Oklahoma Public Records

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November 24, 2023
David Lukic

The Oklahoma Open Records Act is a state statute designed to grant the public access to government records, with the overarching goal of offering insights into governmental operations and facilitating access to such records. While the Act generally allows individuals to review or duplicate most records without the need for a formal request, it’s important to note that if the records are intended for commercial use, a fee may be incurred to cover the expenses associated with providing access to those records.

How to request Oklahoma Public Records?

Requesting public records in Oklahoma typically involves the following steps:

To request Oklahoma public records, follow these steps:

Identify the Records Needed: Be clear about which records you are seeking. Public records can include documents, emails, maps, recordings, or other data that the government maintains.

Determine the Custodian of Records: Find out which government agency or department holds the records you need. This could be a state, county, or city office, depending on the type of record.

Make a Written Request: While some requests can be made verbally, it's often better to submit a written request to have a record of your inquiry. Include details like the specific documents you are requesting, any relevant dates, and your contact information.

Submit Your Request: Send your request to the appropriate agency. This can often be done via email, postal mail, or sometimes through an online form on the agency's website.

Follow Up: If you don't receive a response within a reasonable time frame, follow up with the agency. Be aware that there may be fees associated with retrieving and copying records.

Understand the Limitations: Some records might be exempt from disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. This includes certain personnel records, investigative files, and other sensitive information.

Review and Appeal if Necessary: Once you receive the records, review them to ensure they are what you requested. If your request is denied or only partially fulfilled, you may have the right to appeal the decision.

Where to find Public Records in Oklahoma

Here’s where you can find various public records in Oklahoma:

Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce):

The OSDH Office of Vital Records issues birth and death certificates. For marriage and divorce records, you should contact the County Court Clerk where the marriage or divorce was filed.

Property Records:

Property records in Oklahoma County, which is the largest county in the state, can be searched by parcel number, deed type, or document number through the Assessor of Oklahoma County Government.

Business Records:

The Oklahoma Secretary of State's Business Records Department provides searches on corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. These records can be accessed through the Oklahoma Secretary of State's website.

Court Records:

Court records in Oklahoma can be found through the clerk of the court where the case was filed, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, or the Oklahoma State Court Network (OSCN). Information on these records can be accessed via the StateRecords.org website.

Driving Records:

To obtain your Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), you must complete and submit a Records Request form along with the appropriate fee to the Department of Public Safety, or purchase it from any tag agency in the state. The form and further instructions can be found on the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety's website.

Professional Licenses

A directory of all professional and occupational licensing agencies in the state of Oklahoma, where you can search for various professional licenses, is available through the OnlineSearches.com website.

Oklahoma State Archives:

For historical records, the Oklahoma Historical Society provides a range of resources. You can explore their collections and databases on the Oklahoma Historical Society's website.

Are Oklahoma Public Records Available Online?

Online access to certain public records is available in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation administers criminal history records and offers an online database for requesting such records.

Certain local government agencies within Oklahoma have also made public records accessible through online platforms. For instance, Tulsa County maintains an online database containing information about inmates.

It’s worth noting that for records not available online, you will need to submit a request either in person or by mail.

State Public Records Law

The Oklahoma Open Records Act allows access to government records for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute.

Which records are public in Oklahoma

Business and Financial Transactions: Records dealing mainly with business and financial transactions conducted by the government are accessible through the Oklahoma State Archives, which is the official repository for essential state government records. These records can be accessed at the Allen Wright Memorial Library in Oklahoma City, and more information is available on their website.

Executive Office Records: Records of executive offices related to public business and expenditure of public funds can be accessed through the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General. For more details and access, you can visit their office in Oklahoma City or their website.

Legislative Records: Legislative records, particularly those related to financial transactions, can be accessed at the State Capitol Building in Oklahoma City. More information and tracking of bills, committee actions, and votes can be done through Oklahoma Legislature.

Court Records: Court records in Oklahoma, unless identified as confidential by statute, are accessible through the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. These records can be accessed at their offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Electronic case filings and other court documents can be searched and filed online via their website.

Which records are not public in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, certain records are exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions include:

Personal Information: Records concerning individual clients, child abuse, adoption, foster care, or child welfare.

