Comanche County Court Records Search
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Comanche County is situated in southwestern Oklahoma, with Lawton serving as the county seat and the region’s largest city. The county’s court operations fall within Oklahoma’s Fifth Judicial District, where seven judges handle matters across the District Court’s criminal, civil, family, and probate divisions. The Comanche County Court Clerk’s Office, an elected position responsible for recording, filing, and maintaining all District Court proceedings, operates three separate offices inside the Comanche County Courthouse. In addition to the District Court, several municipal courts located throughout the county handle local ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor offenses.
Individuals looking for court records in Oklahoma can begin their search through the clerk’s office that maintains the relevant case files, visit the courthouse in person, or use electronic docket systems maintained by the state judiciary. The Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) provides free online docket searches for cases filed in district courts across the state, including Comanche County. Additional case information for Oklahoma courts may be available through OklahomaCourts.us, which can help users locate publicly available court case data. Records can also be requested by mail using the forms published on the Comanche County Court Clerk’s website.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Comanche County?
Comanche County court records can be accessed through three primary methods: online docket searches, in-person visits to the courthouse, and written requests submitted by mail.
Online Docket Search
The fastest way to locate a Comanche County case is through the OSCN Docket Search, which allows free searches by party name, case number, or traffic citation number. Select “Comanche” from the court selection menu to narrow results to local cases. Docket entries, hearing dates, and case dispositions are typically available. The On Demand Court Records (ODCR) system is another option and can be used alongside OSCN.
The Comanche County Court Clerk website also links to docket information and provides guidance on requesting specific documents.
In-Person Search
Walk-in visitors can search records at the Comanche County Courthouse during regular business hours. The Court Clerk’s Office is divided into three sections, each in a different suite:
| Office | Location | Phone | Case Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Office | Room 207 | (580) 355-4565 | Civil claims, divorce, custody, paternity, probate, guardianship |
| Criminal Office | Room 504 | (580) 355-4017 | Felony, misdemeanor, traffic, wildlife |
| Small Claims Office | Room 205 | (580) 250-5093 | Money judgments, replevin, forcible entry & detainer, protective orders, adoptions, juvenile |
Comanche County Courthouse
Address: 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Requesters should bring as much identifying information as possible, including full party names, case numbers, and approximate filing dates. A record search costs $10.00. Copy fees are $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Certification adds $0.50 per instrument, and authentication of a court record costs $5.00.
Mail Requests
To request records by mail, complete the Records Request Form available on the Court Clerk’s website. For criminal records specifically, a separate procedure applies through the Criminal Records Request page. All mail requests must include:
- A written letter or completed form specifying the full name of the record subject, case number (if known), and any relevant dates
- A cashier’s check or money order payable to “Comanche County Court Clerk” covering the $10.00 search fee plus anticipated copy costs
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of documents
Personal checks and cash are not accepted for mail requests. Send requests to:
Comanche County Court Clerk
315 SW 5th Street, Suite 504
Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: (580) 355-4017
Fax: (580) 248-5068
Some older records may not be immediately available; the Court Clerk’s Office recommends calling ahead to confirm availability before visiting.
Are Court Records Public in Comanche County?
Oklahoma’s Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1–24A.30) establishes that records maintained by public bodies, including courts, are open to inspection and copying by any person during regular business hours. This right of access applies broadly to District Court filings in Comanche County, encompassing civil complaints, criminal case dockets, judgments, orders, divorce decrees, and probate filings.
However, certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access:
- Sealed records: Cases sealed by court order are not available for public inspection. A judge must issue a specific directive to seal a record, and only the court can authorize its release.
- Juvenile records: Proceedings involving minors adjudicated as delinquent, deprived, or in need of supervision are confidential under Oklahoma law.
- Adoption records: Finalized adoption files are sealed and require a court order to access.
- Expunged records: Once a court grants an expungement under 22 O.S. § 18, the relevant records are sealed from public view.
- Sensitive personal information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain victim information may be redacted from publicly available documents.
- Grand jury proceedings: These records remain confidential unless a court orders otherwise.
- Attorney-client privileged materials and attorney work product: These are exempt under both statute and court rule.
Under 51 O.S. § 24A.30, all court records are subject to the Open Records Act unless a specific statute designates them as confidential. The Court Clerk’s Office may deny access to exempt records but must cite the applicable legal authority for doing so. Copy and certification fees described above apply to all public record requests.
Comanche County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Comanche County are prosecuted in the District Court, with felony and misdemeanor cases managed through the Criminal Office (Room 504) of the Court Clerk. The Small Claims Office (Room 205) handles certain related filings, including protective orders. Municipal courts throughout the county also adjudicate local ordinance violations and some misdemeanor offenses.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal dockets can be searched online through OSCN at no charge. In-person searches are available at the Criminal Office, and mail requests follow the procedure outlined on the Criminal Records page of the Court Clerk’s website.
