65.00
Any proceeding to modify, vacate, or a contempt citation after judgment is final - $25.00

Service Fees:
Certified Mail - $20.00
Process Server Within White Eagle - $40.00
Process Server Outside White Eagle - $50.00 and Up
Publication - $75 and Up

Admission to Practice:
Application to Practice - $100.00
Renewal (Annual Fee) - $50.00

MONEY ORDERS AND DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS ONLY
No cash or checks accepted!
Court forms are located below.

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          Adoption

adoption packet
File Size:	446 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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              Civil

civil complaint
File Size:	44 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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​Custody

custody packet
File Size:	175 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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judicial order for proper conduct of separated or divorced parents
File Size:	81 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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standard visitation schedule
File Size:	63 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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standard long distance visitation schedule
File Size:	79 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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visitation packet
File Size:	182 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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​                     Divorce

automatic temporary injunction
File Size:	93 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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consent to jurisdiction and waiver
File Size:	44 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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divorce with children packet
File Size:	477 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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divorce without children packet
File Size:	321 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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judicial order for proper conduct of separated or divorced parents
File Size:	81 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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standard visitation schedule
File Size:	63 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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standard long distance visitation schedule
File Size:	79 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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​Guardianship

guardianship for adult packet
File Size:	255 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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guardianship for minor child packet
File Size:	363 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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guardianship report
File Size:	122 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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motion to vacate guardianship
File Size:	92 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Miscellaneous

blank motion form
File Size:	64 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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change of contact information
File Size:	60 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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guide to how court clerks can and cannot help
File Size:	54 kb
File Type:	pdf

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motion for party to appear via telephone or zoom
File Size:	93 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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paupers affidavit
File Size:	97 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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request for records
File Size:	128 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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​Name Change

name change of adult packet
File Size:	159 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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name change of minor child packet
File Size:	157 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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​Ponca Tribe Bar Association

application for ptba
File Size:	117 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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renewal application for ptba
File Size:	155 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Probate

petition for administrator of estate
File Size:	76 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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​Protective Order

protective order packet
File Size:	479 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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    Small Claims

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​Rules:
The Court Clerk or File Clerk is NOT permitted under ethics, code, or court rules to do the following:
• Provide legal advice.
• Interpret court rules.
• Help prepare arguments.
• Type pleadings.

Please do NOT ask the Court Clerk or Filing Clerk to provide any of the services listed above. You should consult or retain an attorney for assistance or ask any questions pertaining to legal procedures, filing petitions, or pleadings.

The Court Clerk CAN do the following:
• Provide forms for petitions and pleadings.
• Answer questions concerning filed and scheduled pleadings.

​
Notice:
ALL COVID RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED.
Ponca Tribal Court is open to the public.

Court Staff:
Court Administrator/Clerk – Dawn Nicholas
Probation Officer/Bailiff - Napoleon Elston
File Clerk – Julie Browning ​
Chief District Judge - Charles Tripp
Associate District Judge - Tom Lane
Chief Appellate Judge - Lisa Otipoby
Associate Appellate Judge - Robert Gifford 
Associate Appellate Judge - Andrew Casey
Prosecutor – Tahlina Nofire
Public Defender - Greg Dark
Guardian Ad Litem – Trisha Archer

Court House Hours:
Monday - Friday​
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

For more information:
Dawn Nicholas 
[email protected]
(580) 762-0381 - Main Line
​(580) 749-7258 - Direct Line
(580) 576-0747 - Cell Phone
​206 Starting Point Dr
Ponca City, OK 74601