Oklahoma Public Records
The Oklahoma Open Records Act is a state law that provides the public with access to government records. The Act aims to give the public information about the workings of government and access to government records.
Under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, requesting to inspect or copy most records is not necessary. However, if you will use the records for commercial purposes, a fee may be charged for the cost of providing the records.
How to Find Oklahoma Public Records
Oklahoma does not have a statewide online database of public records. Each government agency is responsible for maintaining its records and making them available to the public.
There are three ways to find public records in Oklahoma:
- In-person: You can visit the government agency office that holds the records you are seeking. Some agencies require an appointment, so it is best to call or book an appointment online.
- By mail: Most agencies will ask that you send your request for records, along with the requirements and fees, by mail.
- Online: Many government agencies have an online presence and will allow you to request records through their website.
You may also use third-party websites to request public records from Oklahoma government agencies. These websites will charge a fee for their services. It is essential to research any company you use to ensure they are reputable and have a good track record of providing public records.
Are Oklahoma Public Records Available Online?
Some public records in Oklahoma are available online. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which maintains criminal history records, has an online database that can be used to request criminal history records.
The Oklahoma State Courts Network also has an online database of court records. This database can be used to find court documents, such as case filings and judgments.
Some local government agencies in Oklahoma also make public records available online. For example, Tulsa County has an online database of inmates.
You will need to make a request in person or by mail for unavailable online records.
What Records Are Available in Oklahoma?
Generally, all records maintained by Oklahoma government agencies are available to the public, with some exceptions.
Below are the most commonly requested types of public records in Oklahoma:
- Criminal Records
- Court Records
- Vital Records
- Property Records
- Driving History
- Arrest and Warrants
- Inmate and Prison Records
- Police Reports
What Records are Non-Public in Oklahoma?
Like other states, Oklahoma has laws that make some public records non-public. These laws help to protect the privacy of individuals and to prevent the misuse of information.
The following types of records are typically considered non-public in Oklahoma:
- Social Security Numbers
- Bank Account Numbers
- Driver’s License Numbers
- Credit Card Numbers
- Medical Records
- Educational Records
- Ongoing Criminal Investigations
- Records of Juveniles
Some types of public records may be released with the redaction of sensitive information. For example, a list of property owners may be released with the names and addresses redacted. This depends on the agency releasing the records and the type of information contained within the documents.
Types of Public Records Available in Oklahoma
Below are common types of public records in Oklahoma:
Oklahoma Public Criminal Records
Criminal records in Oklahoma are public records. This means that anyone can request and view these records. Criminal history records typically contain a detailed account of an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and sentencing information.
In Oklahoma, criminal history records are maintained by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. These records can be requested in person, by mail, or online through the bureau's Criminal History Information Request Portal. This is much faster than ordering a paper copy of your criminal history record.
To request criminal history records online, you first need to set up an account on the portal. Once you have an account, you can log in and request records. The portal will charge a fee for each record requested. ($15 for name-based or $19 for fingerprint-based search)
You can also visit the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in person to request records, fill out the Criminal History Request Form, and submit it to the office.
For mail requests, you can send the form together with the corresponding fees to:
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
6600 N. Harvey
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Oklahoma :
Arrest Records and Warrants
Arrest records serve as an individual’s arrest history and can be found in criminal history records. An arrest record will contain information such as:
- The name and address of the individual
- The date and time of the arrest
- Charges
- Law enforcement agency that made the arrest
Warrants are orders issued by a judge that allows law enforcement to make an arrest. There are several ways to find out warrant records:
- The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
- Local county Sheriff’s office
- Local police department
- Oklahoma Court Records
Depending on the government agency, these can be available online or through the mail.
Inmate and Jail Records
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) maintains a database of all inmates currently incarcerated in state prisons.
The Offender Lookup within the ODOC website contains information about offenders currently under the department's jurisdiction.
The offender database can be searched by:
- Name
- DOC number
- Birth Date
There is no need to register to use this service, and there is no fee for searching for an offender.
Jails and Prisons in Oklahoma :
Oklahoma Background Checks
Oklahoma follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regarding employment background checks. This means that employers can only request information that is relevant to the job.
To order a background check, you must complete a Request for Criminal History Record Check form, which can be obtained from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The form must be notarized and accompanied by the corresponding fees.