To request a criminal record by mail or in person, provide the subject’s full name, date of birth, Social Security number, date of offense, and case number (if known). The search fee is $10.00, copies cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, and payment must be by cashier’s check or money order. The Criminal Office does not accept criminal records requests by email.
Arrest and Booking Records
Arrest records and current inmate information are maintained by the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office, located at:
Comanche County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 315 SW 5th Street, Room 102, Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: (580) 353-4280
The county also provides an Inmate Lookup tool through the Sheriff’s Office website for current detention information.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For comprehensive background searches beyond Comanche County records, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) serves as the state repository for criminal history information. Requests can be submitted through the OSBI’s online CHIRP portal or by mail. Fees are:
- Name-based search: $15.00
- Fingerprint-based search: $19.00
- Sex Offender database search: $2.00
- Violent Offender database search: $2.00
Mail requests should be directed to the OSBI at 6600 N. Harvey, Oklahoma City, OK 73116. Acceptable payment includes cash (in person only), cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. Fax requests ((405) 879-2503) require credit card payment.
Expungement
Oklahoma law permits the sealing of certain criminal records through expungement under 22 O.S. § 18. Eligible categories include acquittals, dismissals, cases where charges were not filed within the statute of limitations, completed deferred sentences, certain misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods, and qualifying nonviolent felony convictions. The filing fee for an expungement petition is $85.00 when filed as a separate civil case. Petitions are submitted to the District Court in the county where the case was heard.
Comanche County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Comanche County is handled through the District Court, with filings divided between the Civil Office (Room 207) and the Small Claims Office (Room 205) based on case type and amount in controversy.
Jurisdictional Divisions
The Civil Office manages large civil actions—contract disputes, personal injury, negligence, and indebtedness claims—as well as all family and probate matters. The Small Claims Office handles money judgments and replevin actions for amounts up to $10,000, as well as forcible entry and detainer (eviction) cases.
Filing Fees (Uniform Oklahoma Fee Schedule, effective November 1, 2021)
| Case Type | Base Filing Fee | Statutory Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Civil action ($10,000 or less) | $150.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.9 |
| Civil action ($10,001 or more) | $163.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.10 |
| All other civil actions | $85.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.14 |
| Forcible entry & detainer | $85.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.14 |
| Garnishment | $23.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.11 |
| Continuing garnishment | $63.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.12 |
| Small claims ($5,000 or less) | $45.00 | 12 O.S. § 1764 |
| Small claims ($5,001–$10,000) | $150.00 | 12 O.S. § 1764 |
| Summary judgment motion | $50.00 | 28 O.S. § 152.1 A.10 |
Additional mandatory surcharges apply to all civil filings, including a $25.00 OCIS fee, $7.00 mediation/ADR fee, $10.00 Lengthy Trial Fund fee, $6.00 Law Library Fund assessment, and a $10.00 records management fee. These amounts are collected on top of the base filing fee.
Requesting Civil Records
Civil case records are available through the same methods described above: OSCN online search, in-person requests at the Civil Office, or mail submissions using the Records Request Form. Copy fees are $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page. Certified copies add $0.50, and authenticated copies cost $5.00.
E-Filing
Comanche County participates in Oklahoma’s statewide electronic filing system. Attorneys and state agencies can file documents through the OSCN E-Filing Portal. Technical support is available by email at eFilingSupport@oscn.net or by phone at (877) 532-0114. The Court Clerk’s Office does not print copies of electronically filed documents on behalf of filers.
Municipal Courts
Several municipalities in Comanche County operate their own courts for local ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lawton Municipal Court | 102 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501 | (580) 581-3265 |
| Cache Municipal Court | 404 West C Avenue, Cache, OK 73527 | (580) 429-3354 ext. 101 |
| Elgin Municipal Court | 8183 State Highway 17, Elgin, OK 73538 | (580) 492-5777 |
| Fletcher Municipal Court | 423 West Cole Avenue, Fletcher, OK 73541 | (580) 549-6550 |
| Geronimo Municipal Court | 100 West Main Street, Geronimo, OK 73543 | (580) 353-5511 |
| Medicine Park Municipal Court | 154 East Lake Drive, Medicine Park, OK 73557 | (580) 529-2825 |
| Sterling Municipal Court | 2 North 2nd Avenue, Sterling, OK 73567 | (580) 365-4445 |
| Chattanooga Municipal Court | 302 3rd Street, Chattanooga, OK 73528 | (580) 597-3390 |
| Indiahoma Municipal Court | P.O. Box 38, Indiahoma, OK 73552 | (580) 246-3572 |
Records from municipal courts must be requested directly from each respective court.
