Mission of the Payne County Clerk

To serve the citizens of our County as the legal repository of all transactions affecting real and personal property and to disseminate the information in the manner as outlined by law. To serve as trustee for the expenditure of public funds in accordance with the law and to ensure the safe keeping of all public records.

Responsibilities

The County Clerk serves as the registrar of deeds and custodian of records for the County. The County Clerk also serves as the secretary to several boards, including the Board of County Commissioners, the County Excise Board, the County Board of Equalization, and the Board of Tax Roll Corrections.

The County Clerk reviews all the claims for payment of goods and services purchased or contracted by the County, and prepares the proper warrants for payment of those goods and services and the County payroll. The County Clerk, or one's designated deputy, serves as the purchasing agent for the county. This system is a means to ensure the public that tax dollars are being spent appropriately.

Various records within the different County offices are classified as "open records". As such, they can be reviewed and mechanically copied by the public.