Court records in Comanche County, Oklahoma can be searched through several channels. ComancheCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search dockets through the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN.net), visit the Comanche County Court Clerk's Office in person, or use public terminals at the courthouse. The Court Clerk maintains all District Court case records, while the County Clerk handles land records and other non-court filings.
Comanche Court System & Jurisdictions
Comanche County's court system operates at the state district level and the municipal level. Understanding which court handles your case type determines where to search for docket information.
District Court of Comanche County
The Comanche County District Court is part of Oklahoma's Fifth Judicial District. It has general jurisdiction over all case types filed in the county, including:
- Criminal cases — felonies and misdemeanors prosecuted under Oklahoma state law
- Civil cases — lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and forcible entry and detainer (eviction) actions
- Family law — divorce, custody, guardianship, adoption, and protective orders
- Probate — wills, estates, and conservatorships
- Small claims — civil disputes involving $10,000 or less, heard within the District Court's small claims division
- Traffic and ordinance violations — state traffic offenses and certain county-level violations
- Juvenile matters — delinquency and deprived-child cases (many juvenile records are restricted from public access)
The Court Clerk is charged with maintaining the integrity of all District Court cases pursuant to Oklahoma statutes. The office is divided into sections that handle criminal filings, civil filings, and family/probate matters separately.
Lawton Municipal Court
The city of Lawton — the county seat — operates a Municipal Court that handles city ordinance violations, municipal traffic citations, and code enforcement cases. Municipal Court dockets are maintained separately from District Court records.
Federal Court
Federal cases with a connection to Comanche County are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Federal dockets can be searched through PACER.
Comanche Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Comanche County District Court cases are available through the Oklahoma State Courts Network at OSCN.net. This free system lets you search by case number, party name, or attorney to find scheduled hearing dates, judge assignments, and docket entries.
Steps to check the court calendar:
- Go to OSCN.net and select "Comanche" from the county list.
- Search by party name, case number, or judge.
- Open the case to view upcoming hearing dates, past docket entries, and filed documents.
For same-day or next-day hearing schedules, you can also contact the Court Clerk's Office directly at 580-355-4017. Daily docket sheets may be posted at the courthouse or available upon request at the clerk's window.
The Lawton Municipal Court maintains its own calendar. Contact the municipal court clerk for upcoming hearing dates on city ordinance and traffic cases.
How to Get a Copy of a Comanche Court Document
The Comanche County Court Clerk's Office provides copies of court documents for cases filed in the District Court. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the county's records request process.
In Person
Visit the Court Clerk's Office at the Comanche County Courthouse. Bring the case number or as much identifying information as possible (party names, approximate filing date, case type). Staff can look up the case and provide copies while you wait.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Court Clerk at the address above. Include:
- Full names of the parties involved
- Case number (search OSCN.net if you need to locate it)
- Description of the documents you need
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to Comanche County Court Clerk)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions of filed documents. They work for personal reference but are generally not accepted for legal proceedings.
- Certified copies include the Court Clerk's seal and signature, confirming the document is a true copy of the court record. These are typically required for legal filings, immigration matters, and official transactions.
Specific Record Types
- Criminal records — The Criminal Records section of the Court Clerk's Office handles these requests. You can call 580-355-4017, press 1, with questions.
- Divorce decrees — Request through the Court Clerk. The county's divorce decree page outlines the mail request process.
- Statewide criminal history — For a comprehensive Oklahoma criminal background check, use the OSBI's Criminal History Information Request Portal (CHIRP).
Restricted Records
Certain records are not available to the general public, including sealed cases, expunged records, most juvenile proceedings, and adoption files. If you are unsure whether a record is accessible, ask the Court Clerk before submitting payment.
Comanche Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Oklahoma are set by statute (28 O.S. § 152 and related sections). The following table reflects standard fees charged by Oklahoma district court clerks. Contact the Comanche County Court Clerk at 580-355-4017 to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (per document) | $1.00 for the first page, $0.50 each additional page, plus certification fee |
| Certification fee (clerk's seal) | $5.00 per certification |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.00 first page, $0.50 each additional page |
| Record search (per name) | $5.00 |
| OSBI criminal history search (via CHIRP) | $15.00 (name-based search) |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, or money order are generally accepted. Ask the clerk about debit/credit card availability.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "Comanche County Court Clerk."
- Online (OSBI): The CHIRP portal accepts online payment for statewide criminal history searches.
Fees are subject to change. For the most current fee schedule, contact the Court Clerk's Office directly or visit the Comanche County Court Clerk website.