Sensitive Data: Records that include personal details such as social security numbers, home addresses, or telephone numbers.

Privileged Information: Records subject to legal privileges, like attorney-client and physician-patient communications.

Internal Deliberations: Personal notes prepared for decision-making or recommendations, except those related to budget requests.

Proprietary Information: Information related to bids or contracts before publication, computer programs, software, and appraisals for awarding contracts.

Personal Communications: Private communications with public officials in the exercise of constitutional rights.

Education Records: Student records, excluding directory information.

Federal Documents: Documents provided by federal agencies that are subject to limitations on disclosure.

Research Information: Any information related to research where disclosure could affect the conduct or outcome.

Personnel Records: Records related to personnel investigations/disciplinary actions or where release would be a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Health Information: HIPAA protected information.

Oklahoma Background Checks

In Oklahoma, background checks are primarily conducted through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). The OSBI is the state repository for all criminal history information. This information is available to the public and can be accessed through the OSBI’s online portal or by submitting a Criminal History Request Form.

What Can Be Included In a Background Check Report?

Personal Identification

Full name and date of birth of the individual being checked.

Criminal History

Details of arrests, charges, and convictions.

Aliases

Additional names the individual may have used, such as maiden names or nicknames.

Social Security Number

If provided, it is used for a more accurate and comprehensive search.

Fingerprint Information

In fingerprint-based checks, fingerprints are used to cross-reference records.

Oklahoma Court Records

Overview of the Oklahoma court system and its Structure

The state’s judicial system comprises various courts with distinct jurisdictions:

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court, considered the highest court in the state, holds exclusive hearings for death penalty cases and also reviews appeals by right for administrative agencies, writs, civil cases, and interlocutory appeals.
Court of Criminal Appeals: The Court of Criminal Appeals specializes in handling interlocutory appeals by right for criminal cases, including writ and juvenile cases, but within certain limitations.
Court of Civil Appeals: The Court of Civil Appeals adjudicates interlocutory appeals, appeals by right, and writ applications proceedings.
District Court: The District Court plays a vital role in the judicial system by conducting jury trials related to traffic and ordinance violations, handling small claims cases up to $6,000, and managing juvenile cases and domestic relations matters.
Municipal Court: Similar to the District Court, the Municipal Court also conducts jury trials, with a primary focus on cases related to traffic and municipal violations.
Court of Tax Review: The Court of Tax Review does not preside over jury trials but instead focuses on reviewing appeals from administrative agencies.

Types of Oklahoma Court Records

Small Claims Records

Civil Court Records

Appeals

Bankruptcy Filings

Judgment Records

Restrictions, Limitations, and Confidentiality

In Oklahoma, court records are generally considered public and are subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act. However, there are specific statutes that identify certain records as confidential. The criteria for sealing court records when confidentiality is not mandated by statute, are stringent. The court may seal a record or part of it only if there is a compelling privacy interest that outweighs the public’s interest in the record.

What do these records contain

Appeals: Appeals refer to petitions submitted to higher or appellate courts to review decisions made by lower courts.
Civil Court Records: Civil court records are associated with cases involving monetary disputes exceeding $10,000. Compared to small claims cases, civil cases are more time-consuming and involve higher court fees.
Small Claims Records: Small claims records pertain to legal actions where one party seeks compensation of not more than $10,000 for damaged property, breach of contract, or the recovery of private property. Small claims also encompass eviction cases.
Bankruptcy Records: Bankruptcy records provide public information about individuals and companies that have filed for bankruptcy in the state. These records may include details about writs, foreclosures, and judgments related to bankruptcy cases.
Judgment Records: Judgment records within the Oklahoma court system contain information about a court's final ruling on matters within its jurisdiction. These records typically provide information about the legal rights, decisions, and outcomes of the cases they document.

Courts in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Public Vital Records

Marriage and Divorce Records: In Oklahoma, marriage and divorce records are accessible through different channels. For marriage records, the Oklahoma State Courts Network website offers a Case Search tool that can be used to view most records, including older ones that are downloadable. If you know the county of marriage but not the exact date or place, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk. Additionally, vital statistics can be obtained by contacting the OSDH Oklahoma Vital Records Service or using the OK2SHARE tool available on their website. It’s important to note that in Oklahoma, the County Court Clerk issues and files marriage and divorce records where they were filed.

