Sequoyah County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Sequoyah County?

Public records in Sequoyah County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and agencies pursuant to Oklahoma state law. These records are created, received, and preserved by government entities in the course of conducting public business. The Oklahoma Open Records Act, codified at 51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31, establishes the legal framework for public access to these records.

Sequoyah County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Including deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments, and tax information maintained by the Sequoyah County Assessor and Treasurer's offices
Court Records - Criminal, civil, probate, and family court proceedings accessible through the County Clerk's office and the Oklahoma State Courts Network
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (with certain privacy restrictions)
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies available through the Sequoyah County Treasurer
Voter Registration Records - Maintained by the County Election Board
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and registrations
Land Records - Surveys, plats, easements, and zoning information
County Commissioner Proceedings - Minutes, resolutions, and ordinances from county government meetings
Sheriff and Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, and jail records (with certain exemptions)
Budget and Financial Records - County expenditures, contracts, and financial statements

These records serve as essential tools for transparency in government operations, historical research, legal proceedings, and various personal and business matters for Sequoyah County residents.

Is Sequoyah County an Open Records County?

Sequoyah County operates as an open records county in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This comprehensive state law establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Act explicitly states that its purpose is "to ensure and facilitate the public's right of access to and review of government records so they may efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power."

The Sequoyah County Government adheres to these statutory requirements by:

Maintaining designated public access points for records requests at county offices
Providing reasonable accommodations for record inspection during regular business hours
Establishing procedures for responding to records requests in a timely manner
Publishing fee schedules for document reproduction when applicable
Training county personnel on open records compliance

Under Oklahoma law, Sequoyah County may only deny access to records that fall under specific statutory exemptions, such as those containing personally identifiable information, certain law enforcement investigative records, or records protected by attorney-client privilege. When denying a request, county officials must cite the specific legal provision authorizing the withholding of information.

The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office provides oversight of open records compliance and has issued binding opinions that guide Sequoyah County's implementation of the Act. Citizens who believe their records requests have been improperly denied may seek remedies through the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General or through judicial proceedings.

How Do I Find Public Records in Sequoyah County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records in Sequoyah County in 2025 may utilize several established methods to locate and access government information. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public access to records.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

Sequoyah County Courthouse
117 S. Oak Street
Sallisaw, OK 74955
(918) 775-5539
Sequoyah County Government

The specific procedure for obtaining records varies by record type:

Property Records: The Sequoyah County Assessor maintains property assessment records, while the County Clerk's office houses deeds, mortgages, and other land records. Basic property information is available through the Assessor's online database.
Court Records: Court documents may be accessed through the County Clerk's office or via the Oklahoma State Courts Network. Federal court records for cases involving Sequoyah County residents are available through PACER.
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Marriage licenses and divorce decrees are available through the County Clerk.
Criminal Records: The Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office provides certain law enforcement records, while comprehensive criminal history information is available through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Business Records: Business filings can be obtained through the County Clerk or the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Inmate Records: Information about current and former inmates in state custody, including those from Sequoyah County, is accessible through the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

For electronic access, many records are now available through the county's online portal systems. Records requests may also be submitted by mail with appropriate identification and fees enclosed. For complex requests, county officials recommend contacting the relevant department in advance to determine specific requirements and availability.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Sequoyah County?

Sequoyah County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. § 24A.5(3)), which permits reasonable charges for document reproduction, certified copies, and search time. The fee structure is designed to recover direct costs associated with fulfilling records requests rather than generating revenue.

Standard fees for common record types include:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: $1.00 per certification in addition to copy fees
Large Format Documents (maps, plats, blueprints): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
Digital Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic document delivery
Search Fees: $25.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time (first 15 minutes provided at no charge)

Specific departmental fees include:

County Clerk's Office:
- Deed recordings: $18.00 for first page, $2.00 each additional page
- Marriage license: $50.00 ($5.00 with premarital counseling certificate)
- Certified court records: $1.00 per page
County Assessor's Office:
- Property record cards: $5.00 per parcel
- Tax maps: $3.00 per page
Sheriff's Office:
- Incident/accident reports: $10.00 per report
- Background checks: $15.00 per name search

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and in some departments, credit/debit cards (subject to a processing fee). All fees must be paid prior to the release of requested records. The county treasurer deposits all collected fees into the county general fund as required by state law.

Pursuant to Oklahoma statute, county officials may waive fees when the release of records is determined to be in the public interest. Fee waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Does Sequoyah County Have Free Public Records?

Sequoyah County provides certain public records at no cost to requesters in accordance with Oklahoma state law and county policy. While many records carry statutory fees for reproduction or certification, several categories of information are available without charge.

