Oklahoma Birth Records

Following Oklahoma's statehood in 1907, the state mandated statewide birth registration beginning October 1, 1908. Birth records before 1908 were kept at the county level. Oklahoma birth records are official documents certifying the existence of an individual within the state.

Oklahoma issues two primary types of birth certificates: the long-form birth certificate and the short-form birth certificate. The long-form birth certificate is a detailed, comprehensive data documenting an individual's birth. It contains information such as the registrant's full name, birth date, hospital of birth, attending physician's information, and parents' details, including birthplaces, ages, and occupations. The long-form birth certificate is acceptable for all legal transactions.

The short-form birth certificate is a condensed abstract that displays only the child's name, date, and place of birth, and basic information about the parents. It omits detailed information, such as medical information, birthplace, and occupation of the parents. Although the short-form birth certificate is a legal document, it is not suitable for all legal transactions. However, it is acceptable in routine checks where extended information is not required.

Birth certificates may also be authorized or informational copies. Certified birth records are official birth records issued by the government. It is typically printed on seal-embossed security paper with the Registrar's signature and date of filing. Informational birth records are non-certified extracts of birth entries with minimal data. It is usually marked "Not valid for legal purposes". Non-certified copies of birth records are ideal for genealogical research and personal records where certification is not required.

Oklahoma also issues heirloom birth certificates, a decorative keepsake version of the birth record, ideal for commemorative purposes or as a gift rather than for legal use. Similarly, the state issues delayed birth registration for births before 1908 once the birth is deemed valid by the state registrar.

How To Order an Oklahoma Birth Certificate?

The Oklahoma State Department of Health's (OSDH) Division of Vital Records maintains certified copies of birth certificates from October 1, 1908, to the present. You may order birth certificates online or by mail. Online requests for certified birth certificates are through an approved online vendor. The service provider charges $15 per copy of the record for standard processing.

To order certified copies of birth certificates by mail, download and complete the Oklahoma Birth Certificate form. Enclose a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the fees with the application. It costs $15 to purchase the document from the state Vital Records Division. Mail the record request to:

For birth records before October 1908, you may contact the county clerk's office in the county where the birth was recorded or the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Are Birth Records Public in Oklahoma?

No. Oklahoma birth records are not public records. The state classifies birth certificates as confidential documents per Section 63-1-323 of the Oklahoma Statutes, restricting access to protect individual privacy. However, while birth records are not accessible to the general public, certain eligible persons, usually persons with a direct interest or family members, may obtain certified copies of the birth certificate.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Oklahoma?

Per state law, birth certificates are open to eligible individuals, including:

• The individual named on the birth record
• The parent listed on the birth certificate
• A stepparent married to a parent listed on the birth record
• Immediate family members, including children, grandchildren, spouse, siblings, grandparents, or registered domestic partner
• Legal guardian
• Legal representatives
• Government agencies
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get an Oklahoma Birth Certificate?

It takes the Oklahoma Vital Records Division 6 weeks to process birth certificate requests ordered by mail. Oklahoma does not offer expedited processing of birth certificates. Therefore, if you need the document urgently, you may request the record online. Birth records ordered online are usually processed within 1 - 2 business days.

Where Can I Find Oklahoma Birth Records Free?

While Oklahoma restricts certified birth certificates to authorized individuals, members of the public may access non-certified, informational copies of birth records from other resources at little or no cost.

The National Vital Records Archives provides an online database of vital records, including birth records extracted from county filings. They offer details such as name, date, and place of birth, parents' information for many older birth records.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health Free Index (OK2Explore) is the official, free public index for Oklahoma births and deaths. It covers births over 20 years old. You can search the database by name, date range, county, and gender.

FamilySearch.org provides indexes and some digitized records for pre-1908 births. It also offers wiki guidance on how to locate Oklahoma birth records and links to county-level repositories.

Ancestry.com hosts indexed collections of Oklahoma birth and baptism records from 1917 to 1933. While viewing the full certificate requires a subscription, basic index details, such as the names, dates, and counties, are accessible for free.

PublicRecords.us is a third-party website that curates public records from multiple sources into a central database and gives you access to millions of birth records, including Oklahoma birth records. The website is ideal for starting your research as it provides basic information on births reported in the state at no cost.

When Would I Need My Oklahoma Birth Records?

A birth certificate is a crucial form of identification in Oklahoma, serving as legal proof of citizenship, identity, and age. Generally, there are situations where one would need to present their birth certificates in Oklahoma, including:

• Obtaining a driver's license or state-issued identification
• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Applying for a marriage license
• Adding a dependent to health, life, or auto insurance plans
• Establishing legal heirship in estate disputes
• Proof of parentage in family court during adoption cases
• Validate identity before a legal name change
• Enrollment in schools, colleges, and universities

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Oklahoma?

You may need a replacement birth certificate in Oklahoma if your original birth certificate is destroyed, damaged, missing, or stolen. Replacing your birth record involves the same process as obtaining a certified copy of the birth certificate.

To replace your birth certificate, complete the Oklahoma Birth Certificate form, downloaded from the StateVital Records website. Include a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. It costs $15 to obtain a replacement copy of the birth certificate. If you are not the record holder, include proof of your relationship to the record holder. Mail the replacement request to the State Vital Records Division.

When Can the Public Access Oklahoma Birth Certificates?

Oklahoma treats birth certificates as confidential vital statistics records and prohibits the inspection and copying of the record, except that such persons are qualified to access the record by law. However, birth records become publicly available after 125 years from the birth date. At that point, any member of the public may obtain a certified copy without meeting the eligibility requirement or seeking a court order.

How To Correct an Error on an Oklahoma Birth Certificate?

Oklahoma law distinguishes between amending a birth record before the record holder turns one and after the first birth year passes. For birth records under one year, you may correct recording errors, such as the initial information provided in error by the parent or recorded in error by the health provider. You may also amend birth records for persons below one year if the initial information was not provided at the time of registration or has legally changed.

After the record holder turns one year, you can no longer request corrections based on entry or typographical errors. The only changes approved after the first year include legal name changes, paternity inclusion and exclusions, and adoptions.

To amend the birth record, complete the appropriate amendment form. Include documents supporting the correct information, such as hospital records, name school records, or court orders, and a valid government-issued photo ID confirming your identity. Pay the amendment fee of $40 and submit the request by mail.

Does Oklahoma Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Oklahoma does not provide gender-neutral birth certificates. All Birth certificates issued in the state carry only the traditional gender markers. Although the state allows individuals to change their gender markers from "Male" to "Female" or vice versa, it does not provide for changing gender markers to reflect the non-binary marker "X".