How to Find Owners of Properties
in Oklahoma

There are several ways to conduct a property owner search in Oklahoma, but we can group all of them under two broad categories. The first is by checking public records, and the other is by using third-party online resources. With these methods, you can find a property owner by address, name, or other simple identifiers.

Here are some easy ways to search for property owners in Oklahoma:

Check the Registry of Deeds

As in most counties, the county office of the clerk is responsible for maintaining public records of real estate documents like the Registry of Deeds and other vital documents. The registry of deeds contains property records, including deeds, liens, real estate contracts, names of property owners, and so on.

If you're conducting a property owner search in Oklahoma by yourself, checking through the Registry of Deeds is a good place to start your search. The records are open to anyone to check between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. But if you prefer to do an online search instead, below are the websites of some of the top counties in Oklahoma:

• Payne County
• Kingfisher County
• Carter County
• Marshall County
• Comanche County
• Washington County

To access the public records physically, locate the public access terminal, also called the land records department of the county you're researching. Then, request the Registry of Deeds from the clerk officer and search using any of the following:

• Property address
• Owner's name
• Parcel number
• Property description

Search with the Oklahoma's Land Records Website

You can also find the owner of the property free of charge by searching the state's land records website. Like the Registry of Deeds, land records contain property-related information, including ownership, deeds, mortgages, and other documents.

While Oklahoma does not have a state-level land records website, you can still access property information online through the U.S. Department of the Interior's website.

Here's a simple guide to help you navigate the website:

• Visit the website and scroll to the search section.
• Select Oklahoma as the state.
• Next, select the type of document you're searching.
• Enter the required information, such as location, land description, or identifier.
• Click on the search button and review the results.

Searching for property ownership details on the land records website is generally free. However, some records may cost a fee to access.

Go to the County Assessor's Office

The assessor's office keeps records of real estate documents such as property records, tax data, and several others that contain the ownership details you need. The search process follows a similar approach to the one with the Registry of Deeds. So, you can follow the steps highlighted earlier.

The records are available both online and physically at the designated officers. Depending on the details available, both routes allow you to find property owner by address, parcel number, etc.

If you're going the online way, you can search with the Oklahoma County Assessor's Association or the Oklahoma Tax Commission website. These websites provide directories and contact information for county assessor's offices statewide.

For a physical visit, it is best to confirm the availability of the assessor first. But if you're doing it the virtual way, here are the websites of some of the top counties in Oklahoma:

• Texas County
• Canadian County
• Tulsa County
• Custer County
• Wagoner County
• Dewey County

Search Through Tax Records

In Oklahoma, anyone who owns property must pay annual taxes. The local assessor's office or the treasurer maintains records of these payments alongside the property owner's name.

To conduct an Oklahoma house owner lookup with tax records, visit the county's property tax website or office with the following details:

• Property address
• Tax year
• Parcel number

For an online search, visit the Oklahoma County Public Records. Next, navigate to the assessor's data to begin your search.

Employ the Services of a Title Company/Agency

Title companies are a good alternative if you don't want to do the owner's search yourself. These third-party organizations offer several title-related services, such as issuing title insurance and investigating title ownership.

Although their services come at a fee, enlisting their help will avoid the stress of flipping multiple pages of public records. Depending on the company, a basic title search may range from $100-$300.

Apart from hiring a title company, here are other viable ways you can get the ownership details you're looking for:

• Ask neighbors and locals in the area
• Engage real estate lawyers/agents
• Search with relevant websites

Property ownership simply means the extent of legal rights and interests a person has in a property. Depending on the type, these rights or interests may be absolute or shared with other persons.

Before acquiring any properties, it is important to understand the different types of property ownership, as your choice will influence your rights, access to finance, responsibilities, and financial duties like tax, etc.

