About Washita County
Washita County is located in western Oklahoma, established in 1891 and named after the Washita River that flows through the region. The county seat is New Cordell, situated in the heart of the county at 115 West Main Street, where the historic Washita County Courthouse stands. Covering approximately 1,009 square miles, Washita County has a population of around 11,000 residents according to recent census estimates. The county is characterized by rolling prairie lands, agricultural heritage, and strong rural community values.
Major towns include Cordell (the original county seat until 1899), Sentinel, Burns Flat, and Rocky. The region's economy has historically been anchored in agriculture, particularly wheat farming and cattle ranching, though the nearby Burns Flat-Clinton Regional Airport has brought aerospace and industrial development. The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, located partially in adjacent Roger Mills County but tied to the region's history, commemorates the 1868 Battle of Washita.
Key county offices serving the public include the Washita County Clerk located in the courthouse in New Cordell, the Washita County Assessor's office responsible for property valuations, and the Washita County Recorder who maintains land records and deeds. The county operates under Oklahoma's constitutional framework with elected officials including commissioners, sheriff, treasurer, and court clerk. What makes Washita County unique is its blend of frontier history, agricultural productivity, and its role in Oklahoma's western development, combined with modern infrastructure like the regional airport that supports both civilian and military aviation activities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Washita County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is dedicated to ensuring public safety through patrols, investigations, and community programs. Notable divisions within the Sheriff's Office include the patrol division, criminal investigations, and a dedicated team for managing the county jail. The Sheriff's Office also engages in community outreach programs to foster better relations between law enforcement and residents.
Police Departments
In addition to the Washita County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the county. These include the Cordell Police Department, Burns Flat Police Department, and Sentinel Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, handling local crime, traffic enforcement, and community policing. The Sheriff's Office and municipal departments coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage throughout Washita County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Washita County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at the Washita County Courthouse complex in New Cordell, Oklahoma, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide support services. The Sheriff's Office operates the Washita County Detention Center, which houses inmates for the county. To look up current inmates in Washita County Jail, citizens can contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (580) 832-3030 or visit the courthouse during business hours for booking information.
- § 24A.1 et seq.), which provides broad public access to government documents with specific exemptions.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting written requests to the Washita County Sheriff's Office or the relevant municipal police department, identifying the subject and timeframe.
- Booking photographs and mugshots are generally considered public records in Oklahoma and may be obtained through the same open records request process, though some agencies may charge reasonable copying fees.
- Processing times vary, but agencies must respond to open records requests promptly, typically within a few business days.
Oklahoma law enforcement agencies increasingly participate in statewide databases, though Washita County's jail roster may require direct inquiry. Municipal police departments operate in incorporated towns including the Cordell Police Department, Burns Flat Police Department, and Sentinel Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their city limits. Arrest records in Washita County are public records subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Title 51 O.S.
No tribal police jurisdictions operate within Washita County proper, as the county lies outside reservation boundaries, though the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have historical connections to the broader region.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Washita County encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Washita County Sheriff's Office maintains local criminal records, while the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation provides broader background checks for residents. To conduct a background check, individuals can request records from the Sheriff's Office or utilize the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's online services.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Washita County are maintained by the Washita County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrested individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, adhering to the procedures outlined by the Oklahoma Open Records Act. An arrest record in Washita County typically includes the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Washita County Jail, located in Cordell, is the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is recorded. Inmate lookup services are available, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and security procedures in place.
- The bond and bail process follows Oklahoma state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees pending court appearances.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Washita County are taken and retained by the Washita County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through requests to the Sheriff's Office. While there is no dedicated online portal for mugshot searches, individuals can inquire directly with the office for access. Oklahoma does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may seek legal avenues for removal if the charges are dropped or expunged.
Courts & Case Records
The Washita County Court system operates under Oklahoma's judicial framework with the District Court serving as the court of general jurisdiction. The Washita County District Court, located at 111 East Main Street in New Cordell, Oklahoma 73632, handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, and juvenile matters for the county. The court can be reached at (580) 832-2884 for general inquiries and case information. Oklahoma's District Courts were reorganized under the 1967 Judicial Reform Amendment, consolidating multiple court types into a unified system.
