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Oklahoma Public Records

Public records can provide a wealth of information. The Oklahoma state government records everything from births and deaths to inmates and court cases.

While the documents are helpful, they can be challenging to find, request, and receive.

This is mainly because most public records are rarely in the same state agency and are found across several departments.

Knowing how to maneuver the process can save you time and energy.

Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.

Table of Contents

What does the Oklahoma public records law say?

Oklahoma says it is the inherent right of all citizens to obtain, preview, and examine the more than 35 million public records on file by the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which grants review of government records.

All government agencies in Oklahoma must designate an officer for public records to receive and process all requests made by the general public.

In Oklahoma, there are no mandatory response times, administrative appeals, or citizenship requirements to request documents.

Unless there is a request that is particularly painstaking and long, the fees associated with copying documents are nominal.

The legislature and judiciary are also subjected to public records requests, with some exceptions for executive records.

How can I access public records in Oklahoma?

For public records access in Oklahoma, a person may need to submit an open records request, a standard request form. In some cases, however, online resources provide 24/7 access; no request is required.

If a request is necessary, it can be sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

  • Your name
  • Contact information
  • The name of the document
  • Details about the document
  • A time frame that you would like to receive the materials by
  • Document delivery method, mail or email

Oklahoma criminal records

The summary of a person’s criminal history is known as a criminal record. It’s also referred to as a rap sheet, which consists of convictions and arrests. These records are maintained by local law enforcement agencies.

The majority of criminal records requested in Oklahoma are by employers who need a background check on a potential employee.

Some misdemeanors and traffic violations are not listed on an Oklahoma criminal record.

Hiring an employee who will not tarnish your business name is good and, in some cases, may keep your other employees safe.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation maintains all criminal history information.

What’s on an Oklahoma criminal record?

A criminal record provides a detailed report of a person’s interactions with various police departments in the state.

The information stems from multiple sources and includes arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s nine prisons.

The criminal record you receive will provide you with this pertinent information:

  • Date of birth
  • Driver license number
  • Photograph/mugshot
  • Fingerprints
  • Current and past addresses
  • Former arrest records
  • Current and past warrants
  • Sex offender registry status

Where can I find Oklahoma criminal records?

Oklahoma criminal records can be accessed through the OSBI ’s repository, but for the fastest results, requests should be directed towards the new online criminal history request portal, the Criminal History Information Request Portal.

Alternatively, a request can be made by filling out a criminal history request form, submitting a fax, mailing, or going in-person to the OSBI at their address in Oklahoma City, accepting payment forms are cash (if requesting in person), cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. Requests via mail must also include a postage-paid envelope.

Oklahoma Inmate Records

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) manages the state’s prison system and is responsible for managing and providing security for more than two dozen facilities.

Inmate records in Oklahoma contain offender information and their location within the state’s correctional centers, penitentiaries, and county jails.

What’s on an Oklahoma inmate record?

The information listed on inmate records varies from state to state. The records usually contain personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration situation in Oklahoma.

Public access to inmate records can provide the following information when accessed:

  • Name and aliases
  • Date of Birth
  • Height and weight
  • DOC ID
  • Booking photo
  • Assigned location
  • Sentence summary

Where can I find Oklahoma inmate records?

You will visit the Oklahoma Department of Corrections OK Offender database to access the inmate record.

By entering a person’s ID number or first and last name, the database can provide a record instantly.

Additional records can be procured by contacting the administrative assistant or records coordinator of the DOC Offenders Records Department.

Mail-in requests are also possible via the department located in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Court Records

All state, civil, criminal, and appellate cases are available through the Oklahoma State Courts Network to the general public.

In some civil cases, documents that have been filed with the county clerk can be scanned and downloaded free of charge.

What’s on an Oklahoma court record?

A court record usually contains specific information that was presented during a trial. You’ll find copies of evidence, witness testimonies, and expert reports inside court records.

Court records that you can obtain are:

  • Court minutes
  • Case files
  • Dockets
  • Orders of the court, including child support
  • Judgment documentation
  • Jury records and files
  • Witness documentation
  • Case information

Where can I find Oklahoma court records?

Oklahoma State Courts Network provides a searchable database of court records in the state.

The website lets you search by the court, including all county courts, by name or case number.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for through the website, Oklahoma provides a list of contacts that can be used to track down and access records.

For civil and criminal trials, contact the county District Court where the case is pending; for appeals, contact the Oklahoma Supreme Court Clerk’s Office; and for administrative matters, the executive office of the court should be contacted.

You may need to provide the case type and submit a Request for Court Records form in some cases.

