The sad reality is, divorce is quite common these days, in Oklahoma and in the other states of the US. According to statistics, there are over a million divorces each year. According to law, the state must keep detailed records of each and every divorce, and naturally, the database of Oklahoma divorce record is growing fast.
The state and the county authorities in Oklahoma are very careful not to miss out on any divorce because they are aware of the legal formalities to maintain the record. Divorce records are in the public domain, and so, you have the legal right to ask for it. The state will have to share the information with you when you make an application in the correct format. The Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) that was passed in 1966 ensures that post 1967 the records are maintained not only for public and government reference but also for the purpose of information. The service offered to you is not free though.
Almost all American states have a federal office of statistics which does not give certified copies of divorce documents. The job of these departments is to verify if a divorce was settled in the state. They dole out by redirecting requests pertaining to original documents to the county office where the divorce was granted.
The details in these records can help you find the marital status of a person. For instance, you can check the background of your future spouse. You can get your own record as well to prove that you can get married again legally.
However, there are some restrictions on the information that you can get. You will not be able to know the cause of divorce, matters relating to settlement, child custody, alimony and others because the person has the right to privacy. However, you can find out whether the divorce was granted or not.
Preferably, you should approach the county office – this is the place where the records are maintained. However, if you are not sure of the county, you can walk up to the state office also, which in turn will forward your request to the particular county. Once your application is received, the office will begin to search the record, and once found, it will be sent to you. So, you must provide your details too; name, address including phone number, pin code. You must also inform the office your relationship with the divorced person, and the reason for wanting to access the record. Do remember, the record cannot be forwarded to just anyone; you must be a son, daughter, father, uncle, mom, or a would-be husband or wife.
To access Oklahoma divorce records, you need to get in touch with:
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma State Dept of Health
1000 Northeast Tenth, Room 117
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Phone: (405) 271-4040
To obtain an Oklahoma divorce record, follow the directions below:
Step 1.
First, you must determine where the divorce took place. Determining the county the divorce was filed will help you with your next step.
Step 2.
Contact the County Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed. You may find a list of contacts through the Oklahoma State Courts Network.
Step 3.
Ask the Clerk of Court their procedures for requesting a certified copy and fees.
A list of Oklahoma Courts can be found at:
About Oklahoma Divorce Records
Vital records in Oklahoma are important event records that help the state in many ways. They help keep track of births and deaths, as well as marriages and dissolutions of marriage. Divorces in Oklahoma are filed with the county court where the petitioner lives. Once the divorce is final, the original document is kept with the County Clerk of Court, and all requests for certified copies of divorce must go directly to that court clerk.
Why Request Divorce Records?
Divorce records may be needed for a number of reasons. Those who are parties on the divorce might want a full copy of the final decree for their records. Or a potential spouse may want to know whether their fiancée is legally divorced, as well as the reason for a divorce in the first place.
What Are Processes and Fees Required?
Processing fees and request procedures may vary from county to county. You must contact the county clerk directly to determine the proper procedures.
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