Comanche County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Comanche County are adjudicated by the District Court and filed through the Civil Office (Room 207). These matters include divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and separate maintenance actions. Protective orders and adoption cases are handled through the Small Claims Office (Room 205).
Divorce and Custody
Divorce filings, including contested and uncontested dissolutions, are initiated through the Civil Office. The filing fee for divorce, alimony without divorce, custody, or support cases is $183.00 (28 O.S. § 152 A.1). A motion to modify or vacate a decree involving custody or support costs $43.00, and an application for contempt citation is $33.00. Income assignment applications carry a $25.00 fee.
Copies of divorce decrees and other family court documents can be requested from the Court Clerk’s Office. The Comanche County Court Clerk website provides separate guidance for requesting divorce decrees, which follow a different process than the general records request form.
Protective Orders
Applications for protective orders are filed in the Small Claims Office (Room 205). These filings address domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and related matters. Oklahoma law provides for emergency, temporary, and final protective orders under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act (22 O.S. § 60 et seq.).
Adoption
Adoption proceedings are also handled through the Small Claims Office. The filing fee for an adoption case is $105.00 (28 O.S. § 152 A.8). Finalized adoption records are sealed by law and are not subject to public disclosure. A court order is required to unseal an adoption file.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Comanche County are issued by the Court Clerk’s Office. The marriage license application is available on the county website and can be submitted in person or by mail. Key requirements and fees:
- License fee: $50.00 (reduced to $5.00 with proof of premarital counseling, per 28 O.S. § 31)
- Both applicants must provide current photo identification
- Applications submitted by mail should be sent to Room 504; in-person applications are processed in Room 205
- After the ceremony, the original license must be returned to the Court Clerk within 30 days for recording
- If a judge performs the ceremony, an additional $10.00 fee applies
- Payment accepted: cash, credit/debit card, money order, or cashier’s check
Comanche County no longer performs courthouse marriages. Applicants who are minors must contact the Court Clerk’s Office at (580) 250-5093 for instructions on additional requirements.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not maintained by the Court Clerk. These vital records are managed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Division, located at 123 Robert S. Kerr Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, Phone: (877) 817-7364 Certified copies cost $15.00 each. Birth certificates are restricted for 125 years and accessible only to the named individual, immediate family, or legal representatives. Death certificates carry a 75-year restriction with similar eligibility requirements.
Comanche County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Comanche County fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court and are filed through the Civil Office (Room 207) of the Court Clerk. Oklahoma district courts exercise full probate jurisdiction under Title 58 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which governs estate administration, the probate of wills, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Types of Probate Proceedings
The District Court handles the following probate case types:
- Estate administration: Distribution of a decedent’s assets, payment of debts, and resolution of claims against the estate
- Probate of wills: Filing and validating a decedent’s last will and testament
- Summary probate: A simplified process available for smaller or uncontested estates
- Guardianship: Appointment of a guardian for minors or incapacitated adults (filing fee $135.00 under 28 O.S. § 152 A.3; relative guardianship applications $50.00 under 30 O.S. § 4-404 C)
- Conservatorship: Appointment of a conservator to manage the financial affairs of a protected person (filing fee $85.00)
- Trusts and claims against the estate: Contested matters involving trust instruments or creditor claims
Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Fee | Statutory Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Probate (standard) | $135.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.3 |
| Probate (summary) | $135.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.3 |
| Guardianship | $135.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.3 |
| Relative guardianship application | $50.00 | 30 O.S. § 4-404 C |
| Guardianship annual report | $33.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.4 |
| Conservatorship | $85.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.14 |
| Sale/lease of property in probate or guardianship | $43.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.5 |
| Revocation of probate of will | $43.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.6 |
| Judicial determination of death | $58.00 | 28 O.S. § 152 A.7 |
Standard surcharges (OCIS, Law Library, CASA, mediation, records management, and others) are assessed in addition to base filing fees.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case dockets are searchable online through OSCN by selecting Comanche County and entering the decedent’s or ward’s name. In-person searches can be conducted at the Civil Office during regular business hours. Mail requests follow the same procedure used for other civil records and should be directed to the Comanche County Court Clerk at 315 SW 5th Street, Suite 504, Lawton, OK 73501.
Property Records
While not probate records per se, property ownership and transfer records that may be relevant to estate matters are maintained by the Comanche County Assessor’s Office and the County Clerk. The Assessor’s Office offers an online property search tool, and land records filed with the County Clerk (Room 304, Phone: (580) 355-5214) can be searched through Oklahoma County Records. These resources may be useful when tracing real property interests during probate administration.