Oklahoma Marriage Records

Oklahoma marriage records serve as legal evidence of unions between spouses. Marriage records are created at the time of the marriage event to document the union formally. Such documents typically include the full name of the record owners, the location, and the marriage date. The Vital Records Office of the Oklahoma Department of Health is the state’s central repository for such records. Records are also maintained at the County Clerk’s Office, where the marriage occurred. Historically, churches also recorded marriage events before government agencies kept civil records. Civil records are official documents maintained by government authorities, and the town plays a key role in recording and storing these records alongside other Oklahoma family court records.

What Types of Marriage Records Are Available in Oklahoma?

Unlike some U.S. states, Oklahoma does not issue confidential marriage licenses. There are only public marriage records in Oklahoma. Public marriage records are accessible to the general public and include information that does not infringe on the owners’ privacy. The following information is typically included in marriage records:

• The names of the bride and groom, and the signatures of the parties and the officiant
• The date and location of the marriage.

County clerks record Marriage information in writing, and many key documents are stored in written form for legal and archival purposes. Images (digital or scanned copies) of marriage records may be available for certain years, providing visual documentation of these records. Personal documents, such as family bibles or diaries, can offer marriage information when official records are missing.

Oklahoma Marriage Certificates

In Oklahoma, marriage certificates are legal documents issued by a County Clerk’s Office to confirm marriages. The certificates outline details that include:

• The names of the bride and groom
• The date of marriage
• Marriage location
• The name and signature of the officiant.

To be awarded marriage certificates in Oklahoma, couples must obtain a marriage license, have a marriage ceremony, and return the completed marriage license to the County Clerk’s Office for recording.

Oklahoma Marriage License

A marriage license is a document that grants legal permission for marriage. In Oklahoma, individuals cannot marry without obtaining a marriage license. Couples who wish to obtain a marriage license must meet the conditions below:

Both parties (the bride and groom) must appear in person to complete a marriage license form (Oklahoma does not issue marriage licenses by proxy):

• Proof of identity and age - Both parties must provide photo ID in addition to any legal identification that includes any of the following:
• Driver’s license
• Passport
• State-issued ID, or
• Military identification
• Social security numbers of both parties
• Parental information (this includes full names of parents and the mother’s maiden name)
• Payment of application fee (amount may vary across counties but ranges between $50 and $60).

Note: In Oklahoma, there is a waiting period between applying for and receiving a marriage license. However, waiting periods can be waived under certain circumstances.

Are Oklahoma Marriage Records Public?

Yes, Oklahoma marriage records are public. Basic information like the married couple’s names, the marriage date, and the location is accessible to the public in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Open Records Act (OORA) governs the public right to access marriage records in the state. However, while the OORA provides the support structure for accessing marriage records in Oklahoma, the state imposes certain conditions for accessing marriage records:

• Basic information such as names, marriage location, and date is open records that individuals can access.
• Custodians may redact confidential information (such as residential address) for safety reasons.
• To access confidential information, requesters may be required to provide proof of eligibility or demonstrate legitimate reasons for obtaining the marriage record.
• Individuals can request a copy or a certified copy of a marriage record, which can be obtained by submitting an application to the appropriate office. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail.
• If submitting by mail, payment methods accepted include money order, money order payable to the appropriate office, Visa, and Mastercard.
• If both parties to the marriage are deceased, the requester may need to provide original death certificates, proper identification, and the required fee to obtain the record.
• If someone cannot access records in person, alternative submission methods such as mail-in requests are available.
• Access to certified marriage records is subject to a fee. Hence, individuals must pay the required fees to cover the cost of making copies.

How to Find Marriage Records in Oklahoma

To find marriage records in Oklahoma, follow the steps below:

• Identify the county where the record is stored. Marriage records are generally stored at the County Clerk’s Office at the marriage location.
• For information on how to access a particular marriage record, visit the County Clerk’s Office in person, call the official phone line, or log in to the office website.
• Provide necessary information about the owners of the marriage record (this includes the full name, marriage dates, date of marriage, and location) to help locate the correct record.
• Pay the required fee (the amount can be between $5 and $50)
• Complete and submit a marriage records request form. Requests can be submitted in writing if required by the office.
• Wait for the processing of the request. The marriage record can be obtained after your request is processed.

Note: You may need proof of identity, such as a passport, state-issued ID, or a driver’s license.

