Oklahoma
Oklahoma Open Records Act
51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.33
Transparency Score: 48/100
Response Timeline
No fixed statutory deadline. Agency must 'promptly' undertake a search for records upon request. No specific number of days required for response or production.
No residency requirement. Any person may request public records.
How to Submit a Request
Accepted Methods
Requests may be written or oral. Written requests recommended for documentation purposes.
Required Elements
- Description of records sought
- Contact information for response
Optional Elements
- Preferred format
- Whether request is commercial or disruptive
Fees
$0.25/page max for standard copies (up to 8.5x14). $1 max for certified copies. Search fees permitted only for commercial or disruptive requests. No per-page charge for electronic records.
Fee Waivers
- Search fees waived for news media
- Search fees waived for scholars and authors
- Search fees waived for taxpayers seeking government accountability information
Search fees are waived for news media, scholars, authors, and taxpayers seeking government accountability. Copy fees still apply.
Exemptions
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Personnel records (§24A.7)
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Law enforcement records (§24A.8)
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Sealed bids and proposals (§24A.10)
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Records relating to pending litigation (§24A.12)
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Records received from federal government that are restricted (§24A.13)
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Educational student records (§24A.16)
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Terrorism-related security records (§24A.28)
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Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
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Attorney-client privileged communications
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Medical and psychiatric records
Oklahoma has numerous exemptions spread across multiple sections. The burden of proof is on the agency to justify withholding records.
Appeal Process
1
File suit in district court (§24A.17(B)(1)). Primary enforcement mechanism.
2
AG issues binding opinions on Open Records Act compliance.
Primary enforcement is through district court action. The AG also issues binding opinions on compliance. Willful violations may be prosecuted by the district attorney.
Request Templates
NFOIC Oklahoma Sample Request →
National Freedom of Information Coalition
RCFP Open Government Guide - Oklahoma →
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
MuckRock Oklahoma Guide →
MuckRock
FOI Oklahoma Resources →
FOI Oklahoma
Records Retention
67 O.S. §§ 201-215
The Archives and Records Commission (chaired by a Governor appointee) must approve all disposition schedules. No record less than five years old may be destroyed without a unanimous Commission vote; records over five years require a majority vote.