Oklahoma Marriage Records

In 1907, Oklahoma statutes mandated that every county record marriages and retain the copy at the county level. Therefore, Oklahoma does not maintain a central, statewide repository for individual marriage records. All records are managed at the county level by the county clerk's office where the marriage occurred.

Oklahoma marriage records are the official, permanent filings created when a couple applies for and is granted permission to marry. Recent data shows that Oklahoma has a marriage rate of 5.8 marriages per 1,000 residents. The state rate is slightly lower, 6%, below the national average of 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Oklahoma marriage records comprise two different documents:

• Marriage License: A marriage license is a permit given to intending couples authorizing them to get married. It is issued by the county clerk and includes details about the couple, such as their full names, current addresses, age, license number, the signature of the issuing officer, and the license expiration date. A marriage license is a pre-marriage document couples must obtain to validate their wedding ceremony under state law.
• Marriage Certificate: A marriage certificate is the official document proving that the marriage occurred. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the marriage certificate to the county clerk's office. The marriage license is recorded and filed, and the county clerk generates the marriage certificate. Information on a marriage certificate includes the couple's names, marriage location, marriage date, officiant details, and the signature and seal of the issuing authority. Marriage records are useful for legal, administrative, and personal purposes.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Oklahoma?

To look up marriage records in Oklahoma, contact the specific county clerk's office in the county where the marriage took place. To obtain the document, download the marriage records request form from the county clerk's website or their office. Some counties offer a web form to request certified copies of marriage records.

Gather the required information, including the couple's full names, marriage date, and license number. Also, provide proof of identity -for most countries, a government-issued photo ID is required- and pay the fees. You may submit the record requests in person at the county clerk's office or by mail. Mail requests must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Are Marriage Records Public in Oklahoma?

Yes. Oklahoma's Open Records Act declares that all records held by public bodies, including county clerk's court marriage records, are open for inspection and copying by any person during business hours. However, while marriage records are publicly available, not all information on the document is open to the public. Generally, state law requires that sensitive data such as residential addresses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers be redacted from the document before issuing it to the public.

How Much Do Oklahoma Marriage Records Cost?

The cost of a certified copy of a marriage certificate differs across counties. However, the average cost for a certified copy is $2.00. In addition, most counties charge a certificate fee of $.050 - $1.00 per document and an authentication fee of $5.00.

Most counties in Oklahoma do not offer expedited processing for marriage records requests. Standard processing times are typically up to 10 business days after payment is received. If you need the document urgently, contact the specific county clerk's office in person. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Oklahoma?

Unlike states that offer confidential marriage licenses, Oklahoma does not provide this option. All marriage licenses and certificates issued in the state are public records. Confidential marriage licenses restrict public access to the marriage records from everyone but the couple. In Oklahoma, once marriage records are filed and recorded, they become part of the public record.

Similarly, you cannot completely seal your marriage records in Oklahoma. The state does not provide a process for individuals to seal their marriage records, restricting it from them public. While some states allow for the sealing of marriage records for reasons like domestic violence or privacy concerns, marriage records in Oklahoma are public the minute it is filed with the county clerk's office.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Oklahoma Marriage Records?

Marriage records serve as legal proof of a union between two individuals. Therefore, verifying the authenticity of your record is crucial for various personal, legal, and administrative processes. Generally, you may validate the legitimacy of your Oklahoma marriage records for immigration and travel purposes, trace your family history, claim marital deductions for tax purposes, add your spouse to health or life insurance plans, and establish your inheritance rights.

You may verify the authenticity of your marriage at the Oklahoma county clerk's office that issued the marriage license. Generally, an authenticated marriage record has key security features that validate its genuineness and help prevent duplicating the document. Typically, it includes the officiant's information, certificate number, an embossed, raised county seal, the county clerk's official signature, and the statutory wording prescribed by state statutes, affirming the legality of the marriage.

Can I Find Oklahoma Marriage Records Online for Free?

Yes. You can find and view Oklahoma marriage records for free from non-governmental sources. These sources are ideal for genealogical research or informal lookup of both old and new marriage records.

FamilySearch.org provides indexes and digital images for most Oklahoma counties from 1890 to 1995. The platform also offers a name-only index and microfilm images from 1870 to 1930, viewable at Family History Centers.

Ancestry.com is a free genealogical website that provides access to detailed indexes and scanned marriage license excerpts of Oklahoma marriage records from 1890 to 1995. You can also access the groom-bride index with county courthouse microfilm references from 1889 to 1951 at no cost.

PublicRecords.us compiles direct marriage records from multiple government sources to provide a comprehensive database of marriage records across the U.S., including Oklahoma marriage records. The platform provides basic details to both current and old marriage records and is ideal for commencing marriage record research.

What Is Required to Get an Oklahoma Marriage License?

Persons intending to tie the knot in Oklahoma must submit certain documents and meet specific requirements to obtain marriage licenses in the state. They include:

• Both parties must be 18 years and older to get married.
• Persons 16-17 years old may appear with at least one legal parent or guardian and a written consent affidavit.
• Both parties present valid government-issued IDs.
• If divorced within the last six months, the individual may only remarry their former spouses until the six-month period elapses.
• The divorce decree or death certificate, if either party was previously married
• The marriage license fees

It costs $50 to obtain a marriage license in Oklahoma. However, couples who present an original premarital counseling certificate may have their fees reduced to $5. There is no waiting period for persons 18 years and older. You may get married immediately if the marriage license is issued. However, minors 16-17 years may wait 72 hours after the marriage license is issued before getting married.

An Oklahoma marriage license is valid for 30 days. Within this period, the couple should get married. If the wedding is not conducted within that period, the marriage license expires, and a new license is required to get married.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Oklahoma?

Yes. You may amend your marriage records, including licenses and certificates. You can correct clerical and typographical errors, such as spelling mistakes in names or places, incorrect dates, wrong venue, and errors in addresses. You may also amend the format in which your name is written on your marriage certificates.

If you need to change fundamental facts, such as altering the ceremony date or changing one spouse to another person, the amendment requests must be accompanied by a court order.

Amending the Oklahoma Marriage License

If you discover an error on your Oklahoma marriage license before you get married, it is important to correct the mistake promptly to ensure the legality of your marriage. To amend the error, contact the county clerk's office that issued the marriage license. Bring the original marriage license with the error and a present, valid government-issued photo ID of both parties.

Submit a written request detailing the error and the correct information. The fees for correcting inaccuracies on marriage records vary by county, with some counties not charging a fee to amend minimal mistakes on the marriage license. However, if a new license is issued, you may be required to pay the standard license fee again.

Amending the Oklahoma Marriage Certificate

If you discover an error on your marriage certificate after your wedding, it is crucial to address it to ensure the accuracy of your legal records. To amend inaccuracies on your marriage certificate, contact the issuing county court clerk's office. Complete a marriage certificate amendment request form accessible at the clerk's office or website. Describe the current error and state the correct information.

Provide all necessary documentation, such as the original marriage certificate with the error, a valid government-issued photo ID, and a court order. Submit the amendment request in person or by mail to the county clerk's office. Each county determines the amount it charges to amend marriage certificates. The amendment fee ranges between $2 -$5.