Oklahoma Death Records Online

The state of Oklahoma joined the United States in 1907, making it the 46th state to join the Union. Even though they were one of the latest states to join, there have been European settlers in the area since the 1700s when it was initially French territory.

Though they are not available for general browsing by the public, there are no restrictions on Oklahoma death records so you can make a request for anyone's death record regardless of your family connection with that person. You just need to fill out the forms, provide your own identification and include the search fee.

The main source of death records is the Vital Statistics section of the state Department of Health and they have records dating back to around 1908. You can also find older Oklahoma death records if you go looking directly to the county registrar's office in the county where the death took place. They often have their own archives of material for the years before state-wide registration started, but you have to contact them to see what their holdings include.

But contacting the main office is usually the easiest for most people, and you can either mail in your application material or visit one of the 3 offices in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma City, you can go to 1000 Northeast 10th, in Tulsa the office is at 315 S. Utica and you can also get service at the McAlester office at 1400 East College Avenue. These all have regular business hours and will serve records requests while you wait (roughly within an hour). If none of these is convenient, then you can mail your Oklahoma death record request instead.

The wait time will be about 4 weeks, and you will have to include a self-address stamped envelope with your application. The mailing address is: Vital Records, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 Northeast 10th, Room 117, Oklahoma City OK 73117 USA.

To put your application together, first print out the request forms available from the Vital Records website (http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/VR_DRRequest_interactive.pdf). The forms will require the full name of the individual, the date and place of death along with any additional information you have. Adding their Social Security number, date or place of birth, or spouse's name can help make sure the search is going to locate the right record.

You also need to include your own identification, as a photocopy of any government issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport will work, but there is a full list of acceptable documents on the request form in case you don't have either of these.

The fee to have an Oklahoma death record searched and retrieved is currently $15 USD, though you should double-check on the form in case this has gone up. They may take cash at the counter (depending on the office you go to) but they prefer that all fees be paid in check or money order. Payment should be made out to "Vital Records Service".

Oklahoma Death Certificates