LAND RECORDS

Oklahoma Statutes require that all instruments (documents) submitted for recording shall:

• Be an original or certified copy of an original instrument;
• Be clearly legible;
• Be in the English language;
• Be properly acknowledged (notarized);
• Be no larger than 8 1/2″ x 14″ (unless otherwise provided by law);
• Have a minimum margin of two (2) inches at the top of page and one (1) inch on sides and bottom of all page;
• List the mailing address of the grantee, mortgagee, assignee or other designated party to which the instrument is to be delivered after recording;
• Describe the property by its specific legal description;
• Provide information necessary for indexing (addition, block & lot (if platted) or section, township & range, with metes & bounds if necessary for location);
• Be reproducible by equipment used by the County Clerk;
• Provide sufficient space to affix documentary stamps, mortgage tax certification, and recording information;(If sufficient space is not provided to affix the stamps and recording information, an additional page shall be attached for this purpose and will be charged the appropriate recording fee).

If the document fails to meet all the requirements above, but is:

• An original or certified copy of an original;
• Is legible without the aid of magnification or other enhancement of the text;
• Is reproducible by the equipment in use by the County Clerk;
• Meets all other statutory requirements for recordation;

The County Clerk may record the document and shall assess additional fees for nonconforming documents as follows: $25.00 for the first page, $10.00 for each additional page, plus a $10.00 preservation fee.

19 O.S. 298

Filing Notice

All documents submitted for recording must include the complete and accurate legal description, as required by Oklahoma state statutes. Please note that the County Assessor’s website typically provides only an abbreviated legal description, which is not sufficient. A full legal description is required. Documents that do not meet this requirement will be returned without processing.

How can I find the full legal description?

To locate your property’s full legal description, you have several options:

• Check your property deed:
  The full legal description is typically included in the original deed or other documents recorded with the County Clerk.
• If you only have a property address:
  You can find an abbreviated legal description by searching your property on the County Assessor’s website. Then, use that information to search our County Clerk records for a document that contains the full legal description.
• If you know the name listed on the property deed:
  You can search our County Clerk records directly using the name to locate the document with the full legal description.

Notice: Electronic Documents

The McClain County Clerk’s Office does not currently accept electronically filed documents.

If you wish to file an electronic document in a tangible (paper) format, it must first be printed. A notary public must certify the printed copy as a true and correct representation of the original electronic document.

Please note: Additional legal requirements may apply for the document to be considered valid and legally binding under Oklahoma law. It is the filer’s responsibility to ensure all statutory conditions are met before submission.

16 OK Stat § 87 (2024)

Copies & Indexes – Payment Policy

Due to the high volume of returned or insufficient checks, personal checks are no longer accepted for copies or index requests.

Accepted forms of payment now include:

• Money orders
• Cashier’s checks
• Credit cards (in person only)
• Cash

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Returned Check Policy

In accordance with 19 O.S. § 682, the McClain County Clerk’s Office is authorized to assess a $35.00 fee for all returned checks.

If a check is returned, all future payments must be made using one of the following methods:

• Money order
• Cashier’s check
• Credit card (in person only)
• Cash

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Attention:

McClain County Clerk’s office stops filing documents at 3:30 p.m.

* EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2024*  Per Senate Bill No 57 all documents filed in the County Clerk’s office shall have a 2-inch margin at the top of each page and a 1-inch margin on all other sides.

 
*EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2023*   All deeds filed in the County Clerk’s office shall have an Affidavit of Ownership attached, complying with 60 O.S. ss 121, as an exhibit to the deed. This Affidavit will be filed as part of the document. The Affidavits may be found below or under the Public Forms section of the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ok.gov