Birth records are available from all the state in the United States and on this article we are going to look at how to find birth records in Oklahoma, which is one of the ways to find birth records in the US.
Found in the south central part of the Unite States, Oklahoma has a population of about 4 million. Oklahoma started registering births statewide in 1908. Total compliance to the birth registration came about in 1930.
There are records that date back as far as 1891 which were recorded by counties in Oklahoma. You can find these records at county court houses. If you are looking for contact information on county court, you can find it on county pages. Oklahoma also offer delayed birth records too.
You can order birth records in Oklahoma if you have the name, date of birth, place of birth and the required fee with you from Oklahoma State Department of Health or from VitalChek.
Table of Contents
Oklahoma Birth Records Restrictions
There are restrictions imposed on who can access birth records in Oklahoma. The law stipulates that birth records are not open public inspection. A person who access them illegally is punishable by law. The individuals who are permitted to have a copy of a birth certificate in Oklahoma include:
- A genealogist
- The person on the birth certificate
- The parent, step-parent, or grandparent of the person on the birth certificate
- The spouse of the person on the birth certificate
- The adult child or grandchild of the person on the birth certificate
- The legal guardian of the person on the birth certificate
- Any person who has legal interest in the birth certificate
Applicants will be required to provide additional documentation that will prove their eligibility to the records.
Required Identifications to Access Birth Records in Oklahoma
Applicants are required to produce a valid photo identification document of themselves or of the person they are representing for a copy of a birth certificate to be issued.
Primary identification documents that are acceptable in Oklahoma include:
- Driver’s license issued in the US or Identification card (current or expired less than 3 years ago)
- S. Passport
- Foreign Issued Passport with Visa (I-94)
- Government issued Military photo ID
- Tribal Photo Identification Card with the bearer’s signature
- Oklahoma Self-Defense Act (SDA) License or OK Concealed Carry permit
- Resident Alien Card (Form I-551)
- Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)
- Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A)
- Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688)
- Oklahoma Department of Corrections Consolidated Record Card (CRC)
Applicants who do not have the primary identification documents can provide secondary identifications which must have their current address on them. Certificates for applicants who ordered using the secondary identification documents will be mailed to the address that the applicant provided. They cannot be collected in person at the Vital Records Office.
Birth Records Searches in Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma does have an index where you can search for birth records registered in the state. This is index is at Ok2Explore. For those who are eligible to receive a copy of a birth record, there are ways to get them through the mail and online.
Birth Records Application by Mail in Oklahoma
Applicants who are want to order a copy of a birth certificate in Oklahoma must first download the Oklahoma Birth Certificate Request Form and complete it. They must also provide a valid identification document as mentioned above and required payment to Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Since birth records are confidential, applicants who are not the ones on the record or are not directly related to the person on the record will be required to include additional documentation before a birth record is given to them.
Applications can be mail to:
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health/content/sok-wcm/en/health/birth-and-death-certificates1/birth-certificates.html
PO Box 248964
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964
Incomplete applications and applications that don not have all the required information will result in delays. Mail applications take up to 10 weeks to return after an order has been placed.
Birth Records Application Online in Oklahoma
Online applications are the fastest way to get birth records in Oklahoma. Online birth records requests can be done using VitalChek, which is Oklahoma official partner. Once you have place your order, you can choose whether you want the records mailed to you or you will collect them yourself at Will Call.
Applications with all correct information normally take two days to process unless there are amendments required.
Phone call applications can also be processed through VitalChek. You can also choose to get your records by either mail or in person at Will Call in two days. Additional charges will apply for phone orders from VitalChek.
The number to call for phone orders is: 877-817-7364. Copies of birth records will only be given to qualifying individuals. Expedited request will need an additional fee.
For ways on how to find birth records in Oklahoma, you are covered with these ideas. If you are eligible to obtain a birth records in the state of Oklahoma, then you can try them out.