Birth and Death Records: ou can order birth certificates online, with the option to receive the records by mail. Phone requests can also be processed through VitalChek. The cost for Oklahoma residents is $20.00 for the first copy and $15.00 for each additional copy. Records of births that occurred more than 125 years ago are considered open records and can be requested without proof of eligibility, although applications, payment, and identification are still required. he Vital Records division is responsible for registering every death in Oklahoma and issuing certified copies of these records. The Oklahoma.gov website details the process for obtaining death certificates. Additionally, Ok2Explore provides a free searchable index of deaths that occurred in the state, including limited information on deaths occurring more than 5 years ago. You can visit Oklahoma Vital Records Online for birth records, Oklahoma State Vital Records Index – OK2Explore, and Oklahoma.gov for death records.

Oklahoma Public Criminal Records

Definition and Types of Criminal Records in Oklahoma

maintained by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). The OSBI is the state repository for all such records, and this information is available to the public under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. This act ensures public access to government records while protecting individual privacy through specific exceptions. Requests for criminal history record information must include at least the full name and date of birth of the subject, and additional identifiers like aliases and social security numbers are recommended for a more thorough search. For more detailed information, you can visit the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s website on Criminal History.

Information Included in Criminal Records

In Oklahoma, criminal records typically include a range of information detailing an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system. These records generally encompass:

Personal Identification: Full name, aliases, date of birth, and sometimes other identifying details like physical descriptions or photographs.
Arrest Records: Details of arrests, including the date, location, and the agency that made the arrest.
Charges and Convictions: Information about any charges brought against the individual, outcomes of the cases, and details of any convictions.
Incarceration Records: If applicable, information about sentences and periods of incarceration.
Warrant Information: Any outstanding warrants against the individual.
Trial and Court Information: Details about court proceedings, including trial records, judgments, and any other legal actions involving the individual.

Police Records and Reports

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is the state repository for all criminal history information, including police records and reports. Information from the OSBI's repository, available under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, can be accessed here.

Booking Records and Reports

Similar to police records, booking records and reports are also maintained by the OSBI and can be accessed through the same OSBI criminal history repository.

DUI Records

DUI records in Oklahoma are part of the criminal history information maintained by the OSBI and are accessible through their criminal history records service.

Felony and Misdemeanor Records

For felony and misdemeanor records, the OSBI provides access to such information via its criminal history records service.

Parole Records

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is responsible for overseeing Board decisions and meetings and holds records related to these matters. Additionally, it's worth noting that the Oklahoma Department of Corrections manages offender records.

Probation Records

In the state of Oklahoma, probation can be implemented through two distinct avenues. Firstly, the court has the authority to promptly impose probation, which can be supervised either by the District Attorney's office or the Department of Corrections. This approach offers a flexible means of rehabilitation and supervision for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Warrant Search

In Oklahoma, the public can perform warrant searches through various methods. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) offers criminal history records, including warrants, via its website, with fees of $15 for name-based and $19 for fingerprint-based searches. Oklahoma State Court Network (OSCN) provides access to court records, including warrant information, through its online database. Oklahoma Department of Corrections offers offender searches, including warrants, on its website.

Inmate And Jail Records

Inmate records in Oklahoma consist of information about individuals incarcerated within the state. Local law enforcement agencies initially generate these records and are subsequently maintained and preserved in the database of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

What you can find

In Oklahoma, inmate and jail records provide detailed information about individuals incarcerated in state and county facilities. These records, accessible to the public under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, typically include:

Basic Biodata: Inmate records contain personal information such as the inmate’s name, birth date, age, race, gender, and physical description. This may also include mugshots, fingerprints, DNA profiles, and audio or video records.
Offense Details: The records detail the inmate’s crimes, court information, charges, convictions, and sentencing information. This comprehensive view follows an offender through the entire criminal justice system, from arrest to probation or parole.
Location and Custody Information: These records specify the location of the correctional facility where the inmate is housed. They also include the inmate’s identification number, custody status, and booking number.
Additional Information in Jail Records: For inmates in county or city jails, records typically contain the name of the detention facility, physical descriptions of the inmates, and the specific charges brought against them. County jails, managed by the sheriff’s office, and city jails, run by local police departments, maintain these records for individuals sentenced to less than one year.
State Prison Records: The Oklahoma Department of Correction (ODOC) manages records for state prisons intended for those sentenced to more than one year. The ODOC provides an online database featuring current inmates and former offenders, including mugshots. However, juvenile inmate records are confidential and not available for public inspection.

