Are Oklahoma Vital Records Public?
It depends. While vital records deemed ‘public’ are available to interested persons on request, the disclosure of most records is restricted to persons who qualify as authorized requestors under state laws. The provisions for the management and disclosure of Oklahoma vital record information are outlined in OK Stat § 63-1-323.
What Information Shows Up in Oklahoma Vital Records?
Oklahoma vital records are documents generated following vital events like birth, death, marriage, and divorce. They provide an official account of these occurrences and serve as a means for establishing identity and evaluating community trends to implement favorable public policies.
How Do I Search for Oklahoma Vital Records Online?
Persons authorized to search for vital records may visit the local record custodian’s website or the Oklahoma State Department of Health central repository. Generally, the data required to search for vital records in Oklahoma include the registrant’s personal information, details of the event (including date and location), and relevant file numbers. Armed with this information. Of course, the requestor must provide valid proof of identification and pay the cost of obtaining the record of interest.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
How Do I Obtain Oklahoma Vital Records?
Generally, requests for certified copies require that the requestor prove statutory eligibility by presenting a government-issued ID. Where the requestor is ineligible, a court order will suffice to process the request for certified copies of the vital record of interest. On the other hand, persons who wish to obtain informational copies of vital records need not provide additional documents unless the record custodian specifically requests them.
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
Certified records and informational copies can be distinguished based on legal authority and function. While certified records are official documents that can be used to establish identity and perform a variety of legal functions, informational copies are unofficial and may not be used for purposes other than genealogical research or to satisfy personal curiosity.
Furthermore, certified vital records are issued to eligible persons and often feature an embossed, raised seal demonstrating authority. On the other hand, informational copies feature a disclaimer indicating their limited function, and these copies are often made available to the general public upon request.
Are Oklahoma Marriage Records Public Information?
Yes. Oklahoma marriage records are public information and can be made available to interested persons upon request. However, in the dissemination of certified records, the record custodian may opt to restrict disclosure to persons who meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements may be determined by the information contained in the record or the date and place in which the marriage was licensed. Marriage records include marriage certificates and marriage licenses. Marriage license lookup can be done online, by mail, or in person at County Court Clerk Offices. In addition, a record seeker can conduct a free marriage license records search in Oklahoma. For instance, the Carter County Court Clerk has a Search Oklahoma Court Records tool that individuals can use to find marriage license information.
How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in Oklahoma?
Public marriage records are primarily managed and disseminated by the clerk’s office in the county where the marriage occurred or where the marriage was licensed. Upon confirming the location and contact information of the appropriate record custodian, the requestor must submit a marriage record request by sending a written request to the custodian’s office. These requests must detail information required to facilitate record searches, including:
- The full names of both spouses (including any maiden names)
- The place and the date when the marriage license was issued
- The relationship between the requestor and the registrant(s)
- The requestor's full name, contact information, and mailing address
In addition to providing the above information, requestors must cover the costs of making copies of the marriage record and certifying the documents obtained. Furthermore, the requestor must provide a copy of their government-issued ID for identity confirmation. Contact the Court Clerk of the county where the marriage occurred for more information on how to find marriage records.
How to Get an Oklahoma Marriage Certificate
A record seeker can get an Oklahoma marriage certificate at the Court Clerk's office in the county of the marriage. For instance, interested persons can request marriage certificates of couples who got married in the Canadian County at the Court Clerk’s Office. Requests can be made by using the Record Search tool available on the left bar of the website. Marriage record search can be done online or through the mail during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm) at:
Canadian County Court Clerk
301 N Choctaw
P.O. Box 730
El Reno, OK 73036
Phone: (405) 295-6100
The Oklahoma Historical Society has a database where individuals can request marriage certificates. Requests can also be made by phone at (405) 522-5225 or through the mail by submitting a completed order form alongside the necessary fee of $15 to:
Oklahoma History Center
Attn: Research Center
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Contact the Court Clerk of the county where the marriage occurred or the State Historical Society for more information on how to find marriage records.
Are Oklahoma Divorce Records Public Information?
Yes. Divorce records in Oklahoma are public information. While interested persons may access divorce information upon request, the records available to the public often exclude sensitive information such as the financial history of the divorcees, details of claims or settlement amounts, and other personal information.
How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma divorce records can be obtained by querying the office of the court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. To request these records, interested persons are required to send a written request detailing all the information required to facilitate the record search. The information required includes the full name of the divorcee, the place and date of the divorce, and the case file number of the record. All information pertaining to Oklahoma county courts, as well as their respective contact information, can be obtained using the OSCN Court System Map.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Oklahoma
Individuals can get uncertified divorce certificates dating from 1923 to 1944 at the Oklahoma Historical Society office. Requests can be made online, by phone, or by mail. This is how to order divorce certificates online:
- Go to the Oklahoma Historical Society
- Click on “Research Center” at the top bar of the page
- Click on “Records” from the drop-down
- Conduct a search by first name, last name, or divorce year
The search result will reveal the names of the plaintiff and defendant, the divorce date, and the source. In addition, individuals can order copies of marriage certificates by mail by submitting an order form alongside an express packet service fee of $35 to the Oklahoma History Center.
