Search Tulsa County Birth Records

Tulsa County birth records are maintained by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, just like every other county in the state. With a population of about 669,000, Tulsa County is the second most populous county in Oklahoma. Residents here have a major advantage over the rest of the state when it comes to picking up birth certificates. OSDH runs a satellite Will Call office right in Tulsa at the James O. Goodwin Health Center. You can search the OK2Explore index for free, order copies online or by mail, and pick them up locally without driving to Oklahoma City.

Tulsa County Birth Certificate Sources

The OSDH Vital Records Service holds all birth certificates for births in Tulsa County. The county clerk's office does not handle birth records. Michael Willis is the Tulsa County Clerk. His office is at 500 S. Denver Ave., 2nd Floor, Tulsa, OK 74103. Phone is (918) 596-5800. The clerk handles land records and other county filings, but birth certificates go through the state.

The Tulsa County Court Clerk sits in the same building. That phone number is (918) 596-5000. The court clerk handles case filings like adoptions, paternity, and name changes. These court cases can tie into birth certificate amendments, but the court clerk does not issue birth certificates either.

What makes Tulsa County different from most counties is the local Will Call office. The Tulsa Health Department runs a satellite OSDH office at the James O. Goodwin Health Center, 5051 S. 129th East Ave, Tulsa, OK 74134. You can pick up birth certificates there after ordering through VitalChek. Hours are 12:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. You must order ahead. Walk-in service is not available.

The Tulsa County land records search system runs on its own platform, separate from the rest of the state, though birth records still go through OSDH.

Tulsa County uses an independent Land Records Management Information System that requires a subscription for online access to recorded documents.

Searching Tulsa County Birth Records

OK2Explore is the free state tool for looking up birth records. Select "Tulsa" from the county list to see births that took place in Tulsa County. The index covers records more than 20 years old. It shows basic details like name, date, and county. No sign-up is needed. The data gets updated each month with new records and fixes.

Keep in mind that OK2Explore is just an index. It does not hand you a copy of the actual certificate. But it saves you time and money by letting you verify that a record exists before you order one. If you are having trouble with the search, try different name spellings or leave some fields blank to get a wider set of results. For technical problems with the site itself, email AskOK2Explore@health.ok.gov.

Ordering Tulsa County Birth Certificates

There are four ways to order. Online is the fastest. Go through VitalChek and pay $15 for the state fee plus $12.95 for VitalChek's processing. Total is $27.95 per copy. Phone orders go to 877-817-7364 at the same price. Both online and phone orders take about two business days.

Mail orders cost $15 per copy with no extra charge. Fill out the Birth Certificate Request Form. Attach a photocopy of your ID and a check or money order. Mail it to: Vital Records Service, PO Box 248964, Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964. Do not send cash. Mail takes about four weeks.

Tulsa County residents can pick up their order at the local Will Call site at the James O. Goodwin Health Center. You order through VitalChek first and then pick up in person. The other Will Call spots are in Oklahoma City and McAlester. All three have the same hours: 12:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.

The Tulsa Health Department website provides details about the local birth certificate pickup office and how to use the Will Call service.

The Tulsa pickup location saves northeast Oklahoma residents a trip to Oklahoma City for birth certificate orders.

Who Can Get Tulsa County Birth Records

Birth records in Oklahoma are not public. Title 63, Section 1-323 spells out who can request a certified copy. The list is short. The person on the record, parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, and attorneys with proper authorization all qualify. Extended family like spouses, grandparents, and adult children need signed permission from the subject plus proof of the relationship.

Every request needs a clear copy of government-issued photo ID. Valid forms include a driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID with a signature. Do not mail your original. Send a photocopy only. If you use two secondary forms of ID, the certificate goes only to the address listed on your identification.

Records 125 years old or older are open. You still need to apply and pay, but you do not have to prove eligibility.

Birth Certificate Filing in Tulsa County

Under Title 63, Section 1-311, the attending doctor or midwife at a Tulsa County birth must file a birth certificate with OSDH within five days. The filing goes straight to the state. The certificate lists the child's name, date and place of birth, sex, and the names of both parents including the mother's maiden name.

Amendments cost $40. That price includes one corrected certified copy. You send in documents proving the right info. Court-ordered name changes also require an amendment through OSDH. These take up to four months with the current backlog. The Heirloom Birth Certificate is a special commemorative version that costs $35 and shows the state tree design.

Historical Birth Records in Tulsa County

Statewide birth registration started in October 1908. Tulsa County was already growing fast at that time, so many early records do exist. For births before 1908, the Oklahoma Historical Society has newspapers, census records, and other documents from the territorial period. The Gateway to Oklahoma History database holds more than 600,000 items you can search for free.

Delayed birth registrations may also be on file with OSDH. These are records filed by people born before 1908 who later needed official proof of birth. The supporting documents often include Bible records, family affidavits, and school records. FamilySearch has a useful wiki page about Oklahoma vital records and delayed births.

Tulsa County Court Records

The Oklahoma State Courts Network gives free public access to court dockets. Tulsa County is one of the busiest court systems in the state. You can search for adoption cases, paternity filings, name change petitions, and guardianship cases. Each of these can lead to a change on a birth certificate.

Sealed adoption records need a court order to access. Paternity findings may change the father listed on a birth certificate. The Tulsa County Court Clerk at (918) 596-5000 keeps original case files. They can provide certified copies of court orders you need for birth record amendments.

Cities in Tulsa County

Tulsa County has several cities with their own pages. All birth records for these cities go through OSDH, not city offices.

Nearby Counties

Tulsa County borders several counties in northeast Oklahoma: