The Southwest National Archives branch in Fort Worth, Texas holds most of the original Bureau of Indian Affairs records from Oklahoma. This National Archives branch houses and maintains the retired Federal records from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. They do not have state and county records such as birth, death, or marriage records; this is a common misconception.
The original records that have not been microfilmed must be viewed in person and by prior appointment of at least a day in advance. This time is to allow the staff to actually pull original records from the warehouse portion of the Archives and moved them to the viewing area of the Archives.
To view original records you must first obtain a researcher identification card. The card can be obtained by asking for one from the staff in the research room. The identification card is good for several years. Please do not ask for an identification card and then ask to view original records the same day. Appointments to view original records can be done by phone or in person. Each time you wish to view original records you must present your card.
When making an appointment to view original records please give the title of the documents to be viewed, the entry number in the BIA inventory, and especially the "accession number". The "accession number" is the letter and three numbers connected by dashes at the very bottom of an entry, such as "A-1-2-3". Each entry has a different accession number. The accession number records the actual physical location of the original records in the warehouse.
For example, to view the birth and death affidavits for the Creek Indians listed as Entry 120B in the BIA inventory ask for:
"Birth and death affidavits for the Creeks, BIA inventory entry 120B, accession number A-6-86-6"
Records that have already been microfilmed such as the Dawes records and various Indian census rolls can be viewed without a researcher identification card. Here is a list of Indian records on microfilm at the SW National Archives. They also have on microfilm all of the available Federal Census records (1790-1930) and also military records and indexes. Extensive lists of available microfilm, abstraction forms, and forms to order special records are free.
After signing in and selecting a microfilm reader you simply find the roll of microfilm you want and view the film on your reader. The staff can help you get started and can inform you of what is available and where it is located. After you select a reader you need to grab the numbered wooden block that corresponds with your microfilm reader number. When you pull a roll of film from a cabinet or drawer you put the numbered wooden block in it's place. This to assure that microfilm rolls are returned to their proper location. Please only view one microfilm roll at a time and please rewind rolls. If a roll is not rewound it will be backwards for the next person to use it. There are 35+ microfilm readers.
You can make copies from the microfilm at one of the two self-serve microfilm copy machines. The cost for self-serve microfilm copies is .30 cents per page and for original records is .15 cents per page. It is recommended that you bring alot of change and/or one dollar bills for the copiers as there is no change machine for larger bills. If you request copies of enrollment jackets or allotment jackets by mail the minimum cost is $10 each.
Large containers such as file boxes are discouraged.