In Oklahoma, the common types of property ownership include:

• Joint Tenancy
• Sole Ownership
• Tenancy in Common
• Community Property
• Tenancy by Entirety

Here is a table explaining the description, benefits, and legal implications of each ownership arrangement:

In Oklahoma, property ownership is not limited to individual titles alone. Legal entities like trusts, corporations, partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies are also legally permitted to own and use real estate properties.

Bearing the complexity involved in mind, you can enlist the help of real estate attorneys and title companies for this type of search. However, if you're taking up the search yourself, you can cross-reference public records or search with online databases.

Here are ways to apply these ideas in a typical Oklahoma house owner lookup:

Finding the Owner of a Trust in Oklahoma

Besides the Registry of Deeds, county clerks also maintain documents relating to trusts. To find the owner of a trust, you can conduct an online search through websites with these public records or physically request the information at the county clerk's office.

However, note that some information may not be accessible to the public. In that case, consider approaching the trustee, if known, to inquire about the owner of the trust. If you get stuck anywhere, consider seeking professional help from real estate lawyers and agents.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in Oklahoma

You can search Oklahoma business entities through the Oklahoma Secretary of State's database. To do this:

• Visit the Oklahoma Secretary of State's website
• Use the Business Entity Search tool to input the LLC's name and search.
• The search will provide you with basic information about the LLC.
• If you cannot find the owner's name, check for the business's registered agent. Then, contact them to inquire about the LLC's owners.

Another alternative is to access public records online using the links provided earlier or visit the office of the county clerk.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in Oklahoma

To find the owner(s) of a corporation in Oklahoma, you can start by searching the Corporation Name on the Oklahoma Secretary of State website. In cases where the information you require is unavailable at the point of search, you can fill out an open record request form on the Oklahoma Department of Labor's website.

A property deed is a legal document that reflects property transfer from one person to another. In Oklahoma, deeds transfer real estate ownership from seller to buyer and are handled by the local county clerk's office. This ownership transfer can either be partial or full.

Below are the common deeds in Oklahoma:

Apart from the highlighted deed types, you may find the following also applicable in Oklahoma:

• Mortgage Deed
• Grant Deeds
• Bargain and Sales Deed

Transferring property ownership is a delicate process that requires careful attention to detail. To avoid problems, you should understand the legal and administrative procedures involved before purchasing a property.

The following is a detailed guide that outlines the steps involved in a typical property transfer process in Oklahoma:

• Determine the Type of Property Transfer: There are many ways to transfer properties, but the popular ones are sales, wills, and gifts. Generally, the transfer route will determine the tax payable and the kind of deed to prepare for the transaction.
• Title Search: A title search helps ensure a seller has a valid title to the property and the right to sell it. A thorough review of public records will enable you to identify any encumbrances or limitations on the property's title before purchase.
• Prepare the Deed: To prepare a deed, you will need the services of an attorney. In Oklahoma, attorneys charge from $150-$1500 depending on the type and complexity of the deed.
• Pay Transfer Taxes: Transfer taxes, also known as conveyance taxes, are charged when property is transferred to a new owner. While negotiable, the seller is usually responsible for paying transfer tax in Oklahoma. The current transfer tax of the state is set at $0.75 per every $500 made in the property transfer transactions.
• Review and Record the Deed: Oklahoma has 67 counties, each with a Recorder of Deeds responsible for recording real estate documents, including deeds. Deeds that lack essential information, such as the new owner's name, may be deemed ineffective and rejected by the county clerk. The recording fee for recording an Oklahoma deed is $18 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
• Update Records: As the new property owner, you need to notify the tax and assessor offices of the change of ownership in properties. This is necessary so that subsequent bills and information regarding the property are directed to the new owner.
• Title Insurance Policy Issuance: Finally, obtain title insurance. Title insurance is a form of insurance that protects buyers from financial loss and related legal expenses where there is a defect in title to a property that is covered by the policy. While obtaining the insurance is not mandated, it serves as a guard against property fraud. In Oklahoma, title insurance costs around 0.5% to 1% of the property sales price.