Are Oklahoma Marriage Records Available to the Public?
Yes. Oklahoma marriage records are public records and available to anyone requesting them. Parties requesting Oklahoma public marriage records must provide identifying information such as:
- Names of the couples on the records
- Wedding dates
- Counties where marriage licenses were issued
Oklahoma County Court Clerks charge for copies of marriage records requested. These fees vary from one county to another. It is also possible to find Oklahoma marriage records online. To view available records, use the Case Search tool available on the Oklahoma State Courts Network website.
Family Court records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain the personal information of those involved and their maintenance is critical should anyone involved wish to make changes. Because of this both marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records, and may not be available through government sources or third-party public record websites.
How to Find Oklahoma Marriage Records
Oklahoma marriage records are proof of legal marital unions contracted in the state. An Oklahoma marriage record is created after the request, issuance, and return of a marriage license to a county court clerk's office. These documents are considered public marriage records (i.e., records accessible to the public by law) and are preserved by county court clerk offices across the state. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2015, Oklahoma began recognizing same-sex couples and providing marriage records for such unions.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Oklahoma
For those wondering how to find out if someone is married in Oklahoma, a county court clerk's office should be the first point of inquiry. Such offices are charged with issuing marriage licenses, filing marriage records, and providing copies of marriage records to requesters. An interested person can start their marriage record search in Oklahoma at the court clerk's office serving the region where a person lives or works. Most often, this will be the office that has information on whether the person of interest is married or not.
Note: Oklahoma public marriage records (and dissolution of marriage records) are not maintained at the state level. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Office of Vital Records issues only birth and death certificates to persons who satisfy established eligibility requirements. While it is true that the Oklahoma Vital Records Office publishes marriage reports on its website, these are merely public statistics about marriages contracted in Oklahoma. For example, the number of Oklahoma marriage licenses a county issued from 1990 through 2021. In other words, the Oklahoma Vital Records Office cannot perform an Oklahoma marriage record search for anyone, nor can this vital statistics office provide paper or online marriage certificates.
How to Check Marriage Status Online
The best way to check marriage status online in Oklahoma is through the Case Search portal managed by the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN). Whenever prospective partners request a marriage license from a county court clerk's office, the office updates this database to list all documents filed and fees paid during the license application process. Thus, the Case Search portal offers convenience and accuracy to persons who wish to find Oklahoma marriage records and determine a person's marital status without visiting or calling a court clerk's office. The tool also helps parties determine if a marriage document is available at a court clerk's office.
Varying criteria exist to conduct an Oklahoma marriage lookup via the OSCN Case Search portal. However, individuals can usually find marriage records using these steps:
- Scroll to the "Search by Party" section.
- Input a spouse's last name into the search box. (Entering a first name, middle name, or birth date helps narrow the search results.)
- Leave the Choose a District or Lower Court Party Type and Appellate Court Case Type menu titles at "All Case Types".
- Select "Marriage License" from the District Court Case Type drop-down list.
- Click "Go".
One can also contact a local court clerk's office to learn how to check marriage status online using the Oklahoma Case Search portal.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Oklahoma?
An Oklahoma marriage record refers to state-issued documents indicating that two individuals (named on the record) have fulfilled all obligations required by the State of Oklahoma to be legally recognized as a married couple. These documents include marriage licenses and certificates of marriage. Oklahoma marriage records are retained and provided by County Court Clerk Offices.
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third-party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third-party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning the availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Oklahoma
Parties must first apply for a marriage license for newlyweds to perform a name change after marriage in Oklahoma. The Social Security Administration (SSA) must also be aware of the name change to reflect on the couple's social security record. Parties can visit any local SSA office to update their record. They will need to submit a copy of their marriage record and proof of identity. The SSA will provide an application form to fill. The party can expect to receive a new social security card two to three weeks after completing the process. This card will have the new name on it.
Parties must then notify the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS). A name change must be reported to any local Oklahoma DPS office within ten days from when the SSA affected the change. In addition, the party will need to bring along a primary ID, a secondary ID, and a copy of their marriage record.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Oklahoma?
An Oklahoma marriage certificate is a vital document that establishes the legal standing of a union between the two individuals named on it. This record is given to the married couple after the solemnization of their union.
How Do I Obtain an Oklahoma Marriage Certificate?