How to Get a Marriage License in Oklahoma

The marriage license is a legal document that grants permission for the marriage. In Oklahoma, intending spouses must obtain a marriage license before a marriage ceremony. Marriage licenses must be completed and returned to the County Clerk’s office after a marriage.

Individuals applying for a marriage license in Oklahoma should follow the steps below:

• Both parties should visit the state’s County Clerk’s Offices.
• Provide photo identifications such as passports, driver’s licenses, military identification, or state-issued IDs.
• Fill out a marriage license request form with the relevant information (this includes name, age, and date of birth)
• Pay the processing fee (depending on the county, you may have to pay up to $60 or less)
• There is a mandatory waiting period of 72 hours for marriage license issuance ( the County Clerk’s Office can waive this under certain circumstances)
• After the waiting period, return to the County Clerk’s Office and pick up the license. An Oklahoma marriage license has a validity period of 10 days, and the marriage ceremony must take place within this timeframe.
• After the marriage, return the completed marriage license to the County Clerk’s Office for recording and to be issued a marriage certificate.

It is important to note the following when applying for a marriage license.

• Oklahoma prohibits the marriage of close blood relatives
• An applicant must not be below 16 years
• Individuals below 18 must have written parental consent or a written order from a juvenile court.
• Only marriages officiated by authorized persons (this includes judges, court clerks, and ordained clergy) are legal.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma marriage records are public and accessible under the Open Records Act. The following group of persons can access marriage records in Oklahoma:

• Either party in the marriage has the right to a marriage record.
• Family members such as siblings, parents, and children of the record owners
• Legal representatives of any of the parties involved
• Government agencies (for investigation or official purposes)
• Genealogists (for research).

Marriage records can be obtained by eligible parties through applications submitted to the appropriate county clerk office.

Due to privacy rights, county clerk Offices may redact sensitive or confidential information from marriage records made available to people other than the record owners. To be eligible to access marriage records in Oklahoma, the following procedural requirements may apply:

• Proof of relationship—To access information on marriage records, Individuals may have to demonstrate their connection to record owners. For instance, they may need to prove whether they are spouses, siblings, kids, or legal representatives.
• Legal representatives applying to access marriage records must show proof of authorization.
• Genealogy researchers may have to show a purpose or use to access marriage records. When official records are unavailable, personal records may be used as alternative sources for genealogical research.
• Government agencies may have to show jurisdiction or documentation to obtain marriage records.

The eligibility requirements for accessing marriage records in Oklahoma vary across the counties. Contact the Clerk’s office at the specific county for up-to-date information on eligibility requirements.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in Oklahoma?

Marriage records are available online for free in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Department of Health offers free online resources to access marriage records from 1965 to the present day. In addition, marriage records are available through third-party platforms. For certain years or through specific platforms, images of marriage records—digital or scanned copies of the original documents—may also be accessible online. The advantages of using third-party platforms to access marriage records include:

• Centralized Information: Third-party platforms gather information from various sources and make it available in one place, saving time when searching separately for the record
• Easy access: Some third-party websites have user-friendly interfaces that are easy to use
• Additional resources: Some third-party websites provide additional tools to make it easier to search for marriage records. Online third-party search tools such as Google, Pocket, and Evernote improve the search experience for marriage records.

Note: The completeness and accuracy of online marriage records may vary (in particular, those sourced from non-government platforms). In addition, the most recent records may have limited online availability. There is a fee for certified copies of marriage records in Oklahoma.

Is Oklahoma a Common Law State for Marriage?

Yes, Oklahoma is a common-law state for marriage. Common-law marriages are legal marriages that do not include marriage licenses and ceremonies. Oklahoma couples in common-law marriages enjoy similar rights as those in ceremonial marriages and undergo divorce proceedings in the event of separation. In Oklahoma, for a common-law marriage to be legal, couples must meet the following requirements:

• The couple must cohabit as husband and wife
• The couple must publicly declare themselves married
• Both parties must consent to the marriage.

Oklahoma recognizes common-law marriages from other states. However, recognition of such a marriage depends on the specific marriage requirements of the originating state. For Oklahoma to recognize a common-law marriage from other states, it must meet the following criteria:

• Validity in the originating state: The marriage must be legal and valid in the originating state
• It must meet the common-law marriage criteria in Oklahoma
• Couples must provide legal documentation to show that they are married.