Comanche County

Comanche County is located in southwestern Oklahoma, covering approximately 1,084 square miles. Comanche County Seat is Lawton, Oklahoma's fifth-largest city and home to Fort Sill, one of the U.S. Army's most important installations. As of recent estimates, Comanche County has a population of approximately 121,000 residents, making it one of the more populous counties in Oklahoma. Comanche County was created in 1901 during the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache lands and named after the Lawton area people who historically inhabited Comanche County.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Comanche County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Comanche County. The office oversees the operation of Comanche County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. Notable programs include crime prevention workshops and a community outreach division meant to building positive relationships between law enforcement and residents.

Police Departments

In addition to Comanche County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Comanche County. The Lawton Police Department is the largest, serving the city of Lawton with a range of law enforcement services. Other city departments include the Cache Police Department and the Elgin Police Department, each responsible for maintaining public safety within their respective jurisdictions. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, often collaborating with the sheriff's office for investigations and resource sharing.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Comanche County Sheriff's Office, led by the elected County Sheriff, provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas of Comanche County and operates Comanche County Detention Center. The detention center houses inmates awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences. Inmate lookups can be conducted through the Sheriff's Office during business hours or by calling the jail directly.

• § 24A.1 et seq.), arrest records are generally public and can be requested from the arresting agency.
• Written requests should specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the detention center, though fees may apply for copies.
• Processing time varies but most agencies respond within 3-10 business days.
• Some agencies may provide records immediately for in-person requests.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Comanche County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. Residents can request background checks through the OSBI, which offers a full report on an individual's criminal history. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation also maintains a public database for sex offender registration, making sure of community awareness and safety.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Comanche County are maintained by Comanche County Sheriff's Office and the local police departments. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal written requests, as outlined by the Oklahoma Open Records Act. A Comanche County arrest record typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking information. The process for obtaining these records involves submitting a request to the appropriate law enforcement agency and may require a nominal fee for processing.

Jail & Inmate Records

Comanche County Detention Center, located in Lawton, is the primary facility for housing individuals arrested in Comanche County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of detainees. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines.

• The bond process in Oklahoma involves posting bail through a bondsman or paying the full amount directly to the court, allowing for the release of the detainee pending trial.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Comanche County are taken and retained by Comanche County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office website or by submitting a formal request. Oklahoma does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that once a mugshot is part of the public record, it remains accessible unless expunged by court order. Third-party websites may also host these images, but the official source remains the sheriff's office.

Comanche County is served by the District Court of Comanche County, which is part of Oklahoma's Fourth Judicial District. The courthouse is located at 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501, and the main court clerk number is. Comanche County Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases, criminal felonies, divorces, probate matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts. Oklahoma provides an online case search through the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) at www.oscn.net, where users can search Comanche County cases by party name, case number, or attorney.

• This free service provides access to dockets, judgments, and selected court documents.
• Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Court Clerk's office for a fee, typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee.
• In-person requests are processed most quickly, often same-day or within 24 hours.
• Small claims matters up to $10,000 are handled by the District Court's small claims division.
• Fees vary by service, with filing fees for civil cases ranging from $58 to several hundred dollars depending on case type.

Property and land records for Comanche County are maintained by Comanche County Clerk's office at 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501 Comanche County Clerk is the Register of Deeds and maintains recorded documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, right-of-way agreements, oil and gas leases, and plat maps. These records date back to Comanche County's formation in 1901 and are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description.

• Recording fees are established by Oklahoma statute, with standard deeds costing approximately $15 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, though fees vary by document type.
• The Assessor's office provides public access to property cards that detail square footage, building characteristics, and assessed values.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the County Clerk's office with appropriate identification and payment of fees.

Vital records for Comanche County residents are available through multiple sources. Comanche County Court Clerk's office at 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501, phone, issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for ceremonies performed in Comanche County. Marriage license applications require both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers, with a current fee of approximately $50. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 10 days.

• Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and death certificates are $15 each.
• Requests require completion of an application form, valid photo ID, proof of relationship, and appropriate fees.
• Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
• Walk-in service is available at the State Health Department in Oklahoma City for same-day processing.
• Fees for certified copies of divorce decrees vary but typically run $5-10 plus per-page copy fees.

Business and licensing records in Comanche County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of record. Comanche County Court Clerk's office at 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501, phone, handles trade name registrations (DBA - Doing Business As) and fictitious name filings for businesses operating in Comanche County. These filings are public records searchable at the Clerk's office.

• For formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and registered agents, the Oklahoma Secretary of State maintains the primary database.
• The Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, located at 302 SW Sheridan Road, Lawton, OK 73501, website www.lawtonfortsillchamber.com, provides business development resources and maintains directories of member businesses.

Elections in Comanche County are administered by Comanche County Election Board, located at 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501. The Election Board can be reached at and maintains voter registration records, conducts elections, and certifies results for federal, state, county, and local races. Voter registration in Oklahoma requires completion of a voter registration application at least 25 days before an election.

• Oklahoma offers online voter registration through the Oklahoma State Election Board website at www.okvoter.gov, where eligible citizens can register, update their address, or check their registration status.
• Residents can also register in person at the County Election Board office, tag agencies, or by mail using a paper application.
• Comanche County Election Board website provides a polling place locator where voters can enter their address to find their assigned precinct location.
• Absentee voting is available to all registered voters in Oklahoma.
• § 1 et seq.) provides transparency in election administration, with observers allowed to monitor voting and counting processes, and election records subject to public inspection under the Open Records Act.

Comanche County's economy is dominated by Fort Sill, which is the largest employer with over 10,000 military personnel and approximately 5,000 civilian employees.Fort Sill is the home of the U.S. Army Field Artillery School and Center for Initial Military Training.

• The median household income in Comanche County is approximately $52,000, somewhat below the Oklahoma state median but reflecting the younger demographic associated with military personnel.
• The Great Plains Technology Center provides workforce training.

Court Records: Yes: Online (OSCN) | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: State Office/Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 7/10, Comanche County provides good digital access to court and property records through state systems, though some jail and vital records require traditional requests.

Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Comanche County, Oklahoma.