The state also adheres to a Ban-The-Box law, which prohibits employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history on the initial job application.
How to find Sex Offenders in Oklahoma
ODOC has a searchable database of all registered sex offenders in Oklahoma. The search can be done by name, appearance, address, or offense.
The registry is updated regularly and contains information such as:
- Name and Aliases
- Physical Identifiers
- DOC number
- Offenses
- Address
- Photo
There is no need to register to use this service, and there is no fee for searching for an offender.
Oklahoma Public Vital Records
The Oklahoma Department of Health is the custodian of all vital records in the state.
Public vital records include:
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce records
To order birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, you can visit the Vital Records Service of the Oklahoma Department of Health via phone, mail, or online through VitalChek.
If you are ordering by mail, you can find the respective forms of each certificate on the department’s website. The completed form, along with the corresponding fees, should be sent to:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 248964
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964
Oklahoma Court Records
The Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) is the Oklahoma judiciary's official website and provides court records access.
You can use the Public Case Lookup tool to search for case information. You will need the name of the person or business, the county where the case was filed, and the case number.
Civil and criminal trial records are requested through the County District Court, while appeals are requested from the Oklahoma Supreme Court Clerk's office. You can submit it electronically and wait for the digital copy, or you can choose to get the records by mail.
State Court System in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma state court system is divided into five levels:
- The Supreme Court
- The Court of Criminal Appeals
- The Court of Civil Appeals
- District Courts
- Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
Courts in Oklahoma :
Driving Records
The Department of Public Safety is the custodian of driving records in Oklahoma.
To obtain a copy of your driving record, you will need to complete a Record Request form and submit the requirements and corresponding fees to:
Department of Public Safety
Records Management Division
P. O. Box 11415
Oklahoma City, OK
You can also access your driving record online here.
Civil Driving Infractions
Civil driving infractions in Oklahoma are recorded in a person's driving history and are visible to the public. These include:
- Speeding
- Driving without insurance
- Running a stop sign
Civil driving infractions do not result in jail time but may come with a fine or a form of community service.
Oklahoma License Plate Lookup
Oklahoma does not have a public license plate lookup system. However, you can use third-party websites to conduct a license plate search. These websites typically charge a fee for their services.
Some private databases may also have access to more information than what is available to the public, such as:
- The registered owner's name and address
- The vehicle's make, model, and year
- The vehicle's VIN
Oklahoma Property and Asset Records Online
Each county in Oklahoma has an Assessor's Office responsible for maintaining property records. These records include information on:
- The owner of the property
- The property's value
- The property's taxes
To search for property records in Oklahoma, you can visit the county assessor's website in the county where the property is located.
For unclaimed properties in the state, the State Treasurer has a website where you can search for unclaimed property.
Important Government Agencies in Oklahoma
Below are some essential government agencies in Oklahoma that maintain public records:
- Secretary of State
- State Governor
- Oklahoma Historical Society
- Oklahoma Legislature
- Oklahoma Attorney General
- Oklahoma Department of Health
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol
- Department of Public Safety
- Oklahoma State Courts Network
- Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
- Department of Public Safety
- Oklahoma Department of Corrections
Counties in Oklahoma
- Adair
- Alfalfa
- Atoka
- Beaver
- Beckham
- Blaine
- Bryan
- Caddo
- Canadian
- Carter
- Cherokee
- Choctaw
- Cimarron
- Cleveland
- Coal
- Comanche
- Cotton
- Craig
- Creek
- Custer
- Delaware
- Dewey
- Ellis
- Garfield
- Garvin
- Grady
- Grant
- Greer
- Harmon
- Harper
- Haskell
- Hughes
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Johnston
- Kay
- Kingfisher
- Kiowa
- Latimer
- Le Flore
- Lincoln
- Logan
- Love
- Major
- Marshall
- Mayes
- Mcclain
- Mccurtain
- Mcintosh
- Murray
- Muskogee
- Noble
- Nowata
- Okfuskee
- Oklahoma
- Okmulgee
- Osage
- Ottawa
- Pawnee
- Payne
- Pittsburg
- Pontotoc
- Pottawatomie
- Pushmataha
- Roger Mills
- Rogers
- Seminole
- Sequoyah
- Stephens
- Texas
- Tillman
- Tulsa
- Wagoner
- Washington
- Washita
- Woods
- Woodward