Find Latimer County Genealogy
Latimer County genealogy records date back to the early 1900s, with marriage files starting in 1906 and land records going all the way to 1890. The county seat is Wilburton in southeast Oklahoma. Researchers can search court files, marriage records, probate cases, and deed books through the county clerk and court clerk. Latimer County was formed from Choctaw lands in 1902, five years before Oklahoma statehood. That early formation means some records here are older than what you will find in counties that started at statehood. The local historical and genealogical society in Wilburton is also a strong resource for family researchers working in this area.
Latimer County Overview
Latimer County Clerk Office
Erin Adams serves as the Latimer County Clerk. The office is at 109 N. Central, Room 103, Wilburton, OK 74578. You can call (918) 465-4002 to ask about records. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk keeps land records starting from 1890, along with birth and death records from 1908 and military discharge files. Staff can help with walk-in requests and also handle mail inquiries if you include full names, dates, and a return envelope.
The Court Clerk is a separate office in the courthouse. It holds marriage records from 1906, divorce records, probate files from 1906, and general court records from 1923. Marriage records list both parties, their ages, and the ceremony date. Probate files name heirs, show estate inventories, and detail how assets were distributed. Standard Oklahoma copy fees apply: $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, with a certification fee on top of that.
| County Clerk | 109 N. Central, Rm. 103, Wilburton, OK 74578 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (918) 465-4002 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Land Records | From 1890 |
| Marriage Records | From 1906 |
Latimer County Records Online
The Oklahoma State Courts Network lets you search Latimer County court records at no cost. Select "Latimer" from the county list, then search by name or date. The database covers cases from the mid-1990s forward and shows docket entries, party names, and case status. Anything older needs to be checked at the courthouse in Wilburton.
FamilySearch has Latimer County probate records, voter records from 1906 to 1956, and funeral home records from 1915 to 1933 available on microfilm and through their online catalog. These are strong genealogy resources that go beyond what the county offices typically offer to remote researchers. The On Demand Court Records portal may also have some Latimer County case details.
Land records for Latimer County are not currently on OKCountyRecords.com, so you will need to contact the County Clerk directly for deed and mortgage searches. The records go all the way back to 1890, which is unusually early for southeast Oklahoma.
Note: Latimer County land records start in 1890, predating both the county's formal organization in 1902 and Oklahoma statehood in 1907.
Latimer County Genealogy Resources
The Latimer County Historical and Genealogical Society is a key resource for family research in this area. They are located at 301 W. Ada, P.O. Box 1, Wilburton, OK 74578. You can reach them at 918-465-3751. The society holds local history collections, family files, and published indexes that are not available at the county offices. If you are researching Latimer County genealogy, a visit or a phone call to this group is well worth the effort.
The OKGenWeb Latimer County page provides free genealogy data compiled by volunteers. Below is a screenshot of the site.
The page includes cemetery records, census data, and marriage file extracts. These volunteer-built databases are unofficial, but they serve as a useful starting point for Latimer County family research. The site gets updates from volunteers over time, so you may find new data on return visits.
Funeral home records are another genealogy source here. Jones-Harkins Funeral Home and Waldrop Funeral Home, both in Wilburton, have served the county for decades. FamilySearch has funeral records from 1915 to 1933 on their catalog. These often include details like parents' names and birthplaces that are not in the county court files.
Latimer County Record Details
Marriage records at the Court Clerk go back to 1906. They show the names of both parties, ages, the ceremony date, and the officiant. Some records list parents' names and witnesses. Having parents' names on a marriage record is one of the fastest ways to move back a generation in your family tree.
Probate files from 1906 forward include the decedent's name, death date, heirs, estate inventory, and distribution details. These files often name relatives who do not show up in other records. Court records start in 1923 and cover civil and criminal cases. Land records at the County Clerk begin in 1890 and include deeds, mortgages, and property transfers. Under Title 51 Sections 24A.1 through 24A.33 of Oklahoma law, the Open Records Act gives the public the right to inspect most government documents. Voter records from 1906 to 1956 are available through FamilySearch, which can help confirm where your ancestors lived and when they were there.
Vital Records for Latimer County
Birth and death records are held by the Oklahoma State Department of Health at 1000 Northeast 10th Street in Oklahoma City. The County Clerk also has some birth and death records from 1908. Search the free OK2Explore index to find a state-level record before ordering a certified copy. Under Title 63 Section 1-323, birth records are open after 125 years and death records after 50 years.
Marriage and divorce records are public in Oklahoma. No waiting period applies. The Court Clerk in Wilburton handles all requests for marriage and divorce files. The Oklahoma Genealogical Society has publications on territorial-era vital statistics and Indian Territory records that can help with Latimer County genealogy work before statehood.
Latimer County Historical Research
The Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center in Oklahoma City holds census records, Choctaw Nation files, and newspaper archives. The Dawes Commission records are essential if your Latimer County ancestors were Choctaw citizens. These enrollment files list names, ages, blood quantum, and family connections. The Gateway to Oklahoma History portal offers free access to digitized newspapers where you can find Latimer County obituaries and family notices.
The Bureau of Land Management website has federal land patents for original claims in Latimer County. The National Archives at Fort Worth holds Bureau of Indian Affairs records, Dawes census cards, and Indian Territory school records that are relevant to Latimer County families. Since the county was carved from Choctaw lands, tribal records and federal Indian affairs files are especially important for genealogy research here.
Note: Latimer County was organized from Choctaw lands in 1902, so pre-1902 records may be filed under earlier territorial jurisdictions.
Cities in Latimer County
Latimer County includes Wilburton, Red Oak, and a few smaller communities. Wilburton is the county seat and the location of all county clerk offices. No cities in Latimer County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all genealogy records are accessible through the Latimer County offices in Wilburton.
Nearby Counties
Families in southeast Oklahoma moved around frequently. Check these neighboring counties if your Latimer County search comes up short.