Washington County Court Records Search
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Washington County is located in northeastern Oklahoma, with Bartlesville as its county seat. The county operates a unified court system anchored by the Washington County District Court, which exercises general jurisdiction over felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes of all types, family law proceedings, probate matters, juvenile cases, and small claims. Four Municipal Courts — in Bartlesville, Copan, Dewey, and Ramona — handle traffic infractions and violations of city ordinances within their respective boundaries. All permanent case files for District Court proceedings are managed by the Court Clerk’s office at the Washington County Courthouse.
Locating court records in Oklahoma involves several official resources. The Oklahoma Supreme Court Network (OSCN) provides free access to District Court docket information statewide, including Washington County cases, searchable by party name, case number, or traffic citation number. The On Demand Court Records (ODCR) platform also publishes public docket sheets from participating Oklahoma district courts, with free searching and low-cost document access. In-person requests can be directed to the Court Clerk’s office at the courthouse during regular business hours. For a broader view of Oklahoma court resources, OklahomaCourts.us may assist in identifying available case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?
The approach to finding a case depends on the type of proceeding and the court that handled it.
Washington County District Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 420 South Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003 |
| Phone | (918) 337-2870 |
| Fax | (918) 337-2897 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (no filings or payments accepted after 4:45 p.m.) |
| Court Clerk | Jean Davis |
The District Court sits under four judicial officers:
- Linda Thomas — District Judge
- Russell Vaclaw — Associate District Judge
- Jared Sigler — Special Judge
- Kyra K. Williams — Special Judge
Judge and court assignment information is listed on the County Judges page.
Municipal Courts
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bartlesville Municipal Court | 401 South Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003 | (918) 338-4225 |
| Copan Municipal Court | 112 North Caney Street, Copan, OK 74022 | (918) 532-4114 |
| Dewey Municipal Court | 409 East Don Tyler Avenue, Dewey, OK 74029 | (918) 534-2223 |
| Ramona Municipal Court | 400 2nd Street, P.O. Box 204, Ramona, OK 74061 | (918) 536-2245 |
Online Case Search
Two statewide platforms provide free access to Washington County District Court dockets:
- OSCN — The Oklahoma Supreme Court Network docket search allows users to search by county, party name, case number, date range, or traffic citation. Results display the full docket sheet with all filings, hearings, parties, and case status.
- ODCR — On Demand Court Records offers searching by party name or case number. The platform is free to search; users can also make online payments on eligible cases.
In-Person Requests
The Court Clerk’s office at the Washington County Courthouse processes record requests during regular business hours. All court proceedings are public information except those related to juvenile, guardianship, adoption, and mental health cases. The Court Clerk follows procedures prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Oklahoma Supreme Court, including Rule 31 guidelines for filers.
Copy fees established under Oklahoma’s Uniform Fee Schedule (28 O.S. § 31) are:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page of a copy | $1.00 |
| Each additional page | $0.50 |
| Certification per instrument | $0.50 |
| Authentication of court record | $5.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Washington County?
The Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. § 24A.1 et seq.) establishes that records maintained by public bodies, including courts, are presumptively open to inspection and copying. Under 51 O.S. § 24A.30, all court records are subject to the Act unless specifically identified by statute as confidential or sealed by court order.
When a court does seal records, the sealing order must state the specific reasons, be narrowly tailored so that only confidential portions are restricted while the remainder stays open, and set a date or conditions for review of the seal.
Categories of records restricted from public access in Washington County include:
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors as offenders or children in need of supervision are confidential under the Oklahoma Juvenile Code.
- Adoption records — all adoption files are sealed and accessible only by court order or to statutorily authorized persons.
- Guardianship records — filings involving guardianship of minors or incapacitated adults are generally not open to the public.
- Mental health records — involuntary commitment proceedings and related filings are confidential.
- Sealed records — any case or portion of a case sealed by court order is removed from public access.
- Medical records — health information submitted as evidence in court filings is restricted.