Alternatively, record seekers would have to contact the court clerk for the county where the divorce was granted to obtain certified copies of marriage certificates in Oklahoma. For instance, individuals can request the dissolution of marriage records of couples who got divorced in Logan County at the Court Clerk's office. Requests can be made online, in person, and by mail at:
Logan County Court Clerk
301 E Harrison, Rm 201
Guthrie, OK 73044
Phone: (405) 282-0123
Copies of dissolution of marriage records cost $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Record seekers who do not know the case number of the record would pay an additional $5 search fee.
Are Oklahoma Birth Records Public Information?
It depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. All Oklahoma birth records are closed until at least 125 years have elapsed after the birth. Within this time span, birth records are strictly available to:
- The person named on the record
- The parent of the subject (if named on the record)
- The attorney of either of the aforementioned parties
- Persons with the legal authority to access the record
After 125 years, these records become public information and may be made available to members of the public as well as genealogists.
How Do I Obtain Oklahoma Birth Records?
Eligible requestors who wish to order birth certificates or replacement birth certificates must contact the Oklahoma Vital Records Office. To obtain the birth record, interested and eligible persons must download and complete the Oklahoma Birth Certificate Request Form or prepare a written request detailing the registrant’s full name, birthdate and birthplace, and parents’ full name. The written request must also include the requestor’s personal information and contact details.
Following this, the requestor must attach a check or money order payment for $15, as well as an acceptable ID, and enclose the application packet in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Requests can be made in person during official working hours or via mail to:
Vital Records
Oklahoma State Department of Health
P.O. Box 248964
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964
Alternatively, eligible individuals can request birth records online or by phone from a third-party vendor approved by the Oklahoma Vital Records Office.
Is a Birth Certificate Public Record in Oklahoma?
Per OK Stat § 63-1-323, birth certificates are confidential until 125 years after the birth. Confidential birth records are open to the record holder, parent, spouse, adult children/grandchildren, grandparents, legal representatives, legal guardians, genealogists, and adoptive parents. When 125 years elapse, public birth records will become open to members of the public. An eligible person can obtain certified copies of the original birth certificate from the Oklahoma Vital Records Office online, by phone, or by mail. The Office also makes replacement birth certificates available to eligible individuals.
Are Oklahoma Death Records Open to the Public?
It depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. Oklahoma state law restricts public access to Oklahoma death records until 50 years after the event occurred. Meanwhile, persons eligible to perform a death certificate search during this confidentiality period include the deceased’s immediate family, legal representatives, and parties armed with a court order. Following the 50 years, interested members of the public may perform a death record search by name and obtain informational copies of public death records.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma death records can be obtained by querying the state Office of Vital Records. To request these records, interested persons must download and complete the Oklahoma Death Certificate Request Form. The completed application must be accompanied by the indicated fees and ID requirements. Enclose the application packet containing the three documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail it to the Vital Records Office.
Is a Death Certificate Public Record in Oklahoma?
Per OK Stat § 63-1-323, death certificates are confidential until 50 years after death. Confidential death records are only open to people acting in the best interest of the deceased, like a legal guardian, children, grandparents, surviving spouse, sibling, legal representatives, and funeral director. When the 50 years elapse, death certificates will be accessible to all. Contact the Oklahoma Vital Records office for further clarity on the question, “Are death certificates public records"?
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Oklahoma
Sealed vital records in Oklahoma may be accessed if the requestor meets the state’s eligibility requirements for challenging a document’s restrictions. The restrictions of a record can be waived if the requesting party sufficiently proves a direct and tangible interest in the record. Interested and eligible persons must petition an Oklahoma-licensed judge to obtain a subpoena or court order. After receiving the order, the requestor may submit the legal authorization along with the application for the vital record of interest.
What are Vital Statistics in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma vital statistics are data gathered on vital events like birth, death, marriage, and divorce, which are evaluated to address health issues like causes of death, improve birth outcomes, and identify high-risk areas for teenage pregnancies. Multiple agencies use vital statistics records for different purposes. For instance, the Social Security Administration uses vital statistics records for administrative and legal purposes, while state government agencies use them to plan and evaluate programs. In addition, researchers use vital statistics to determine health outcomes and population growth.
Per OK Stat § 63-1-323, vital statistics are confidential records. Thus, they are not open to the general public. Only the following individuals can access vital statistics records in Oklahoma:
- The subject of the record
- Someone acting on behalf or working in the best interest of the subject
- Parents of the subject or anyone acting on their behalf
- Legal representatives
- Law enforcement agents
Eligible individuals can review vital statistics by looking through the annual data report provided by the Oklahoma Center for Health Statistics. Also, interested persons can find vital statistics by calling (405) 426-8030 or using the OK2SHARE tool available on the Bureau of Vital Statistics website.
