Tulsa County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Tulsa County?

Public records in Tulsa County are defined as documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, computerized information, or other material regardless of physical form or characteristic, created by, received by, under the authority of, or coming into the custody, control, or possession of public officials, public bodies, or their representatives in connection with the transaction of public business, as defined by the Oklahoma Open Records Act § 24A.3.

Tulsa County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
Land use and zoning records

The Tulsa County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including property records, county commission minutes, and various financial documents. Court records are maintained by the Tulsa County Court Clerk, while vital records are managed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Business licenses and permits are typically handled by the City of Tulsa or the Oklahoma Secretary of State, depending on the business type and location.

Is Tulsa County an Open Records County?

Tulsa County adheres to the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Oklahoma Statutes Title 51 § 24A.2, "the purpose of this act is to ensure and facilitate the public's right of access to and review of government records so they may efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power."

The Oklahoma Open Records Act explicitly states that "all records of public bodies and public officials shall be open to any person for inspection, copying, or mechanical reproduction during regular business hours." This provision establishes a presumption of openness for all government records in Tulsa County and throughout Oklahoma.

Tulsa County has implemented specific policies to comply with state transparency laws, including the establishment of designated records custodians within each department and standardized procedures for responding to records requests. The county also complies with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, ensuring that government meetings are accessible to the public.

The Tulsa County Board of County Commissioners has adopted a formal public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records, consistent with state law requirements.

How to Find Public Records in Tulsa County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Tulsa County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites. The Tulsa County Clerk offers online access to property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records can be searched through the Oklahoma State Courts Network.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person:

Tulsa County Clerk's Office
500 S. Denver Ave., 2nd Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-596-5800
Tulsa County Clerk

Tulsa County Court Clerk
500 S. Denver Ave., 3rd Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-596-5000
Tulsa County Court Clerk
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the appropriate department. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format (paper copies, electronic files)
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Electronic Filing System: Court documents can be accessed through the Electronic Case Filing system for active cases.
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates must be requested through the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Marriage and divorce records are available from the Tulsa County Court Clerk.
Federal Court Records: For federal court records in the Tulsa area, contact the Northern District of Oklahoma United States District Court or the Northern District of Oklahoma United States Bankruptcy Court.

Pursuant to Oklahoma law, agencies must provide prompt, reasonable access to records during regular business hours. Agencies are required to respond to requests as soon as practicable, typically within a reasonable timeframe.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Tulsa County?

The Oklahoma Open Records Act permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees for providing access to records. Current fee structures for Tulsa County records are as follows:

Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: $1.00 per certification plus copy fees
Electronic Records: Actual cost of storage media (CD/DVD/USB) if provided by the county
Research/Staff Time: For commercial requests or voluminous searches, $25.00 per hour after the first 15 minutes (which are free)
Specialized Documents:
- Plat Maps: $5.00 per page
- Large Format Documents: $3.00 per square foot
- Recorded Documents: $1.00 per page

Pursuant to Oklahoma Statutes Title 51 § 24A.5(4), fees "shall not exceed the actual cost of document copying" or the "search fee for computer, microfilm, or mechanical search." The law prohibits charging fees for document inspection when no copies are requested.

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (in most offices). Some departments may assess a convenience fee for credit card payments.

Fee waivers may be available when the release of records is determined to be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers should be submitted in writing with an explanation of how the information will benefit the public.

Does Tulsa County Have Free Public Records?

Tulsa County provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours, as required by the Oklahoma Open Records Act. While copying fees may apply when physical or electronic copies are requested, the following free resources are available:

In-Person Inspection: All non-exempt public records may be inspected at no charge at the appropriate county office during regular business hours.
Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by Tulsa County and the State of Oklahoma:
- Tulsa County Assessor Property Search - Free property assessment records
- Oklahoma State Courts Network - Free court case information
- Tulsa County Election Board - Free voter and election information
- Tulsa County Board of Commissioners Agendas and Minutes - Free access to meeting documents
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Tulsa County Courthouse and other county facilities for free public access to certain electronic records.

The City of Tulsa also provides free access to city records through its online portal, including city council agendas, ordinances, and municipal codes.

Who Can Request Public Records in Tulsa County?

Under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, any person may request public records from Tulsa County. According to Oklahoma Statutes Title 51 § 24A.5, "All records of public bodies and public officials shall be open to any person for inspection, copying, or mechanical reproduction during regular business hours."

Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

Residency: Oklahoma law does not restrict records access to state residents. Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records.
Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records (such as vital records or records containing personal information) may require verification of identity or legal right to access.
Purpose Statement: Requestors are generally not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the records. The law specifically states that a public body "may not deny access to records based upon the purpose for which a person seeks the records."
Special Provisions: Different rules may apply when requesting:
- Your own records (may require identity verification)
- Records containing another individual's personal information (may be restricted)
- Records subject to specific statutory confidentiality provisions

Government agencies, businesses, and organizations also have the same rights as individuals to request public records from Tulsa County.

What Records Are Confidential in Tulsa County?

While Oklahoma law establishes a presumption of openness for government records, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Pursuant to Oklahoma Statutes Title 51 § 24A.5 and other statutes, the following records are generally confidential in Tulsa County:

Court Records: Sealed court records, including certain juvenile proceedings, adoption records, and records sealed by judicial order
Law Enforcement Records: Ongoing investigation records, law enforcement personnel records, certain victim information, and confidential informant identities
Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifying information
Medical Records: Health records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile court proceedings and juvenile offenders
Child Welfare Records: Child abuse investigations and child welfare case records
Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with exceptions for certain employment information)
Educational Records: Student records protected under FERPA
Attorney-Client Communications: Records protected by attorney-client privilege
Security Information: Building security plans, computer security information, and critical infrastructure details
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to government agencies

The Oklahoma Open Records Act requires agencies to apply a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records. This test weighs the public's right to know against individual privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the confidential information and release the remainder of the record.

Tulsa County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Tulsa County Clerk's Office (Recording Division)
500 S. Denver Ave., 2nd Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-596-5801
Tulsa County Clerk

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Tulsa County Clerk's Recording Division is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other land records. The office also records military discharge documents, marriage licenses, and certain business filings.

Services available at the Recording Division include: