Any number of persons, being citizens of the United States, not less than seven, five of whom shall also be citizens and residents of the state of Oklahoma, desiring to form a mutual benefit association, may associate themselves together and effect such organization in the manner provided in this section and as otherwise provided in this article for reorganization of associations now doing business in this state, and not otherwise. Articles of association shall be prepared in triplicate in the manner hereinafter provided, and submitted to the Insurance Commissioner for approval. If the name selected for an association is not the same or so near the same as that of another association or corporation doing business in this state as to cause confusion in the minds of the people, and the objects of the association conform to the provisions of this article, the Insurance Commissioner shall endorse on the back of each copy of said articles of association the fact that the Commissioner has approved the same. Before the Insurance Commissioner shall approve such articles of association, it shall be shown to the Commissioner by the sworn statement of one or more of the proposed incorporators that at least one thousand persons have signed, in good faith, applications for benefit membership in such proposed association, and paid to the proper one of such proposed incorporators the amount of one death or mortuary collection, by whatever name it may be called, and that such money is deposited with some bank or trust company and is held for the special purpose named. For such examination and approval of the articles of association herein mentioned, the Insurance Commissioner shall charge and receive a fee as stated in Section 321, Article 3 of this title. Provided, however, that before such incorporators, or any of them, or any person or persons, shall solicit members or collect any money whatever from any applicant in an association formed, or to be formed, under this article, they shall first furnish to the Insurance Commissioner a surety bond running to the State of Oklahoma, to be approved by the Commissioner, in the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) Dollars, conditioned that all sums collected, or to be collected, from applicants for benefit membership in such association will be promptly returned to respective applicants in case the articles of incorporation are not approved or no certificate of incorporation is granted within one (1) year from the date of the filing of such bond, or in case the association fails to accept said charter and in good faith conduct the business of a mutual benefit association authorized thereby. Upon the filing of said bond, the Insurance Commissioner shall issue a certificate to that effect, showing that the person or persons named therein are authorized to solicit members in such proposed association and to collect dues and assessments in advance. When the foregoing conditions are complied with and the articles of association are approved by the Insurance Commissioner, as hereinbefore provided, one copy thereof shall be filed with the Secretary of State, whereupon the said Secretary shall issue a certificate of incorporation and affix the Seal of the State thereto, and one copy, approved as hereinbefore provided, shall be delivered to the incorporators of such association, and the third approved copy of such articles shall be filed with the Insurance Commissioner. Such articles of association shall be substantially in the following form:

First. The preamble shall name the incorporators and give the residence of each and the fact of their citizenship, as herein required, and express their desire to incorporate a mutual benefit association in accordance with and under the provisions of this article, making definite reference to the same.

Second. Article I shall give the name of the association.

Third. Article II shall state the location of the principal office of the association.

Fourth. Article III shall state the objects of the association and the plans by which these objects are to be carried out, including the extreme limit of age of persons to whom benefit certificates may be issued, which limit of age shall not exceed seventy-two (72) years.

Fifth. Article IV shall state the names of the persons selected to manage the business or prudential affairs of the association for the first term, for which such persons are to be elected, the title of all officers and the names of such officers, with their residence, if they have been selected.

Sixth. Article V shall contain a description of the corporate seal adopted by such association, together with an impress of the same.

The articles of association shall be signed and acknowledged by each of the incorporators.

Added by Laws 1957, p. 314, § 2402, operative July 1, 1957. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 215, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2010.