Here are the steps for processing requested records, as well as the turnaround times:

  • Submit a request electronically via the Request for Records form
  • Expect to be contacted within ten business days to confirm fees due
  • Pay via cashier’s check or money order
  • Upon receipt of payment, allow ten business days for processing

The fees are $1 for the first page, followed by .50 cents for each additional page copied for copies of records. Payment is possible via mail to the office of the Oklahoma County Court Clerk, with a self-addressed envelope necessary when remitting the fee for copies.

Oklahoma Vital Records

The Oklahoma State Department of Health maintains vital records in the state.

Oklahoma’s vital records include:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Death Certificates
  • Marriage Licenses
  • Divorce Decrees

Public record requests for vital records in Oklahoma will vary depending on the document you are requesting.

Dept. Vital Records – Oklahoma Department of Health
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
PO Box 248964
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964

What information do I need to request an Oklahoma birth certificate?

The Oklahoma Birth Certificate Request Form will ask for specific information when ordering a birth record.

  • Full name on the birth record
  • Gender
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Parents’ full name before marriage

Where can I find an Oklahoma birth certificate?

You can order an Oklahoma birth certificate online using VitalChek.

Or, you can request a certified copy of an Oklahoma birth record by completing the Oklahoma Birth Certificate Request Form and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified birth certificate in Oklahoma is $15.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Death Certificate Request Form will ask for specific information when ordering a death record.

  • Full name on the death record
  • Date of death
  • Place of death

Where can I find an Oklahoma death certificate?

You can order an Oklahoma death certificate online using VitalChek.

Or, you can request a certified copy of an Oklahoma death record by completing the Oklahoma Death Certificate Request Form and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified death certificate in Oklahoma is $15.

What information do I need for a marriage certificate in Oklahoma?

The Clerk of Courts maintains marriage records in Oklahoma.

Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the marriage certificate’s jurisdiction.

Where can I find an Oklahoma marriage certificate?

You will need to contact the Clerk of Courts or City Clerk where the marriage license was issued to obtain a copy.

Example – Muskogee City Clerk
Muskogee City Clerk Request Forms
City of Muskogee
City Clerk
PO Box 1927
Muskogee, OK 74401-1927

Phone number: 918-682-6602

What information do I need for a divorce certificate in Oklahoma?

The Clerk of Courts maintains marriage records in Oklahoma.

Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the marriage certificate’s jurisdiction.

Where can I find an Oklahoma divorce certificate?

You will need to contact the Clerk of Courts or City Clerk where the marriage license was issued to obtain a copy.

Example – Tulsa County District Court – County Court Clerk
Tulsa County Court Clerk Website
218 W 6th St
7th floor
Tulsa, OK 74103

Phone number: 918-596-5420

Oklahoma Property Records

The Oklahoma County Recorder maintains all property records in the state.

The property records you can access include:

  • Liens
  • Land records
  • Titles
  • Property deeds
  • Real estate information
  • Mortgages
  • Property tax assessment records
  • Zoning information
  • Probate

For data, parcel, and land use maps, you will need to contact the Geographic Information System(GIS) to ask about public access.

What information do I need to request property records in Oklahoma?

You will need basic information to access a public property record in Oklahoma.

Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the County Assessor’s Office where the property record is maintained.

Where can I find an Oklahoma property record?

You will need to contact the Oklahoma County Assesors’s Office where the property record is maintained.

Example – Oklahoma County Assessor
Oklahoma County Assessor Website

Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office
320 Robert S Kerr Ave #315
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Phone number: 405-713-1200

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents of the state of Oklahoma?

Oklahoma public records laws do not have a residency requirement in its constitution.

In other words, you can live anywhere in the United States and request public records.

Is there a records custodian in Oklahoma?

It’s public policy for each agency to designate a records custodian under the Oklahoma Constitution.

What exemptions exist for public records requests in Oklahoma?

Some exemptions cover state evidentiary privilege, personnel records, real estate appraisals, sex offender registration files, personnel notes on public officials, business-related bids, medical market research, computer programs, and some educational records that include student records.

More information can be found through the NFOIC regarding exemptions listed in Oklahoma statutes.

How long does Oklahoma have to respond to a public records request?

Although it is the public’s right to access records, the state doesn’t specify a date range for a response.

Typically requests are handled promptly.

Is there an appeals process in place for public records requests in Oklahoma?

In some states, the Attorney General handles the appeals process, but in Oklahoma, appeals go to the courts.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Oklahoma?

Request fees generally cover the nominal costs for fulfilling requests and are not to exceed 25 cents per page.

However, for some requests that are classified as commercial, additional fees may apply.

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