- Fees for certified copies typically run $1.00 per page plus certification fees as established by Oklahoma statute.
- The Court Clerk's office processes marriage licenses, protective orders, name changes, and guardianship filings in addition to case records.
Case lookup and records access in Washita County may be conducted through the Oklahoma District Court Records system (ODCR), Oklahoma's statewide case management portal available at www.oscn.net, which provides free public access to many court filings, dockets, and judgments. Additional records may be obtained directly from the Washita County Court Clerk's office, which maintains official case files, minute records, and certified documents. Municipal courts operate in incorporated towns like Cordell and handle traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor offenses within city limits.
Oklahoma's public access to court records is governed by Title 12 O.S. § 32, which establishes that court records are presumptively open to the public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute. Sealed records, juvenile proceedings, and certain family law matters have restricted access under Oklahoma law, but the vast majority of civil and criminal proceedings maintain public dockets accessible both online and in person.
Property & Public Records
The Washita County Clerk's office, serving as the Recorder of Deeds, maintains comprehensive land and property records for the county. Located at 115 West Main Street in New Cordell, Oklahoma 73632, the Clerk's office can be reached at (580) 832-2388 during regular business hours. This office records and preserves deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, assignments, oil and gas leases, plat maps, and other instruments affecting real property title in Washita County.
- The Washita County Clerk provides document recording services with fees established by state statute, typically based on page count and document type.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the County Clerk's office for statutory fees, typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee.
- Researchers should contact the Washita County Clerk directly to inquire about current online access options and search procedures.
Oklahoma law requires recording of real property transfers and encumbrances to provide constructive notice and establish priority among competing claims. While some Oklahoma counties have implemented online document search and retrieval systems, Washita County's records may require in-person research or telephone inquiry to the Clerk's office, though basic information may be available through third-party property data services. For property tax information, the Washita County Assessor's office, also located in the courthouse complex, maintains records of property valuations, ownership, legal descriptions, and assessment history.
The Assessor can be contacted at (580) 832-3375. The Washita County Treasurer collects property taxes and maintains payment records. Oklahoma counties are increasingly developing GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewers that allow online visualization of property boundaries, ownership, and tax information, though implementation varies by county resources and technical capacity.
Vital Records
Vital records for Washita County, Oklahoma, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are maintained at both the county and state levels under Oklahoma's vital statistics system. The Washita County Clerk's office at 115 West Main Street, New Cordell, Oklahoma 73632, phone (580) 832-2388, serves as the local issuing authority for marriage licenses and maintains marriage records performed in the county.
- The license fee is established by state statute.
- Birth certificates cost $15.00 for a certified copy, and death certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy with reduced fees for additional copies ordered simultaneously.
- Processing times typically range from 2-4 weeks for mail requests, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
- Divorce records and decrees are maintained by the Washita County Court Clerk as part of district court records and may be obtained by requesting certified copies from the clerk's office.
Marriage licenses in Oklahoma require both parties to appear in person with valid identification, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Service, located at 123 Robert S. Kerr Avenue, Suite 1000, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102.
Online ordering of Oklahoma vital records is available through VitalChek, the state's authorized third-party vendor, accessible at www.ok.gov/health/Birth_and_Death_Certificates. Applicants must provide valid identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Oklahoma statute. Birth records are restricted for 105 years and death records for 50 years under Oklahoma's confidentiality provisions (Title 63 O.S.
§ 1-311). Genealogical researchers seeking older records should contact the Oklahoma State Archives or the County Clerk for historical vital records that have been released from confidentiality restrictions.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Washita County, Oklahoma, are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the business type and regulatory requirements. The Washita County Clerk's office at 115 West Main Street, New Cordell, Oklahoma 73632, phone (580) 832-2388, records trade names (Doing Business As or DBA filings) and fictitious name certificates for businesses operating in the county under names other than the owner's legal name. These filings provide public notice of business ownership and are searchable through the County Clerk's office.
- Oklahoma's open records laws make most business filings and licenses public information accessible upon request or through online databases.