How to Conduct an Inmate Lookup in Oklahoma

To conduct an inmate lookup in Oklahoma, you can follow these steps:

Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) Website: Visit the ODOC’s Offender Lookup tool. This platform allows searches by DOC number, name, or date of birth. It provides details like mugshots, physical descriptions, offenses, and facility location.
County Jail Rosters: For individuals in county or city jails, check the local law enforcement websites. Many counties have online jail rosters or inmate lists, where you can search by name.
State Prison Records: For those in state prisons, use the ODOC’s inmate search tool on their website. This tool permits searches by name, birth date, or inmate ID. Note that juvenile inmate records are confidential and not publicly accessible.

Jails & Prisons in Oklahoma

Federal Prisons:

Private Prisons:

State Prisons:

Can I look up mugshots in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma arrest records, which form a section of a police report or an individual’s criminal history, encapsulate details of arrests made by law enforcement agencies. Governed by the Oklahoma Open Record Act, these records are publicly accessible and can be inspected, with the exception of those involving juveniles.

Oklahoma Arrest Records

Oklahoma arrest records are official documents detailing an individual’s arrest history within the state. These records typically contain the arrested individual’s personal information (like name, date of birth, and physical description), details of the arrest (including the date, location, and the law enforcement agency involved), the charges filed, and any subsequent legal actions related to the arrest, such as court dates or bail amounts. Arrest records do not necessarily indicate a conviction or guilt but simply record the instance of arrest.

What Do These Records Contain:

Here’s what Oklahoma arrest records generally include:

Personal Information: This includes the arrested person’s name, age, and address.
Offense Details: The specific offense for which the person was arrested.
Arresting Agency: The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Booking Details: The date and time of booking.
Release Information: The date and time of release, if applicable.
Mugshot: A photograph taken during the booking process.
Bail Information: Details about bail, if applicable.
Signature and title of the issuing judge.

Oklahoma Property and Asset Records Online

To conduct an online search for property and asset records in Oklahoma, you can follow these steps:

County Assessor’s Office: Visit the website of the county assessor in the county where the property is located. Each county in Oklahoma maintains its own records, and most have online databases where you can search for property records using the owner’s name, address, or parcel number.
Oklahoma County Treasurer’s Office: For information on property taxes, assessments, and other financial details related to properties, check the website of the respective county treasurer’s office.
Oklahoma Land Records: The Oklahoma County Clerk’s office often maintains online databases for land records, which include information on deeds, mortgages, and other legal documents tied to properties.
State of Oklahoma Website: For broader searches, the State of Oklahoma website may offer links or resources for accessing property and asset records across various counties.

Unclaimed Properties and Assets

The Oklahoma State Treasurer maintains an official database for unclaimed property. You can search for unclaimed property by visiting the OK Treasure website. This platform allows you to search by your name and city. The database includes a variety of unclaimed properties such as cash, jewelry, royalties, investments, tax refunds, stocks, and more. This service is free and enables you to start your claim process online. The types of unclaimed property you can find include royalties, proceeds due to beneficiaries, outstanding checks, money orders, policy benefits, cashier’s checks, checking and savings accounts, net revenue interest, premium refunds, group policy benefits, refunds, credit balances, accounts receivable, accounts payable, matured certificates of deposit, payroll/wages/salary, treasurer’s checks, utility deposits, dividends, funds for liquidation, escrow accounts, and other amounts due under policies. If you prefer, you can download and complete an Unclaimed Property Inquiry Form from the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s website. After filling out the form, you need to print it, sign it, and send it to the Unclaimed Property Division for processing.

