Oklahoma Public Records

Oklahoma public records are legal documents created, received, and maintained by public offices. These records are made accessible to the public under the provisions of the Oklahoma Open Record Act. Some of the most commonly sought public records in Oklahoma include court, property, birth, jail, and death records.

The Oklahoma Open Records Act states that members of the public may inspect and make copies of public records unless the records are exempted by law. Consequently, Oklahoma public record custodians must grant access to anyone requesting to view or copy them. The only records exempted from public access are those that violate privacy rights or disrupt ongoing law enforcement investigations.

Are Oklahoma Records Public?

Yes. The Oklahoma Open Record Act ensures that most records held and maintained by public agencies in Oklahoma are available to state residents. However, certain records are deemed confidential by the Act and are exempt from public disclosure. Per Sections 24A5-29, such records include:

Confidential Records: These include closed executive sessions of public bodies, attorney-client information, personal information within driver records, Board of Medicolegal Investigations files, Social Security Numbers, etc.
Public Body Personnel Records and personal notes and created materials of public officials.
Law Enforcement Agency Records: Law enforcement may redact information in records to protect privacy and ongoing investigations, including depictions of death, nudity, minors, severe violence, and personal information.
Litigation files and Investigatory reports
Confidential crop and livestock reports
Juvenile system records
Terrorism-related records
Wildlife conservation identification records.

Oklahoma Public Records Act

The Oklahoma Open Records Act is codified in Title 51 O.S. §24A.1 through 24A.29 of the Oklahoma Statutes and Rules. The Act ensures that the public can access all records maintained by government offices in Oklahoma. Section 24A.3 defines a public record as any document, such as books, photos, digital files, or audiovisual recordings created, received, or controlled by public bodies. These records are used in conducting public business and managing public funds and property.

In Oklahoma, interested persons may inspect or copy public records without disclosing the purpose of their request. Several types of records can be considered public according to the Oklahoma Open Records Act, including:

Court Records and case information
Marriage Records
Inmate Records
Crime Reports and Statistics
Arrest Records
Divorce Records
Property Records
Bankruptcy Records.

How Do I Find Public Records in Oklahoma?

The procedures for retrieving Oklahoma public records vary with the agency that creates the record and the record custodian. Nevertheless, a requestor may use the steps described below to find public records in Oklahoma:

Determine the Record Type and Custodian: Inquirers must identify the specific record needed and its custodian. For example, court records are managed by the court adjudicating the case, and property records are typically available at the local county assessor's office.
Verify the Record's Availability and Custodian's Access Requirements: Before making a records request, check the custodian's official website or contact them for the requirements to facilitate a search. Some records are deemed confidential due to personal privacy, victim protection, or per court order. Additionally, inquirers may be required to furnish the office with a case number, docket or page number, the record holder's name, or birth date to facilitate the search. This is in addition to providing the initial district of filing (if applicable) and their location/contact information in order to that the documents are sent to them via mail or otherwise.
Prepare and Submit the Request: Public records requests can be made in person, via mail, email, phone, fax, or online, depending on the custodian. For mail, fax, and in-person requests, the requestor may need to draft a letter describing the record of interest or use a standardized form if the custodian provides one.
Pay Applicable Fees: There are free tools for viewing public records in Oklahoma. However, if the inquirer requires copies of the record, they would need to pay a nominal fee to cover the cost of duplication. Record custodians may also charge an administrative fee in addition to the copying fees, especially for record requests involving voluminous data.
Appeal for Denied Access: In some cases, if the public records request is denied, inquirers may appeal the decision and provide relevant information to support their appeal.

Find Oklahoma Public Records Free

Individuals can access public records for free online through state and county websites, search portals, and databases. Alternatively, they may visit the record custodian's office during business hours to use public access computers (if provided by the office). It is also possible to get Oklahoma public records for free by requesting a fee waiver from the record custodian.

The following are some of Oklahoma's free online sources of public records:

The Oklahoma Department of Correction (DOC) offers an offender lookup portal for free access to inmate records. This portal allows individuals to view records of people who have been arrested.
The Oklahoma DOC also manages a Sex and Violent Offenders Registry that provides records and information on registered sex and violent offenders by name, city, and offense.
Court Records: Oklahoma state courts and the Department of Justice give access to online databases such as the On Demand Court Records (ODCR) and the Docket Search. These search tools allow inquirers to search for court records and cases by providing the party's name or case number.
Property Records: County Assessor's offices in Oklahoma typically maintain and disseminate property records to the public. This includes deed records, parcel maps, assessment information, and others, all accessible for free. They are useful for property tax and real estate research. Inquirers can search for the property where it is located. For example, Oklahoma County Assessor provides a search tool.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

In Oklahoma, public records requests may be denied for reasons pertaining to confidentiality, legal restrictions, and insufficient information to facilitate the search. Requests are also refused when the requestor contacts the wrong agency. Usually, when a record custodian denies a public record request, they must provide a legal and valid reason for the refusal. Furthermore, the office may advise the requestor on how to appeal the denial.

Requestors may appeal record request denials per Section 24A.17 of the Oklahoma Open Records Act. According to this provision, individuals can bring a civil suit for injunctive or declarative relief limited to the records requested. If they are successful, they will be entitled to attorney fees, and the erring public official shall be punished with a $500 fine, 1 year imprisonment, or both. However, if the court overturns the appeal or deems the suit frivolous, the record custodian will be entitled to attorney fees.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain an Oklahoma Public Record?

It depends. The Oklahoma Open Records Act does not specify a fixed period for custodians to make the requested records available. However, the Act does emphasize the need for public bodies to respond promptly and ensure that written notice of their business hours is properly disseminated.

The response timeline for public records depends on the kind and complexity of the request. Each government agency in Oklahoma has its policies and procedures regarding public requests. According to the Act, each agency must designate days of the week for record inspection, copying, or mechanical reproduction. They are also instructed to provide the records custodian's name, mailing address, phone number and describe the procedures for obtaining access to records in detail.