Comanche County, Oklahoma State Court Records
Comanche County court records are documents created and maintained by the Comanche County District Court or a municipal court in connection with a legal case. The Comanche County Court Clerk is responsible for court records from the District Court, while municipal court records are managed by individual clerks.
Court records are essential documents in the judiciary, but are also useful to other public agencies. Public records, such as property and vital records, are often modified based on information contained in court records.
Are Comanche County Court Records Public?
Yes. Comanche County court records are open to the public for inspection. Under the Oklahoma Public Records Act, anyone has the right to inspect or copy court records in Comanche and any other county in Oklahoma. However, this right is removed for court records that are considered confidential records. A court record is confidential if the law restricts access or when the court issues a sealing order. In some cases, only specific information in the record is restricted from the public.
The following court records and information are typically kept private:
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Guardianship records
- Grand jury proceedings
Sensitive personal details, such as tax identification numbers, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth, and addresses, are ideally non-public information. However, Rule 2.6 of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals states that if an individual mistakenly inputs any of these details into an open court document, the details become public as filed.
What Information is Available in Comanche County Court Records?
A Comanche County court record contains several details, including
- The names of the parties involved, including the lawyers and the judge
- The case number, filing date, and case type
- The petitions/complaints filed
- The case docket
- Court orders
Comanche County Court Records Search
Individuals seeking access to a court record in Comanche County may explore these options:
Online Access
Comanche County does not have a dedicated online portal for searching or accessing local court records. The county instead turns to the Oklahoma State Courts Network Docket Search portal for online access to its records. The portal provides access to case dockets from all counties in the state. Users who want to inspect Comanche County-specific information may filter the location via the drop-down menu on the portal.
Users should note that the portal only provides docket information (case number and document titles). For full case details and documents, individuals may need to contact the Clerk of Court's Office where the case is filed.
In-Person Access
Individuals can access Comanche County court records in person at the Comanche County Court Clerk's Office. Researchers may provide the case number, the approximate year the case was filed, and the names of the parties in the case. After receiving the details, the clerk will initiate a search for the record; however, it is not guaranteed that a search will be concluded on the same day. The clerk will also charge a fee for copies of the record. Requesters may phone the Clerk's Office to determine how much the copies will cost.
Mail and Phone Requests
Requests for court records in Comanche County may also be submitted by mail. Individuals may pen down the request or download and fill out the Court Clerk's Records Request Form. The completed form should then be placed in an envelope together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and payment (money order or cashier's check), and mailed to the Court Clerk's Office.
Individuals using the Records Request Form should note that the form cannot be used to request divorce decrees or marriage licenses.
Fees for Court Records in Comanche County
Below are the fees for obtaining copies of court records in Comanche County.
- Plain paper copies: $1 for the first page and 50 cents for each additional page
- Certified copies: 50 cents per document
- Authenticated copies: $5 per document
- Divorce Decrees: $10 per copy
Comanche County Courthouse Locations
The Comanche County court system is infused into the Oklahoma judicial system. Comanche County is under District 5 and is primarily served by a District Court, along with several municipal courts that handle traffic tickets and code violations. Below is the contact information for courts in the county.
Comanche County Courthouse
315 Southwest 5th Street
Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: (580) 355-4017
Lawton Municipal Court
100 South Railroad Street
Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: (580) 581-3265
Elgin Municipal Court
8183 Street Highway 17
Elgin, OK 73538
Phone: (580) 492-5777
Cache Municipal Court
404 C Avenue
Cache, OK 73527
Phone: (580) 429-3354 ext 2
Criminal Records Access in Comanche County
To obtain a criminal record in Comanche County, individuals have to first determine which agency holds the record. Criminal records are not exclusively maintained by the judiciary. For instance, criminal records relating to an arrest are primarily held by law enforcement. Individuals who want to access such records may visit the arresting agency.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) manages statewide criminal history records, which are summary documents of an individual's interaction with the state's criminal justice system. Individuals can access a criminal history record by performing a criminal history background check on the Criminal History Information Request Portal. Researchers need to provide the subject's first and last name and their date of birth. The cost for a background check is $15.
The Comanche County Court Clerk maintains the files for crimes prosecuted in the county. Inquirers seeking access may write a letter including the subject's full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and case number (if known). The letter may be submitted to the Court Clerk's Office in person or by mail. A record search costs $10, while copies cost $1.50 for the first page and 50 cents for each additional page.
Comanche County Probate Records
Comanche County probate records are court files containing details on the administration of a deceased person's estate. After a person dies, the court usually steps in through a process called probate to ensure that the person's debts are paid and the assets are validated and properly distributed to beneficiaries. Common probate records include wills, appraisals, decrees of distribution, and letters of administration.
Probate records are generally public in Comanche County; however, sensitive details are withheld from the public to protect the decedent's and family's privacy. Members of the public can find information on a probate record on the Oklahoma State Courts Network Docket Search portal. Users may select the Comanche County District Court as the court of interest and "probate" as the case type.
Comanche County Family Court Records
Family court records are documents related to litigation in a domestic matter. These records include adoption, divorce, paternity, child custody, and alimony. Family court records, like other court records, are presumed to be public. However, records on juveniles and adoption are kept secret.
Individuals can view docket information on family court records at no cost on the Oklahoma State Courts Network Docket Search portal. To inspect the physical record, one may visit the Comanche County courthouse.
Federal Court Records in Comanche County
Federal court records are documents maintained by the United States judiciary about a legal case. These records capture proceedings on cases handled by the federal judiciary. The United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma is the federal court with jurisdiction over federal matters originating from Comanche County.
Comanche County has a federal courthouse located in Lawton that serves the area. Comanche County residents may visit the courthouse to inspect a federal court record or search for the record on the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal.
