Oklahoma began filing birth and death records in October of 1908. However, it was not mandatory that these records be filed until 1917. Because birth and death records were not required in years' past as they are today for identification, the filing processes prior to 1940 are inconsistent.
For birth records, it is the responsibility of the hospital or attendant at birth in each matter of birth to properly obtain the information needed and file the certificate in a timely manner.
For death records, it is the responsibility of the hospital or the funeral director in each matter of death to properly obtain the information needed and file the certificate in a timely manner. -- OSDH Vital Records Division