Free public records in Sequoyah County include:

Online Property Information - Basic property ownership and assessment data is accessible at no cost through the Sequoyah County Assessor's online database. This includes property characteristics, assessed values, and tax information.
County Commissioner Meeting Minutes - Minutes and agendas of the Sequoyah County Board of Commissioners are available for public inspection at no charge at the County Clerk's office.
Voter Registration Verification - Individuals may verify their own voter registration status at no cost through the County Election Board.
Court Docket Information - Basic case information and scheduling data is available without charge through the Oklahoma State Courts Network.
County Budget Documents - Annual budget reports and financial statements are available for public inspection without reproduction fees.
In-Person Record Inspection - Pursuant to 51 O.S. § 24A.5, members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours without charge, provided such inspection does not disrupt government operations.

Additionally, the following agencies provide free access to certain records:

Sequoyah County Public Library
111 W. Cherokee Avenue
Sallisaw, OK 74955
(918) 775-4481

The library maintains public access computers where residents may access online county records and other government information at no cost.

Sequoyah County Election Board
110 E. Creek Avenue
Sallisaw, OK 74955
(918) 775-2614

The Election Board provides free public access to voter precinct maps, polling location information, and election results.

Who Can Request Public Records In Sequoyah County?

The Oklahoma Open Records Act establishes a broad right of access to public records for all persons, regardless of citizenship or residency status. In Sequoyah County, the following entities may request and receive public records:

Any Oklahoma resident or citizen
Non-residents of Oklahoma, including out-of-state individuals
Foreign nationals and non-U.S. citizens
Business entities, corporations, and organizations
Media representatives and journalists
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies and officials
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Academic researchers and educational institutions

Pursuant to 51 O.S. § 24A.5, Sequoyah County may not require requesters to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State a reason or purpose for the request
Sign a written statement or affidavit
Submit the request on a specific form

However, for certain protected records, requesters may need to demonstrate legal authorization to access the information. For example:

Attorneys must show proof of representation to access client-related records
Next of kin must provide documentation to access certain vital records
Authorized agents must present power of attorney or other legal authorization
Guardians must demonstrate legal custody to access records of minors

The county may require contact information solely for the purpose of communicating about the request status or clarifying request details. Sequoyah County officials process all legitimate records requests without discrimination based on the requester's identity or intended use of the information, except as specifically limited by statute.

What Records Are Confidential In Sequoyah County?

Sequoyah County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with state and federal laws that exempt specific information from public disclosure. Pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act and related statutes, the following categories of records are not available for public inspection:

Personal Identifying Information - Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and dates of birth appearing in public records are redacted prior to disclosure (51 O.S. § 24A.5(3)(b))
Juvenile Court Records - Records involving minors in delinquency, dependency, and neglect proceedings are confidential except by court order (10A O.S. § 1-6-102)
Medical and Health Information - Individual medical records, including mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, and disability documentation (76 O.S. § 19)
Active Criminal Investigations - Law enforcement investigatory records for ongoing cases where disclosure would compromise the investigation (51 O.S. § 24A.12)
Child Welfare Records - Reports and investigations of child abuse or neglect maintained by the Department of Human Services (10A O.S. § 1-2-101)
Sealed Court Records - Records sealed by judicial order, including expunged criminal records and certain domestic proceedings (22 O.S. § 18)
Attorney-Client Communications - Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and county attorneys (12 O.S. § 2502)
Personnel Records - Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information beyond name, position, salary, and employment dates (51 O.S. § 24A.7)
Certain Victim Information - Identifying details of victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking (22 O.S. § 60.14)
Critical Infrastructure Information - Security plans, access codes, and vulnerability assessments for public facilities (51 O.S. § 24A.28)
Educational Records - Student records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g)

When records contain both public and confidential information, Sequoyah County officials redact the protected content and release the remainder of the document. Individuals seeking access to confidential records may need to obtain a court order or demonstrate specific legal authorization as provided by applicable statutes.

Sequoyah County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Sequoyah County Clerk serves as the official recorder for the county, maintaining and preserving vital records, land documents, and other official filings. The office provides essential services to residents, businesses, and government agencies requiring access to public records.

Sequoyah County Clerk's Office
117 S. Oak Street, Room 103
Sallisaw, OK 74955
(918) 775-5539
Sequoyah County Government

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal/state holidays

The County Clerk's recording division is responsible for:

Recording and maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records
Issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records
Processing military discharge records (DD-214 forms)
Recording oil and gas leases and related documents
Maintaining county commissioner meeting minutes and resolutions
Filing fictitious name (DBA) registrations for businesses
Preserving historical records dating back to county formation

The public research area within the Clerk's office provides:

Computer terminals for searching digitized records
Assistance from deputy clerks for complex research
Self-service photocopiers (fees apply)
Notary services ($5.00 per signature)

For efficient service, visitors are advised to:

Call ahead for complex research needs
Bring proper identification for transactions requiring verification
Have property legal descriptions ready when researching land records
Prepare payment in acceptable forms (cash, check, or money order)

The Recorder's Office maintains a public records index searchable by name, property description, document type, and filing date. Records from 1985 to present are available in digital format, while earlier records may require assistance from staff to locate.