To get a copy of a marriage certificate in Oklahoma, contact the Office of the County Court Clerk that issued the marriage license. For the couple named on the marriage license, a request for a certified copy of a marriage certificate can be made when returning the marriage license.
Orders for copies of marriage certificates can be submitted by mail and in person at the Office of the County Court Clerk. Court clerks do not generally allow requesters to order online. This office charges for each copy of the marriage certificate requested. The fee is determined by the Court Clerk and may vary across different counties. Any request for a marriage certificate in Oklahoma should include:
- Names of the couple on the certificate
- Date of the marriage
An Oklahoma certificate of marriage will only exist if the marriage license was returned and recorded by the County Court Clerk.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Oklahoma?
An Oklahoma marriage license is a formal document required by any two individuals who wish to get married in the state. Receiving a marriage license signifies approval for the two individuals, who will be named on the license, to enter a marital union in the state. Prospective couples must apply for marriage licenses before proceeding with the ceremonies establishing their unions.
Oklahoma Formal Marriage Licenses
A formal Oklahoma marriage license is the typical marriage license issued in the state. It is given by a County Court Clerk to any two individuals who have fulfilled all eligibility requirements and provided the required documents establishing their identities and age. A marriage license issued in Oklahoma is only valid in Oklahoma.
How to Get a Marriage License in Oklahoma
Prospective couples seeking Oklahoma marriage licenses must obtain them from County Court Clerk Offices. In each county, the Clerk of the Court will issue a marriage license to any two individuals who satisfy all the eligibility requirements, provide all necessary documents, and pay the required fee.
Typically, a marriage license costs $50 in Oklahoma. However, if the couple presents an original certificate certifying they successfully completed at least 4 hours of premarital counseling, the fee is reduced to $5. For interested couples, the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative can provide assistance with this counseling class.
Both applicants requesting a marriage license must apply together and in person. They are required to provide acceptable IDs. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Valid driver’s license
- Valid state-issued photo ID
- Passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID
An applicant presenting a foreign ID or passport must also present their birth certificate and a copy that has been translated into English.
Persons who obtained a divorce in Oklahoma State are required by law to wait for 6 months from the date of the divorce decree before applying for a marriage license in the state. The only exception is when the divorced individual is remarrying their former spouse. The clerks do not ask for certified copies of dissolution of marriage records to issue Oklahoma marriage licenses.
Any marriage license issued in Oklahoma is valid for 30 days from the issuance date. The marriage license must be completed and signed by the official who performed the ceremony and two witnesses. Then, this document must be returned to the issuing court clerk's office after the ceremony, 30 days after the license was issued. If the license is not returned, the Oklahoma court clerk will not issue a Certificate of Marriage.
Oklahoma Common-Law Marriage Licenses
Common-law marriages describe arrangements between individuals who have cohabited over a period of time and presented themselves to society as married couples. Such marriages do not require obtaining a formal marriage license or conducting a solemnization ceremony.
To establish evidence of a common-law marriage in Oklahoma, the following conditions must exist:
- Both individuals must be eligible to enter a marriage in Oklahoma
- There must be mutual agreement between the two individuals about the nature of their arrangement
- Both parties must cohabit as a couple
- Both individuals must hold themselves out to the community as being married.
All common-law marriages entered before November 1, 1998, in Oklahoma are valid. However, there is a controversy regarding the status of common-law marriages in the state. While there have been attempts to abolish common-law marriages in the state, there is no reference to an abolishment in any of the relevant statutes. The consensus is that common-law marriages are still valid in Oklahoma, but it is advisable to seek legal advice on this issue.
Are Prenups Public Records in Oklahoma?
No, prenups (short for "prenuptial agreements") are not open to the public in Oklahoma. The State of Oklahoma is yet to adopt the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act or UPAA (like some states do), which outlines how prenuptial agreements should be contracted and executed. Instead, the drafting, legality, and enforcement of prenuptial agreements are subject to statute and case law. (See 1991 OK CIV APP 126,832 P.2d 429 and 43 O.S. §204, for example.) None of these laws make it legal for prenuptial agreements to be disclosable to the public.
Prenups, sometimes called "antenuptial marriage contracts" or "antenuptial agreements" in Oklahoma, refer to the legal documents that prospective spouses prepare and sign - often with a lawyer's assistance - to share property and assets in case of a divorce or death.
