A purchaser of real property shall have the opportunity to retain possession of the abstract for the property being purchased. The purchaser shall be notified about the option to retain possession at the scheduled closing; however, if a contractual obligation to a mortgage company requires retention of the abstract by that mortgage company, then the purchaser shall have an opportunity to take possession of the abstract upon complete performance of the contractual obligations. If a duly licensed abstract company is holding or storing the abstract, upon written request from the owner or the authorized agent of the owner, pursuant to a current transaction, the licensed abstractor shall release the abstract without unnecessary delay. All licensed abstractors and certificate of authority holders who refuse to do so shall be subject to the following:

1. 1. A civil penalty to the requesting party of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each occurrence;
2. 2. Liability in any action for damages, loss or injury suffered or incurred by any person by reason of failure to deliver the abstract pursuant to the provisions of this section. Any civil judgment rendered pursuant to this paragraph may be enforced in the same manner in which other civil judgments may be enforced; and
3. 3. Any administrative penalties and fines enforced by the Oklahoma Abstractors Board.

Laws 2002, HB 2019, c. 36, § 1, eff. November 1, 2002; Renumbered from 74 O.S. § 227.30 by Laws 2007, SB 909, c. 359, § 22, eff. January 1, 2008; Amended by Laws 2017, HB 2303, c. 148, § 1, eff. November 1, 2017 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2021, HB 2501, c. 251, § 2, eff. November 1, 2021 (superseded document available).