Search Comanche County Death Index
Comanche County death index records are maintained by the County Clerk in Lawton and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Located in southwestern Oklahoma, Comanche County is home to Fort Sill, one of the largest military installations in the country. The county has a population over 120,000, making it one of the most populous in the state. Death records here go back to 1908 through the state system. The military presence adds a layer to death record searches since some deaths at Fort Sill may involve federal records in addition to state and county files. The clerk's office in Lawton is the local starting point for any search.
Comanche County Overview
Comanche County Death Records Office
Carrie Tubbs serves as the Comanche County Clerk. The office is at 315 SW 5th Street, Suite 301, in Lawton. The clerk handles local vital records and can help with death index searches. The Court Clerk is Robert Morales, who can be reached at (580) 355-4017 for court-related matters. The county has a full set of officials including Sheriff Michael Merritt and District Attorney Kyle Cabelka. District judges serving Comanche County include Judges Meaders, Shaw, Sheperd, Tayloe, and Zwaan.
Comanche County has a large and diverse population due to Fort Sill. Military families move in and out of the area often, which can make death record searches more complex. A death that happened on the military installation may have both state and federal records associated with it. The county clerk can help with the state and county side, while the military handles its own records. The Comanche County Health Department at (580) 585-6649 is another resource for vital records questions.
| Office | Comanche County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Carrie Tubbs |
| Address | 315 SW 5th St #301 Lawton, OK 73501 |
| Phone | (580) 355-1052 |
| Court Clerk | Robert Morales - (580) 355-4017 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Comanche County official website has information on county services, departments, and contact numbers.
The county site provides links to each department and their services for Comanche County residents.
The county directory page lists all offices with direct phone numbers and addresses for easy reference.
Use the directory to find the exact office you need for your records request in Comanche County.
Search Comanche County Death Index Records
The Ok2Explore database is the best free tool for searching the Comanche County death index online. It covers records more than five years old from all 77 Oklahoma counties. Enter a name and the system shows matching entries. Comanche County has a larger population than most Oklahoma counties, so expect more results for common names. Once you find your match, order a certified copy from the state.
Court records are another path. The Oklahoma District Court Records system covers Comanche County public filings including probate and estate cases. These often contain death dates and related documents. The Oklahoma State Courts Network has docket access from the Comanche County district court. Both are free and available online.
Certified death certificates come from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The fee is $15 per copy. Order through VitalChek online, call 877-817-7364, or mail your request to PO Box 53551, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Lawton is about 85 miles from Oklahoma City, so in-person pick up at the state office is possible but a long round trip. Most people mail or order online. Allow four weeks for mail orders.
Note: Comanche County death records from the last 50 years are restricted under 63 O.S. Section 1-323. Only eligible family members and authorized persons can access recent records.
State Death Index for Comanche County
The Oklahoma State Department of Health stores all state death records at 1000 Northeast 10th Street in Oklahoma City. Records date from October 1908. Walk-in hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. For Comanche County residents, the drive is about an hour and a half on I-44, so in-person visits are doable for those who need quick turnaround.
Mail is the more common option. Send your completed form, photo ID copy, and $15 per copy to PO Box 53551, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Never mail originals. Processing takes about four weeks. VitalChek online orders are faster but have an added service fee. The Oklahoma Secretary of State handles apostille requests if you need a death certificate authenticated for use in another country. The CDC's Where to Write page also has current information on contacting the state vital records office.
The state Vital Records page has all the details for ordering Comanche County death certificates.
Who Can Get Comanche County Death Records
Access to recent death records is limited. Under 63 O.S. Section 1-323, certificates from the last 50 years go only to certain people. The list includes a surviving spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling, or legal guardian. Funeral directors of record, people named in the will, and those with a court order also qualify.
You need a valid photo ID for any request. Accepted forms are a driver's license, passport, military ID, or tribal photo ID with signature. Military families at Fort Sill should note that a military photo ID works as primary identification. Two secondary forms of ID are accepted if you lack a primary one, but one must show your address. The Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma has a clear guide on the process including amendment procedures. Amendments cost $25 extra.
Death records more than 50 years old are public. Anyone can request them without proving a family connection. This applies to all Comanche County records that meet the age threshold.
Historical Death Index in Comanche County
Comanche County was created in 1907 when the area was opened for settlement. Before that, it was part of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache reservation. Fort Sill has been active since 1869, so military death records in the area go back much further than civilian records. The state vital records system started in 1908 but did not reach full compliance until around 1930. For early deaths, the courthouse in Lawton and Fort Sill's records office may have information not found in the state system.
The Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center holds genealogy resources for Comanche County. Collections include funeral home records, newspaper obituaries, and probate files from the Lawton area. In-person visitors get free access to Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, and HeritageQuest Online. The OHS Research Center also has tribal records and military-related documents that cover the Comanche County area.
Fort Sill has a National Cemetery where military personnel and their dependents are buried. Records for these burials are maintained by the National Cemetery Administration. The Lawton Public Library has a genealogy section with local history materials including obituary files. Cemetery records from across Comanche County have been indexed by local groups and can help fill gaps in the official death index.
The OHS genealogy page has databases and collections covering Comanche County death records and family research.
Cities in Comanche County
Comanche County includes the city of Lawton. Death records for Lawton residents are handled through the county and state offices.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Comanche County. Check them if you need to search for death records in neighboring areas.