Oklahoma Commerce

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our offices receive hundreds of calls each month on a wide variety of topics. We've provided the answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) -- and their variations -- below. Additional FAQs are available to the right under Related Content. If you don't see your question, don't ever hesitate to give us a call at 800-879-6552 or shoot us an email at info@okcommerce.gov and let us know how we can help you.

 
Do I need a license for my new business?
The requirement for a business license depends on the type of business you plan to run or the service you are providing. Not all business types need a license. We recommend you visit our Business Start-Up Frequently Asked Questions page and the Business Licensing System page where you can learn the specific licenses and permits that apply to your business.

I have other questions about registering a business or selecting a business name.
You register an Oklahoma business with the Secretary of State's office. You can find the appropriate forms online or you may contact the Business Filing Department directly at 405-521-3912. You may also need to register your business with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, 405-521-3279. Our Business Licensing System will link you to the appropriate forms and agencies where registration is required for your business.

I'm planning or considering a move to Oklahoma. Where can I find information on cost of living and what jobs are available?
Let us be the first to welcome you to this great state. The best source for everything Oklahoma is the official State of Oklahoma website. This site provides valuable information about Oklahoma communities, government officials, and state services. For relocation location information, including community information, utility information, and cost of living, contact the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, or the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce. Two of the state's major newspapers, the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman are great sources of information.

Employment listings for jobs available in the state can be found online at several websites starting with the Hot Jobs page on our website where you'll find numerous links to other job listings.

To discover all of the wonderful recreation that Oklahoma has to offer, visit www.travelok.com, where you will find information on hotels, attractions, outdoor activities, as well as coupons and special offers. And be sure to visit the Quality of Life section on the Commerce website where you'll find information about cost of living, education, cultural amenities, climate and ecosystems. Finally, round out your Oklahoma research with a quick visit to the I Believe in Oklahoma website to see why those who alredy live here believe this is such a great state.

Where do I find out about grants and other funding for businesses?
Our Financial Resources section has a wealth of information on business funding. However, we are aware of no grant money available for small and start-up businesses. If you are seeking grants for a non-profit business, visit the Grants.gov website where you can search for information on federal grants. You may also find information on non-profit grants at the Foundation Center.

Where can I get a copy of a birth or death certificate?
The Oklahoma State Department of Health website details the steps necessary to obtain a certified copy of an Oklahoma birth or death certificate from the Vital Records Service.

How do I get to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa?
The Oklahoma City headquarters is located at 900 N. Stiles Ave. For detailed directions from any address, follow this MapQuest link. From the major highways:

I-35 North: Go straight on I-35 to I-235 North. Take the Lincoln/Medical Center exit and position yourself in the left most lane. The first intersection is 4th and Lincoln. Go North through the intersection and merge into the left lane. Turn left at 8th and Lincoln. Turn right at the second side street (Stiles).

I-40 East or West: Take I-235 North Exit to Lincoln/Medical Center exit. Get in left most lane. The first intersection is 4th and Lincoln. Go North through the intersection and merge into the next left lane. Turn left at 8th and Lincoln. Turn right at the second side street (Stiles).

I-35 South: Take I-44 West. At the Broadway Extension Interchange, take Broadway Extension South to the 10th Street exit. Broadway Extension merges into I-235 at about 36th Street. Turn left at Northeast 10th and merge to the right most lane. Go east on 10th street until you reach Stiles and turn right. Go south on Stiles until 9th street then turn left.

I-44 East or West: At the Broadway Extension Interchange, take Broadway Extension South to the 10th Street exit. Broadway Extension merges into I-235 at about 36th Street. Turn left at Northeast 10th and merge to the right most lane. Go east on 10th street until you reach Stiles and turn right. Go south on Stiles until 9th street then turn left.

The Tulsa office is located at 700 N. Greenwood Avenue on the Oklahoma State University Tulsa campus in the Main Hall, suite 1400. From I-244, take the Detroit exit and drive north to the OSU campus entrance on your right. The Main Hall is the first building on your right. For detailed directions from any address, please follow this MapQuest link.


I'm looking for Oklahoma statistics, such as major employers, cost-of-living, unemployment rates, enterprise zones, and population. Where can I find that information?
Our Data and Research section contains a wide array of economic and business data, demographic and population data, and workforce data. For instance, the Oklahoma Major Employers report is found under the business and economic data section. Be sure to visit the downloads in that section for detailed reports. You'll find Cost of Living information in the Quality of Life section of our site. And don't hesitate to call our Research Team at 405-815-5353 or 800-879-6552 for additional help.

Who are my state representatives? What is the state flower of Oklahoma? Where can I find out about road conditions in Oklahoma?
Answers to those questions and a lot more are available at www.ok.gov, the official website of the State of Oklahoma.

I need information related to a Woman-Owned or Minority-Owned business.
You'll find everything you're looking for on this website in the Business Development sections of Women-Owned Businesses and Minority-Owned Businesses.

I want to know more about the Main Street Program.
Visit the Oklahoma Main Street section of this website or contact the Main Street Center at 405-815-5171.

Where can I get an I Believe in Oklahoma bumper sticker? And how can I learn more about this program?
Briefly, the I Believe in Oklahoma program is designed to encourage Oklahomans to take pride in Oklahoma as a great place to live and do business. To order a bumper sticker or lapel pin, visit the Premium Items page on the I Believe in Oklahoma website where you can order online.

We're going to be traveling through Oklahoma on an upcoming vacation. Where can we find information about places to see and stay?
Visit the TravelOK.com website, the official website for the Oklahoma Tourism department.

I'm looking for information about Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
Visit the Community Grants and Funding section of this website for information about infrastructure, human development, and energy-related grants and funding available to communities, including CDBG funds.

Where can I learn about grant writing?
The Foundation Center website offers an online Proposal Writing Short Course that is quite informative. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance website also offers a Developing and Writing Grant Proposals tutorial. While it is geared toward federal grants, the overall information is useful for any grant writing endeavor. Many of Oklahoma's higher education institutions also offer grant writing as part of their continuing education curricula. When the Department of Commerce is aware of such courses, they will be posted on the Communities events calendar.  

Where can I get weatherization assistance for my home?
Weatherization assistance for individuals is primarily administered locally by the Community Action Agency (CAA) in your area. Eligible applicants are low-income individuals, and priority is given to the elderly, handicapped and families with children. To find the CAA nearest you, use the interactive map on the Oklahoma Association of CAAs website or contact Stephanie Couch in the Commerce office at 405-815-5264 or 800-879-6552.

Where can I turn to for help in paying my utility bills?
The Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that provides help with utility bill-paying, energy crisis assistance, and weatherization and energy-related home repairs. The program is administered locally through the Community Action Agency in your area. Your LIHEAP administrator determines if your household's income qualifies for the program. To find the CAA nearest you, use the interactive map on the Oklahoma Association of CAAs website or contact Stephanie Couch in the Commerce office at 405-815-5264 or 800-879-6552.

Who do I complain to about a business?
The Consumer Protection Division of the Oklahoma Attorney General's office provides mediation services to consumers to help resolve complaints against businesses. The Division can also provide information about complaints that have been filed against businesses.  Another option is to contact the Oklahoma City Better Business Bureau at 405-239-6081 or the Tulsa Better Business Bureau at 918-492-1266. Finally, if your complaint concerns a public utility, you may complete a Public Utility Complaints online form on the Corporation Commission website.

I have a question or comment about this website. Who can I contact?
You may use the Website Feedback Form form or you may send an e-mail directly to info@okcommerce.gov. If you need immediate assistance regarding the website, please call 918-594-8416 or 800-879-6552.

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