Cleveland County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Cleveland County?
Public records in Cleveland County are defined according to the Oklahoma Open Records Act, codified in 51 O.S. § 24A.1-29. This statute establishes that public records include all documents, books, papers, photographs, microfilms, computer data, maps, and other official materials created, received, or preserved by a public body in connection with the transaction of public business.
Cleveland County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Cleveland County Court Clerk's Office
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Cleveland County Assessor
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (available through the Cleveland County Health Department), marriage licenses and divorce decrees (available through the Court Clerk)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax payment histories maintained by the Cleveland County Treasurer
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Cleveland County Election Board
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners and other county boards and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions) from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by its respective county department or office, with the Cleveland County Clerk serving as the primary custodian for many county records pursuant to 19 O.S. § 286.
Is Cleveland County an Open Records County?
Cleveland County fully adheres to the Oklahoma Open Records Act as established under 51 O.S. § 24A.1 et seq. This comprehensive state law governs public access to government records throughout Oklahoma, including Cleveland County.
The Oklahoma Open Records Act explicitly states that "the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government" and that "it is the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are to be informed about the operations of their government." This foundational principle guides Cleveland County's approach to records access.
Cleveland County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state transparency requirements. The county maintains an open records policy that aligns with state law, ensuring that all public records are accessible for inspection during regular business hours. This policy is consistent with the state's sunshine laws, which promote government transparency and accountability.
Under 51 O.S. § 24A.5, Cleveland County is required to:
- Keep records open for public inspection
- Designate certain persons who are authorized to release records
- Establish procedures for accessing records
- Maintain facilities for record inspection and copying
The county's compliance with these requirements ensures that citizens have appropriate access to public information while maintaining necessary protections for confidential data.
How to Find Public Records in Cleveland County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Cleveland County may follow these procedures to access the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate office: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek. For example, property records are held by the County Assessor, while court records are maintained by the Court Clerk.
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Submit a formal request: While some records are available for immediate access, others may require a written request. The Oklahoma Open Records Act does not require a specific form, but requests should:
- Be addressed to the appropriate records custodian
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Include contact information for response
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Visit in person: Many records can be accessed by visiting the appropriate county office during regular business hours. The Cleveland County Courthouse houses multiple departments:
Cleveland County Courthouse
200 S Peters Ave
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 321-6402
Cleveland County -
Search online resources: Cleveland County provides several online portals for public records:
- The Cleveland County Court Clerk offers online access to court records
- The Cleveland County Assessor maintains property records online
- Vital records indexes can be searched through OK2Explore
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Request certified copies: For official documents like vital records, submit applications to the appropriate office. Birth and death certificates can be requested through the Cleveland County Health Department.
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Follow up: If a request requires processing time, county officials must provide a response within a reasonable timeframe. Under state law, agencies must provide prompt, reasonable access to records or cite a specific exemption for denial.
For court records that may be handled at the federal level, individuals may need to contact the Western District of Oklahoma federal court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County assesses fees for public records in accordance with 51 O.S. § 24A.5(3), which authorizes reasonable charges for document reproduction. Current standard fees include:
- Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified Copies: $1.00 per certification in addition to copy fees
- Large Format Documents: $3.00 per page for maps, plats, and other oversized documents
- Digital Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic document delivery
- Research Fees: $25.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff research time (first 15 minutes are typically free)
Specific record types may have statutorily established fees:
- Birth Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Death Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage Licenses: $50.00 application fee; $5.00 for certified copies
- Court Records: Fees vary by document type and certification requirements
Cleveland County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards at most offices. Some online services may require credit card payment.
Fee waivers may be available when disclosure is in the public interest, primarily benefiting the general public rather than a private interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification for the waiver.
Does Cleveland County Have Free Public Records?
Cleveland County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with 51 O.S. § 24A.5, which 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." While copying fees may apply, the inspection of records is available at no cost.
The following free public record resources are available:
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In-Person Inspection: All non-exempt public records may be viewed free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
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Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by Cleveland County offices:
- The Cleveland County Assessor's Property Search provides free access to property records
- The Cleveland County Court Records Search allows free searches of court case information
- The Cleveland County Election Board provides free access to voter information and election results
- OK2Explore offers free searches of vital records indexes
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Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Cleveland County Courthouse for free public access to certain electronic records
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County Commission Minutes: Meeting minutes and agendas for the Board of County Commissioners are available for free on the county website
While inspection is free, requestors should note that fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive research requests as outlined in the county's fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cleveland County?
Under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, specifically 51 O.S. § 24A.5, any person has the right to request public records in Cleveland County. The statute explicitly states that records shall be open to "any person," with no residency requirement or restriction based on citizenship status.
Key eligibility considerations include:
- No purpose requirement: Requestors are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request for most public records
- No identification requirement: For general public records, requestors are not required to provide identification, though certain sensitive records may require verification
- Equal access: Both individuals and organizations (including media, businesses, and non-profits) have equal rights to access public records
- Non-residents: Out-of-state residents have the same rights to access Cleveland County public records as Oklahoma residents
For specific record types, additional requirements may apply:
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates have restricted access. Only the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest may obtain copies. Identification is required.
- Juvenile Records: Access is restricted to parties to the case, parents/guardians, attorneys of record, and certain authorized agencies per 10A O.S. § 1-6-102
- Medical Records: Access is limited to the patient or their authorized representative in compliance with HIPAA regulations
- Personnel Records: Certain information in employee records may be restricted to the employee or authorized administrators
When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply. Requests for one's own records typically require identity verification, while requests for general public records do not.
What Records Are Confidential in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with state and federal laws. The Oklahoma Open Records Act, particularly 51 O.S. § 24A.7-24A.31, establishes specific exemptions from public disclosure. Records that are confidential in Cleveland County include:
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including expunged criminal records and sealed divorce proceedings
- Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, including delinquency proceedings and dependency cases, as protected under 10A O.S. § 1-6-102
- Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation materials, confidential informant information, and certain law enforcement techniques
- Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and dates of birth appearing in public records
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents, which remain sealed unless opened by court order
- Child Welfare Records: Child abuse investigations and protective services records maintained by DHS
- Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information beyond what is specified as public in 51 O.S. § 24A.7(B)
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and county attorneys
- Educational Records: Student records protected under FERPA
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to county agencies
- Security Information: Details about security systems, infrastructure vulnerabilities, or emergency response plans
- Tax Return Information: Individual and business tax returns and related documents
Cleveland County applies a balancing test as required by 51 O.S. § 24A.2 when determining whether certain records should be disclosed. This test weighs the public's right to know against individual privacy interests and the government's need to conduct business effectively.
Records that contain both exempt and non-exempt information are typically provided with the confidential information redacted, allowing for maximum disclosure while protecting sensitive information.
Cleveland County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cleveland County Clerk's Office
200 S Peters Ave, Suite 120
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 366-0240
Cleveland County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
- Marriage license applications
- Passport application processing
- Notary public registrations
- County Commission meeting minutes
- Business trade name registrations
- Military discharge recordings (DD-214)
Cleveland County Court Clerk's Office
200 S Peters Ave, Suite 125
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 366-0820
Cleveland County Court Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Court records and case filings
- Marriage and divorce records
- Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents
- Jury service information
- Payment of court fines and fees
Cleveland County Assessor's Office
201 S Jones Ave, Suite 100
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 366-0230
Cleveland County Assessor
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Property assessment records
- Homestead exemption applications
- Property tax information
- Land ownership records
- Property maps and plats