Driving Records

To find driving records in Oklahoma, you can follow these steps:

Obtain by Mail: Complete and submit a Records Request form, available on the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety website, along with the appropriate fee to the Department of Public Safety. Alternatively, you can purchase your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from any tag agency in Oklahoma.
Obtain Online: To access your MVR online, have your Oklahoma Driver’s License handy. You’ll need to enter the Camera ID number from your license. Online MVRs can be obtained from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s online portal.
Cost: The cost for an MVR is $25.00. If you require a certified MVR, the cost is $28.00. However, for individuals over 65, the MVR fee is waived when requesting their own MVR. There is still a $3.00 fee for certification of the MVR for those over 65.

Civil Driving Infractions

Civil driving infractions in Oklahoma are considered low-level offenses that typically do not involve incarceration. These infractions fall under two categories:

Moving Violations: These occur when the vehicle is in motion and include offenses such as:
- Overspeeding.
- Drunk driving.
- Hit and run incidents.
- Reckless driving.
- Failure to use a turn signal.
- Eluding a police vehicle.
- Running a red light
Non-Moving Violations: These happen when the vehicle is stationary or involve administrative issues, including:
- Inattentive driving.
- Driving while using a cell phone.
- Not wearing a seat belt.
- Parking in a no-parking zone.
- Driving with an expired registration tag.
- Lack of registration, insurance, or license.
- Faulty equipment such as broken headlights or taillights, defective brakes, pedals, tires, airbags, bad windshield wipers, improper muffler, or absence of light on the license plate

Oklahoma White Pages - Access to People, Addresses, and Other Non-Official Information

Address Search

Conducting an address search in Oklahoma involves accessing property records, which contain a wealth of information related to real estate within the state. These records include deeds, titles, survey results, and tax information. They are useful for various parties such as potential buyers, sellers, real estate appraisers, financial institutions, and attorneys. Oklahoma property records are publicly available as per the Oklahoma public records law and are typically held by the County Clerk or the Register of Deeds. They contain detailed information about the property’s owner, taxes, liens, mortgages, leases, and other legal documents. Additionally, they may include details like the property’s address, parcel number, legal description, sale price, tax history, and deed information, along with information about past and present tenants, mortgages, liens, and other financial transactions. Oklahoma property records are accessible through the County Assessor’s Offices, the Oklahoma State Department of Land Records, and third-party websites.

People Search

People searches in Oklahoma, on the other hand, involve using an individual’s first and last name to access their publicly available information. This process is legal under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Oklahoma’s public records law. People searches can be performed through government agencies or independent people search engines, which obtain information from public records and aggregate data. The type of information available typically includes biodata (such as full name, age, gender, physical descriptors, demographic information, and contact details) and record-specific data. While some people search sites offer free searches, they often provide limited information, and more comprehensive data usually requires a fee. To perform a people search, one needs the full name of the person of interest and can access the information from home via third-party repositories that offer such services.

Can I Search By a Phone Number and Identify The Owner?

Yes, it is possible to identify an individual through their phone number using online directories and reverse phone lookup services. However, these tools might not always draw from official state resources, leading to variations in the accuracy and legality of the data provided. It is crucial to utilize these services with caution and ensure adherence to privacy laws.

How to Do a License Plate Lookup in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, performing a license plate lookup involves either making a request at the Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission or using an online license plate lookup tool. Residents often use these lookups to assess the condition of a used vehicle or to gather background information on it. A paid license plate lookup typically yields more comprehensive data than a free lookup. The information retrieved can include registration details, vehicle description, title information, damage history, repair information, market value, accurate mileage, accident history, repossession history, vehicle part details, inspection checklists, maintenance history, and weather or natural damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who and why can request public records?

In Oklahoma, any member of the public has the right to request public records. There’s no requirement for the requester to state the purpose of their request.

Are there fees associated with requesting public records?

Yes, fees may be associated with requesting public records in Oklahoma. These fees cover the cost of searching, copying, and mailing the records.

Are public records Free to access?

While public records are accessible to the public, there may be fees for copying and processing the records.

What is the response time for public records requests?

Oklahoma law requires a prompt response to public records requests, but it does not specify a strict timeline. The response time can vary depending on the complexity and volume of the records requested.

Can my request be rejected?

Yes, a public records request in Oklahoma can be rejected if it pertains to records exempt from disclosure under the law, such as certain personal or confidential information.