The Oklahoma State Public Records Law (73 O.F. Section 18) establishes the right of the public to access government records. The law provides that any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of any public record unless the records are specifically exempted from disclosure by another statute.
Public records are defined as any record that is made or kept by a government entity in Oklahoma. This includes, but is not limited to, records related to criminal justice, vital statistics, taxation, and real property. These records are open to the public for inspection and copying, with some exceptions.
Some types of Public records may be exempt from disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. These include records that are considered confidential or privileged, as well as certain types of law enforcement records.
How to Access Oklahoma Public Records?
Oklahoma state public records are available to the general public and can be accessed through various channels. The Oklahoma Open Records Act (OORA) guarantees residents the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records, with some exceptions.
To request access to public records, contact the relevant government agency or department directly. Each agency has its process for handling open records requests, so it’s important to follow their specific procedures. In most cases, you will need to submit a written request detailing the specific records you wish to access.
Once your request is received, the agency will have five business days to respond. If they are unable to provide the records within that time frame, they may extend the deadline by an additional 10 days. The agency may also charge a reasonable fee for copies of the records.
If you are denied access to public records, you have the right to appeal the decision. For more information on how to access Oklahoma public records, visit the State Attorney General’s website.
Court Records
Court Records are the records of the Oklahoma state court system. The court system is a statewide unified court system that hears cases involving Oklahoma state law. Court Records include both criminal and civil case records. These records are available to the public, but there may be some restrictions on what information is available depending on the type of case and the stage of the case.
Some of the types of cases that may be included in Court Records include:-Criminal Cases-Civil Cases-Dui Cases-Divorce Cases-Child Custody Cases Oklahoma State Court Records can provide valuable information for a variety of purposes, such as researching family history, checking up on a potential business partner, or verifying someone’s criminal record.
Court Records can be accessed online through the Oklahoma Courts website. There is a searchable database of court cases that can be searched by case number, party name, or keyword.
Court Records can also be accessed in person at the State courts. Some Oklahoma state court records are also available through third-party websites. However, it is important to note that not all court records are available online or through third-party websites. Court Records that are available online may be subject to fees or other restrictions.
These records can also help people keep track of cases that may be of interest to them and are a valuable resource for Oklahoma residents and others. Oklahoma State Court Records can help people resolve legal disputes, understand their rights, and hold government officials accountable can also help people protect themselves from fraud or identity theft. Court Records can provide information that is not available through other sources, such as background checks or public records searches. These records can be accessed by anyone with a valid reason for doing so.
Criminal & Arrest Records
Oklahoma Criminal & Arrest Records show a person’s criminal history. This includes arrests, convictions, and any pending criminal cases. These records can be public or private depending on the state laws. State law requires that all criminal history records be open to the public.
People can request Criminal & Arrest Records from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). The OSBI keeps a central repository of all criminal history information for the state of Oklahoma. To request records, people must fill out a form and submit it to the OSBI. There is a fee for this service.
These records are also available from court clerk offices. Each county in Oklahoma has a court clerk who keeps records for that county. To access these records, people must contact the court clerk in the county where the arrest or conviction took place. There may be a fee for this service.
Oklahoma State Criminal & Arrest Records can also be accessed online through private companies. These companies typically charge a fee for their services.
It is important to note that Criminal & Arrest Records only show information on crimes that have been reported to law enforcement. This means that not all crimes will appear on a person’s record. Additionally, these records do not include juvenile records.
Criminal & Arrest Records are an important part of a person’s criminal history. These records can help employers, landlords, and others make informed decisions about the people they are dealing with.
Vital Records
Oklahoma began keeping vital records in 1908. The Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Service (OSDH) is responsible for maintaining and issuing certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates filed in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma law requires that all births be reported within five days of the event. Marriage licenses must be obtained from the county court clerk in the county where the license was issued. Oklahoma does not have centralization of vital records, so each county maintains its records.
The OSDH Vital Records Service can provide certified copies of Oklahoma birth and death certificates filed from January 1908 to the present, Oklahoma marriage certificates filed from July 1891 to the present, and Oklahoma divorce certificates filed from May 6, 1952, to the present. The Oklahoma Historical Society has microfilm copies of Oklahoma birth and death certificates filed from January 1908 to December 1928, Oklahoma marriage certificates filed from July 1891 to December 1949, Oklahoma divorce certificates filed from May 6, 1952, to December 1962, and Oklahoma territorial census records.
To obtain a certified copy of an Oklahoma vital record, you must submit a completed application form with the required identification and fee. You can get a copy of the application form from the OSDH website or by contacting the Vital Records Service.
Birth records are available to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order. Death records are available to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order. Oklahoma marriage records are open to the public, but restrictions may apply to certain confidential marriages. Oklahoma divorce records are open to the public, but restrictions may apply to certain confidential divorces.
For more information on Oklahoma State Vital Records, please visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Service website or contact them at:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Vital Records Service
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
(405) 271-4040
Fax: (405) 271-7610
E-mail: [email protected]
Requesting Oklahoma Vital Records by Mail
You can request Oklahoma vital records by mail by completing the application form and sending it, along with the required identification and fee, to:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Vital Records Service
P.O. Box 53551
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3551
Requesting Oklahoma Vital Records in Person
You can request Oklahoma vital records in person at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Service office located at:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Vital Records Service
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). You must submit the completed application form, required identification, and fee in person.
Vital Records Fees
The fees for Oklahoma vital records are as follows:
- Birth Certificate: $15.00
- Death Certificate: $15.00
- Marriage Certificate: $15.00
- Divorce Certificate: $15.00
Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Vital Records Application Form
The vital records application form can be downloaded from the OSDH website or obtained in person at the Vital Records Service office. The form must be completed and signed by the applicant. If you are requesting a record on behalf of another person, you must also include a notarized authorization form signed by the individual.
Oklahoma Vital Records Identification Requirements
The following identification is required when requesting Oklahoma vital records:
- A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card
- A copy of your birth certificate or other proof of relationship to the registrant (if applicable)
- A completed and signed application form