OK SB1513

Establishes covenant marriage as an optional marriage type in Oklahoma where couples declare marriage is a lifelong commitment and agree to participate in premarital counseling covering the nature, purpose, and responsibilities of marriage.

Requires couples seeking covenant marriage to execute a declaration of intent with a specific covenant recitation, notarized affidavits confirming counseling completion, and counselor verification of discussions about covenant marriage grounds and termination.

Permits existing married couples domiciled in Oklahoma to designate their marriage as a covenant marriage on or after November 1, 2016, by filing a declaration of intent with the district court clerk.

Imposes stricter divorce requirements for covenant marriages: couples must complete minimum 6 hours of counseling within 3 months of filing, cannot obtain final divorce decree until 1 year after counseling completion (or 15 months from filing with good cause), and may only divorce on grounds listed in standard marriage law.

Court may waive the waiting period and grant immediate divorce decree after counseling completion if court finds waiver in best interest of parties, based on counselor recommendations; becomes effective November 1, 2016.