For formal business entity formation and registration—including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities—the Oklahoma Secretary of State maintains the central registry. The Business Filing Department can be searched online at www.sos.ok.gov, where the public can access the business entity database free of charge to verify corporate standing, registered agents, filing history, and annual reports. Sales tax permits and business tax registrations are handled by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Professional licenses (medical, legal, real estate, contractors, cosmetology, etc.) are issued by the respective Oklahoma state licensing boards and can typically be verified through online databases maintained by each regulatory agency. Building permits, zoning compliance, and land use matters in unincorporated Washita County are handled by county planning officials or the Board of County Commissioners, while incorporated towns maintain their own building permit and code enforcement systems. The Cordell Area Chamber of Commerce serves as a business resource for the county and can be reached for information about local business climate and economic development opportunities.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Washita County, Oklahoma, are administered by the Washita County Election Board, which operates under the supervision of the Oklahoma State Election Board. The Washita County Election Board office is located in the Washita County Courthouse complex at 115 West Main Street, New Cordell, Oklahoma 73632, and can be reached at (580) 832-2141 for voter registration information, polling place locations, and election procedures. Voter registration in Oklahoma requires U.S. citizenship, Oklahoma residency, and being at least 18 years old by the next election.
- Oklahoma offers online voter registration through the state portal at www.oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp, where eligible citizens can register or update their registration using their driver license or state ID number.
- In the 2024 general election, Washita County voter turnout was approximately 55-60% of registered voters, consistent with typical Oklahoma county participation rates.
The registration deadline is 25 days before any election. Voters can find their specific polling place by contacting the County Election Board or using the Oklahoma Voter Portal online lookup tool. Public election records in Washita County include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted under Oklahoma law), precinct-level election results, candidate filing documents, and campaign finance reports for local candidates.
These records are accessible under the Oklahoma Open Records Act and the specific transparency provisions governing elections. Washita County, like most rural western Oklahoma counties, typically shows strong Republican turnout in federal and state elections. The next major election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate midterm elections, Oklahoma state constitutional offices, state legislature seats, and county offices. Absentee voting in Oklahoma is available to any registered voter who submits an application to the County Election Board; applications must be received by the Tuesday before the election for mail ballots or voters may request absentee in-person voting at the County Election Board office during the statutory period. Oklahoma has implemented early in-person voting on the Friday and Saturday immediately before Election Day.
Citizens seeking election records or wishing to observe election processes should contact the Washita County Election Board directly, as Oklahoma law provides for poll watching, canvassing observation, and public access to most election administration records and procedures.
Economy & Demographics
Washita County's economy is fundamentally rooted in agriculture, with wheat farming, cattle ranching, and related agribusiness forming the economic backbone of the region. The county's fertile prairie soils and adequate rainfall support significant grain production, particularly winter wheat, as well as hay and sorghum cultivation. Cattle operations, both cow-calf and stocker operations, leverage the county's grasslands and proximity to feedlots and processing facilities.
- According to recent economic data, the median household income in Washita County is approximately $45,000-$50,000, which is below the Oklahoma state median, reflecting the rural and agricultural nature of the economy.
Major employers include the Washita County government, school districts (Cordell Public Schools and others), healthcare providers including Cordell Memorial Hospital, and agricultural cooperatives and input suppliers. The Burns Flat-Clinton Regional Airport represents a significant economic asset, supporting aerospace testing and industrial activities with its long runway originally built for military use. Small business retail, restaurants, and services in Cordell and other towns provide employment and serve local residents.
Manufacturing and light industry have a limited but growing presence. Unemployment rates in Washita County typically track slightly above Oklahoma state averages, reflecting the challenges of rural economic development and seasonal agricultural employment patterns. Economic development efforts focus on leveraging the airport infrastructure, improving telecommunications and broadband access, supporting agricultural value-added processing, and attracting remote workers and retirees to the county's affordable housing market.
The county benefits from its location along U.S. Highway 183 and State Highway 152, providing north-south and east-west transportation corridors. While not within tribal jurisdiction, the broader regional economy benefits from Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal enterprises and employment in neighboring areas.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (OSCN) | Property: ⚠️ Limited Online/In-Person | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ State/County Offices | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Phone/State Portal | Overall Score: 6/10 — Washita County provides access to public records primarily through in-person requests and state-level databases, with court records offering the strongest online presence via Oklahoma's statewide system.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Washita County
Nearby Counties
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