State Vital Records in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Oklahoma. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Vital Records
Oklahoma
oklahoma.gov/health/services/birth-and-death-certificates/death-certificates.html→Administering agency
Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service
State Vital Records in Oklahoma: key facts
- Administering office
- Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service.
- Contact
- Phone 405-426-8880; email AskVR@health.ok.gov.
- Mail orders
- Vital Records Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, PO Box 248964, Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964.
- Certificate fee
- $15 for the first certified copy; $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 1-2 business days for online/phone; 6-16 weeks for mail.
- Who may order
- Surviving spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling, or legal guardian; Legal representative of the estate, documented by court order; A co-owner or joint tenant on real or personal property of the decedent; A person named in the decedent's will, provided the will is in probate.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1908.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Oklahoma — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek ($20 first copy for Oklahoma residents; mail delivery or Will Call pickup within 2 business days)
- By phone: Call (405) 426-8880 to order through VitalChek
- By mail: Mail request (mail orders are not expedited)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Current, valid, legal photo ID
- Completed and signed request form
- Allow the office's processing time (1-2 business days for online/phone; 6-16 weeks for mail).
Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service
Phone: 405-426-8880
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call (405) 426-8880 to order through VitalChek. by mail: Mail request (mail orders are not expedited). Mail orders go to Vital Records Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, PO Box 248964, Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Current, valid, legal photo ID; Completed and signed request form. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Oklahoma primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Vital Records
Oklahoma
oklahoma.gov/health/services/birth-and-death-certificates/death-certificates.html→Administering agency
Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service