Vital records follow separate rules. Under 63 O.S. § 1-323, Oklahoma birth certificates are confidential for 125 years after birth, and death certificates are confidential for 50 years after death.
Washington County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Washington County are prosecuted in the District Court for felony and misdemeanor offenses. Municipal Courts in Bartlesville, Copan, Dewey, and Ramona handle traffic violations and city ordinance infractions. Criminal court costs in Oklahoma are assessed upon conviction or through a deferred judgment procedure; they are not typically collected at the time of filing.
Key criminal cost amounts under the Oklahoma Uniform Fee Schedule include:
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Misdemeanor conviction costs | $93.00 |
| Felony conviction costs | $103.00 |
| Misdemeanor DUI conviction costs | $433.00 |
| Felony DUI conviction costs | $433.00 |
| Traffic conviction costs (other than speeding 1–10 mph, DUI, seatbelt) | $98.00 |
| Jury request (criminal) | $30.00 |
| Court reporter per trial or preliminary hearing | $20.00 |
| Indigent defense application | $40.00 |
| Sheriff service per criminal case within county | $50.00 |
Criminal dockets can be searched on OSCN or ODCR by defendant name, case number, or citation number. OSCN’s citation search feature is particularly useful for traffic and criminal infractions issued in Washington County.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and operates the county jail. Current booking information is available through the Sheriff’s inmate search portal.
- Address: 611 SW Adams Boulevard, Bartlesville, OK 74003
- Office: (918) 332-4000
- Dispatch: (918) 338-4001
- Jail: (918) 332-4011
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Written requests for criminal records may be mailed or delivered to the Sheriff’s Office. Statewide criminal history checks can be obtained through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), which maintains the state’s central criminal history repository.
Washington County Civil Court Records
The Washington County District Court hears all civil matters, including personal injury claims, contract disputes, property damage actions, landlord-tenant proceedings, personal property recovery, and small claims. The Court Clerk maintains civil case files and is responsible for recording, filing, and preserving these records as permanent documents. Jean Davis currently serves as Court Clerk.
Civil Filing Fees
Oklahoma’s Uniform Fee Schedule (Title 28, O.S. § 152) establishes the following base filing fees for civil actions, to which additional surcharges are added (including a $10.00 preservation fee per HB1091, effective November 1, 2019):
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action — $10,000 or less | $150.00 |
| Civil action — over $10,000 | $163.00 |
| All other civil actions | $85.00 |
| Condemnation | $150.00 |
| Forcible entry and detainer | $85.00 |
| Name change | $85.00 |
| Administrative appeal | $85.00 |
| Judgment from another court | $85.00 |
| Garnishment | $23.00 |
| Continuing garnishment | $63.00 |
| Post-judgment proceeding | $33.00 |
| Summary judgment motion | $50.00 |
| Expungement (filed as civil case) | $85.00 |
Additional fees assessed on every new civil filing include a $7.00 mediation/ADR fee, $10.00 Lengthy Trial Fund fee, $6.00 Law Library Fund assessment, $25.00 OCIS fee, $5.00 CASA fee, and several smaller surcharges.
Small Claims
Small claims actions in Washington County may be brought for amounts up to $10,000. Filing fees under the small claims schedule are:
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| $5,000 or less | $45.00 |
| $5,001–$10,000 (recovery of money, replevin, or interpleader) | $150.00 |
| Counterclaim or set-off | $20.00 |
| Court reporter deposit | $50.00 |
| Jury trial deposit | $50.00 |
Requesting Records
Civil records may be obtained in person at the Court Clerk’s office, by mail, or by emailing the Clerk. Civil case dockets are also searchable online through OSCN and ODCR.
Land and Property Records
The Washington County Clerk, Annette Smith, serves as the Register of Deeds and custodian of land records. Property instruments including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are filed and indexed at:
- Address: 400 South Johnstone, Room 100, Bartlesville, OK 74003
- Office: (918) 337-2840
- Land Records: (918) 337-2834
- Fax: (918) 337-2894
Scanned land records are available online through OKCountyRecords.com, which also offers a free notification service when documents are recorded against a specific name or legal description.
