Oklahoma County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Oklahoma County?

Public records in Oklahoma County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and agencies pursuant to Oklahoma state law. These records document government activities, property ownership, legal proceedings, and vital statistics. The Oklahoma County government maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Property deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property tax assessment information maintained by the Oklahoma County Assessor and County Clerk
Court Records - Civil and criminal case filings, judgments, orders, and other judicial documents maintained by the Oklahoma County Court Clerk
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (limited access based on date and relationship)
Business Records - Business licenses, fictitious business name statements, and trade name registrations
Election Records - Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the Oklahoma County Election Board
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, tax liens, and payment records maintained by the Oklahoma County Treasurer
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, and jail records maintained by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office
Land Records - Plat maps, surveys, and land use documents
Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of public meetings held by county boards and commissions

These records are maintained in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records with certain exceptions for confidential information.

Is Oklahoma County an Open Records County?

Oklahoma County operates as an open records county in compliance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This comprehensive state law establishes that all records of public bodies and public officials are open to any person for inspection, copying, or mechanical reproduction during regular business hours, unless specifically exempted by law.

The Oklahoma Open Records Act explicitly states in § 24A.2 that "the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government" and that the purpose of the Act is "to ensure and facilitate the public's right of access to and review of government records so they may efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power."

Oklahoma County government agencies are required to:

Provide prompt, reasonable access to records
Designate special record custodians responsible for handling records requests
Establish reasonable procedures for record access during regular business hours
Charge only reasonable fees for document searches and copies

The Oklahoma County Clerk, serving as the county's official recorder, maintains a public records portal that facilitates access to many county records. Additionally, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office provides guidance on open records compliance and can investigate alleged violations of the Act.

How Do I Find Public Records in Oklahoma County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records in Oklahoma County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public documents. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to records access:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours
Complete a records request form specifying the documents needed
Present valid identification when required for certain records
Pay applicable fees for searches and copies

Online Access:

Use the Oklahoma County Public Records Portal for digital access to many county records
Search property records through the Oklahoma County GIS & Property Lookup system
Access court records via the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network
Review county meeting minutes and agendas on the Oklahoma County website

Written Requests:

Submit a written request to the appropriate department by mail, email, or fax
Include specific information about the records sought, including dates, names, and document types
Provide contact information for follow-up questions or document delivery
Allow 5-10 business days for processing as stipulated by Oklahoma law

Specialized Records:

Vital records (birth/death certificates): Contact the Oklahoma Department of Public Health
Business filings: Contact the Oklahoma Secretary of State
Criminal history: Contact the Oklahoma Department of Corrections or Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office
Federal court records: Access through PACER

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Oklahoma County?

The cost to obtain public records in Oklahoma County is established pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act and county fee schedules. Fees are designed to recover reasonable document reproduction costs rather than generate revenue.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified copies: $1.00 per certification plus copy fees
Electronic records: $0.25 per page for scanned documents or $7.50 per CD/DVD
Research/retrieval fees: $20.00 per hour after the first 15 minutes (which are free)
Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size

Department-Specific Fees:

Court records: $1.00 per page for certified copies through the Court Clerk
Property records: $5.00 for first page, $2.00 each additional page through the County Clerk
Marriage licenses: $50.00 application fee
Birth/death certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $15.00 each additional copy

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards at most departments. Some online services may require credit card payment. All fees must be paid before records will be released, and no refunds are provided for records searches that yield no results.

The Oklahoma County Clerk's Office provides a complete fee schedule on their official website, and requestors are encouraged to contact the specific department for the most current fee information before submitting requests.

Does Oklahoma County Have Free Public Records?

Oklahoma County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with state law and county policy. Free access options are available through several channels:

Free In-Person Inspection:

All non-confidential public records may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours
Self-service computer terminals are available at the Oklahoma County Clerk's Office for viewing digitized records
Public meeting minutes and agendas are available for review at no cost

Free Online Resources:

The Oklahoma County Public Records Portal offers free access to many digital records
Basic property information is available at no cost through the Oklahoma County Assessor's website
Court case information can be searched for free on the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network
County budget documents, annual reports, and public notices are freely accessible online

Fee Waivers:

Records requested in the public interest by news media, scholarly research, or nonprofit organizations may qualify for fee waivers
Individuals who demonstrate financial hardship may request fee waivers for certain essential records
Government agencies requesting records for official purposes are generally exempt from fees

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. The first 15 minutes of staff research time is provided at no charge, with hourly fees applying thereafter. Additionally, pursuant to 51 O.S. § 24A.5, agencies may not charge a search fee when the request is solely in the public interest.

Who Can Request Public Records In Oklahoma County?

The Oklahoma Open Records Act establishes broad access rights for public records in Oklahoma County. Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request and receive non-exempt public records.

Eligible Requestors Include:

Oklahoma residents and non-residents
U.S. citizens and foreign nationals
Individuals and organizational representatives
Media organizations and journalists
Businesses and corporations
Nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies and officials
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

The law specifically states in 51 O.S. § 24A.5 that public bodies "must provide prompt, reasonable access to its records" and may not deny access based on the requestor's purpose or identity. Requestors are not required to:

State a reason or purpose for their request
Demonstrate a "need to know"
Be directly involved in or affected by the matter
Be represented by an attorney
Be an Oklahoma resident

However, certain records with restricted access may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal right to access. For example, sealed court records, juvenile records, and certain vital records may only be accessible to specific individuals with a demonstrated legal interest or relationship.

Government agencies may ask for identification to verify the requestor's identity when processing requests for records that have restricted access or when processing payment information.

What Records Are Confidential In Oklahoma County?

Oklahoma County maintains certain records as confidential pursuant to state and federal laws. These records are exempt from public disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act and other applicable statutes.

Personnel Records:

Employee medical records and health information
Personnel evaluations and disciplinary actions
Home addresses, telephone numbers, and personal email addresses of public employees
Social Security numbers and financial account information

Law Enforcement Records:

Active criminal investigation files
Information that would identify confidential informants
Law enforcement techniques and procedures
Juvenile arrest and criminal history records
Victim information in sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking cases

Court and Legal Records:

Records sealed by court order
Juvenile court proceedings (with limited exceptions)
Mental health commitment proceedings
Adoption records
Grand jury proceedings and testimony

Personal Information:

Medical and mental health records
Educational records protected by FERPA
Income tax returns and financial information
Records containing personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy

Other Protected Records:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Critical infrastructure information that could pose security risks
Records specifically designated as confidential by state or federal law

The determination of confidentiality is made by the record custodian based on applicable laws. Pursuant to 51 O.S. § 24A.5(2), when a record contains both open and confidential information, the confidential portions may be redacted, and the remainder must be released.

Requestors who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek review through the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office or pursue judicial remedies in district court.

Oklahoma County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Oklahoma County Clerk (Recorder's Office)
320 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Room 105
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: (405) 713-1500
Oklahoma County Clerk

Public Counter Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Marriage license applications and certificates
Passport application processing (by appointment)
Notary public registrations
Military discharge recording
Fictitious business name filings
Lien recordings and releases
Certified copies of recorded documents

Additional Information:

Document recording cutoff time: 4:30 PM daily
Marriage license applications accepted until 4:00 PM
Self-service research terminals available during all business hours
Online records available 24/7 through the county website
Document drop box available for after-hours submissions (processed next business day)

The Oklahoma County Clerk serves as the official recorder for the county and maintains records dating back to 1890. The office processes approximately 200,000 documents annually and maintains over 30 million pages of historical records. Staff members are available to assist with research questions and document location during regular business hours.