The state of Oklahoma began recording state-wide birth registration information in 1908 though it took until 1930 for all counties to submit the information consistently. Some individual county archives have earlier Oklahoma birth records going back to 1891. To find those, you will need to contact each county office directly.
There are some restrictions on acquiring birth records as long as the person on the record is still living. If that is the case, you can only request a record if it is your own, or if you are the parent, adult child, spouse or grandparent of the person of record. Attorneys and other legal representatives can have access as well, with the proper forms and ID. If you are looking for an Oklahoma birth record of someone who is now deceased, there is no restriction on relationships. You will have to provide documented proof of death though.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has the request forms on their website (http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/VR_BCRequest_interactive.pdf). Once filled out, you can either mail this along with your ID and the proper fees to the Vital Statistics office or take it in person for quicker service.
There are 3 offices that have walk-in counter service: the main one in Oklahoma City (1000 Northeast 10th), and also in Tulsa (315 S. Utica) and McAlester (1400 East College Ave.) They all offer service during regular business hours and you can usually get your requested records while you wait.
Alternatively, you can send your application package in by mail to the Oklahoma City office. Their full mailing address is: Vital Records, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 Northeast 10th, Room 117, Oklahoma City OK 73117 USA. When sending your request for an Oklahoma birth record via the mail, you will have about a month before you see your documents back. You also have to include a self-addressed and stamped envelope when doing this by mail.
The forms themselves are simple to fill out, requiring basic information about the records you're looking for. The person's full name, date and place of birth, parent's names (maiden name for the mother) and you also have to provide contact information for yourself. You will also need to provide copies of your own photo ID (driver's license or passport, etc). This applies whether you are getting an Oklahoma birth record for a living person or from someone who is now deceased. If you do not have a photo ID, there is a list of alternative acceptable IDs on the back of the request form.
The current cost to have a record searched and retrieved is $15 USD, and any additional copies ordered at the same time will also be $15 each. You will have to pay this fee by check or money order, made out to "Vital Records Service". If the records you want are not found, there are no refunds as the fee is for the search performed not the actual document.
Ordering Oklahoma birth certificates is easy by following these steps:
Step 1.
To place an order for an Oklahoma birth certificate by mail, you will need to download and fill out a Oklahoma Birth Certificate form.
Step 2.
Obtain the appropriate identification. At a minimum, you will need a copy of your current driver's license. Also include other documents proving your relationship with the person on the record if needed.
Step 3.
Return the application and identification, along with a check or money order in the amount of $15, to the Department of Health.
For more information on how to access Oklahoma birth records, you should contact:
Oklahoma Department of Health
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 Northeast 10th
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-4040
How To Order Oklahoma Birth Records
Oklahoma birth records can be ordered through the Oklahoma State Department of Health Vital Records Service. The Department has Oklahoma birth records dating as far back as October 1908.
Ways To Place Your Order
You can place an order for Oklahoma birth records in two ways: by mailing in your request or by visiting one of the three health department offices in person. It takes approximately an hour to process your request in person or four weeks to process your request by mail.
Access To Birth Records
According to state laws, only certain individuals are able to access Oklahoma birth records. In order to access a record, you must be either the person named on the record, a parent, step-parent, or grandparent of the person named on the record, a spouse, or an adult child. Other relatives, legal representatives, and genealogists may be able to access the record if they are able to provide the supporting documentation proving their need for the request.
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