Washita County Genealogy Search
Washita County genealogy records date back to 1892, when the county was formed from Cheyenne-Arapaho Lands in western Oklahoma. The county seat is Cordell. You can search marriage records, probate files, court dockets, and land deeds through the county clerk offices or online portals. Some records here go back to 1900, covering the territorial period before statehood. If your family settled in western Oklahoma during the land openings of the 1890s, Washita County records are an important place to dig. Church records, particularly Lutheran records, are also available in this area and can fill in gaps that civil records miss.
Washita County Overview
Washita County Clerk Office
The Washita County Clerk handles land records and other filed documents. The mailing address is PO Box 380, Cordell, OK 73632. Call (580) 832-3836 for the County Clerk. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Land records start in 1907. Deed recordings cost $18.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each page after that.
The Court Clerk is a separate office that keeps marriage, divorce, probate, and court records for Washita County. Lynda Vermillion serves as Court Clerk. Her phone is (580) 832-2284 and the mailing address is PO Box 397, Cordell, OK 73632. Marriage records go back to 1900, and probate records also start around that time. Divorce and court records date to 1900 as well. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies, with an extra $1.00 for certification. Under Title 51 Sections 24A.1 through 24A.33, Oklahoma's Open Records Act gives the public the right to inspect most government records held by the county.
Cloud Chief was the original county seat before Cordell. Some early Washita County records may reference Cloud Chief in their filings.
| County Clerk | PO Box 380, Cordell, OK 73632 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk Phone | (580) 832-3836 |
| Court Clerk | PO Box 397, Cordell, OK 73632 |
| Court Clerk Phone | (580) 832-2284 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Searching Washita County Records Online
The Oklahoma State Courts Network is the main free tool for searching Washita County court records. Select "Washita" from the county dropdown. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. OSCN covers records from the mid-1990s forward. It shows docket entries, party names, and case status at no charge.
For land records, try OKCountyRecords.com. The On Demand Court Records portal may have extra case details for some Washita County filings. Marriage records from 1900 to the present are on file with the Court Clerk. You will need both party names and a rough date to request a search.
The OKGenWeb Washita County page has volunteer-compiled genealogy data including census records and history pages. Below is a look at what the site offers.
OKGenWeb volunteers have collected census transcriptions, cemetery records, and other genealogy data for Washita County. These are not official county records but they can serve as a useful starting point for your research.
Note: OSCN records for Washita County go back to the mid-1990s, so older cases must be searched in person at the courthouse in Cordell.
Washita County Genealogy Resources
Washita County was carved from the Cheyenne-Arapaho Lands that were opened to settlement in 1892. Many early settlers came from the Midwest and brought strong church affiliations with them. Lutheran church records are a notable secondary source for Washita County genealogy, especially for families of German and Scandinavian descent. FamilySearch has microfilm of some Washita County church records and probate files that you can access online or through a local family history center.
The Washita County Museum at 115 E. First Street in Cordell holds local history materials. The Cordell Public Library at 208 S. College in Cordell and the Sentinel Public Library at 210 E. Main in Sentinel both have local history collections. The Western Plains Library System serves this area and may be able to help with interlibrary loan requests for genealogy materials held at other locations in the state.
The Dawes Commission records at the Oklahoma Historical Society cover tribal enrollments for the Five Civilized Tribes. While Washita County was Cheyenne-Arapaho land rather than one of the Five Tribes, some residents may still appear in these files due to intermarriage or later migration.
What Washita County Records Contain
Marriage records from the Court Clerk include names of the bride and groom, ages, birthplaces, and parents' names. These go back to 1900. The parents' names are often the most useful piece of data on a marriage record for genealogy work, since they let you trace back a full generation.
Probate files hold the decedent's name, death date, heirs, estate inventory, and executor names. These date to 1900 as well. Land records at the County Clerk start in 1907. Under Title 63 Section 1-323 of Oklahoma law, birth records become open after 125 years and death records after 50 years. Until those time limits pass, you must be a family member or have written permission to get a copy from the state.
Washita County Vital Records
Birth and death records for Washita County are held at the state level by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Statewide registration started in 1908. Search the free OK2Explore index to find a record before ordering a certified copy.
Marriage and divorce records are public in Oklahoma. There is no waiting period. The Oklahoma Genealogical Society offers publications on territorial-era vital records. These can be helpful when your Washita County ancestors lived here before statehood.
Washita County Historical Research
The Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center in Oklahoma City holds census records, land files, and the Dawes Rolls. The Gateway to Oklahoma History has historic newspapers, photos, and maps you can search at no charge. Look for old Washita County newspapers to find obituaries, marriage notices, and birth announcements. The Bureau of Land Management website has federal land patents for Washita County showing original homestead claims. The National Archives at Fort Worth has federal territorial records and land office files that cover the Cheyenne-Arapaho opening period.
Note: Cloud Chief served as the original Washita County seat before Cordell, and some early records may reference that town.
Cities in Washita County
Washita County includes the city of Cordell, which serves as the county seat, along with Sentinel, Burns Flat, Bessie, and other small communities. All genealogy records for these areas are filed at the Washita County Clerk offices in Cordell. No cities in Washita County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all records are accessible through the county offices listed above.
Nearby Counties
Families in western Oklahoma moved between counties for land and work. Check these neighboring counties if your Washita County search needs more leads.