Washington County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Washington County are adjudicated in the District Court. The Court Clerk files and maintains all records for divorce, custody, child support, paternity, separate maintenance, and Protection From Abuse actions.
Family and Divorce Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce, alimony without divorce | $183.00 |
| Custody or support (includes paternity with custody/support) | $183.00 |
| Paternity (no custody or support) | $85.00 |
| Separate maintenance | $183.00 |
| Post-decree motion to modify custody or support | $43.00 |
| Application for contempt citation | $33.00 |
| Post-decree income assignment application | $25.00 |
| Adoption | $105.00 |
These base fees are supplemented by the same surcharges that apply to all civil filings (ADR fee, OCIS fee, Law Library fee, etc.). The $10.00 preservation fee also applies to new family law filings.
Marriage Licenses
The Court Clerk issues marriage licenses in Washington County. Per the Court Clerk FAQ:
- Fee: $50.00 (cash), reduced to $5.00 if applicants present a certificate of at least 4 hours of pre-marital counseling from a health professional or religious institution representative.
- Both parties must appear at the Court Clerk’s office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Identification required: Current state-issued driver’s license, birth certificate with raised seal, current passport, or equivalent.
- Age requirements: 18 and older as adults; 16–17 with parental/guardian consent; under 15 prohibited except by court order.
- Waiting period: None for adults; 72 hours for applicants under 18 (unless waived by a judge).
- Divorce restriction: Persons divorced in Oklahoma cannot marry anyone other than their former spouse for six months following the date of the dissolution decree.
- Residency: No residency requirement, but the ceremony must be performed in Oklahoma.
Marriage records from Washington County are public and can be obtained from the Court Clerk’s office.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are public in Washington County. The Court Clerk maintains all divorce filings, decrees, and related documents. Copies may be requested in person, by mail, or by contacting the Clerk’s office at (918) 337-2870.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Vital Records Service. To request a certified copy by mail:
- Complete the Birth Certificate Request Form or Death Certificate Request Form.
- Enclose a photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID.
- Include the $15.00 fee (check payable to OSDH) and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Mail to: Vital Records Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, P.O. Box 248964, Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964.
Birth records are confidential for 125 years; death records for 50 years. Only statutorily authorized individuals — including certificate subjects, parents named on the record, legal guardians, legal representatives with court orders, surviving spouses, immediate family members, funeral directors, and government officials acting in their official capacity — may obtain copies within those restricted periods.
Washington County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Washington County are heard in the District Court, which has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration and distribution of estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and powers of attorney.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate (standard) | $135.00 |
| Probate (summary) | $135.00 |
| Guardianship | $135.00 |
| Application for relative guardianship | $50.00 |
| Petition for custody by abandonment | $50.00 |
| Guardianship annual report | $33.00 |
| Conservatorship | $85.00 |
| Judicial determination of death | $58.00 |
| Proceeding to revoke probate of will | $43.00 |
| Sale or lease of property in probate/guardianship | $43.00 |
| Rights of majority | $85.00 |
Standard surcharges (OCIS, Law Library, CASA, ADR, preservation fee, etc.) are added to base filing fees. Mailing charges in probate cases are $10.00 per case for ordinary first-class mail, or actual postage if greater.
Searching Probate Records
Probate docket sheets are available through OSCN and ODCR. In-person requests may be directed to the Court Clerk’s office at the Washington County Courthouse (420 South Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003). The Court Clerk’s office also accepts written requests by mail. Note that guardianship records are among those the Court Clerk identifies as restricted from general public access, so requestors should be prepared to demonstrate authorization when seeking guardianship files.
Sheriff’s fees on court-ordered sales of real or personal property in probate are $75.00 per 28 O.S. § 152.1 A.6. Preparing and transmitting records on appeal costs $200.00 for non-jury matters and $300.00 for jury cases.