Kansas public records
Kansas district-court records, county property documents and KBI criminal-history information have separate access routes. Use the Secretary of State for an entity filing and Vital Statistics for an eligible certificate. KORA's three-business-day rule concerns action on the request, not guaranteed delivery of every file.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsKansas Judicial Branch | Follow the public-access portal instructions or contact the district court. | Online information and clerk copy/certification charges differ. Portal availability varies with court and record type; restricted case information is excluded. |
| Property and land recordsKansas Department of Revenue county appraiser directory | Locate the county appraiser for assessments; use the register of deeds for recorded instruments. | County copy charges vary. An appraised value is not a deed or proof that no lien exists. |
| Business recordsKansas Secretary of State | Search the entity name or business ID and review filings. | Search and certification services have separate fees. Registration status does not establish a business's professional qualifications or creditworthiness. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceKansas Office of Vital Statistics | Select the birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate application. | Certificate searches and copies carry fees. Eligibility and identification rules apply; the full divorce case file remains with the district court. |
| Criminal-history checksKansas Bureau of Investigation | Use the public criminal-history service or the appropriate fingerprint procedure. | The service charges for record checks. Publicly releasable Kansas history has defined exclusions; it does not provide every arrest or nationwide coverage. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Kansas
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may request public records. Kansas restricts obtaining names and addresses for certain commercial solicitation purposes.
- How to submit
- Identify the Kansas agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The custodian must act on a request as soon as possible, no later than the end of the third business day. If access is delayed, it must explain why and when records will be available.
- Fees and estimates
- Reasonable charges may cover staff time and copying. Ask for an estimate and consider inspecting first to narrow the copies needed.
- If access is denied
- Contact the agency's freedom of information officer. The Attorney General or local prosecutor may assist; district court enforcement is also available.
Kansas records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Kansas public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the county's final procurement award and executed contract for [bid number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Kansas public records FAQ
Where can I find Kansas court records?
Follow the public-access portal instructions or contact the district court. Portal availability varies with court and record type; restricted case information is excluded.
Sources: Kansas Judicial BranchAre Kansas public records free?
Reasonable charges may cover staff time and copying. Ask for an estimate and consider inspecting first to narrow the copies needed. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Kansas official public-records guidance; Kansas Judicial Branch; Kansas Office of Vital StatisticsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Kansas?
Select the birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate application. Eligibility and identification rules apply; the full divorce case file remains with the district court.
Sources: Kansas Office of Vital Statistics; Kansas Judicial BranchIs a Kansas court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Publicly releasable Kansas history has defined exclusions; it does not provide every arrest or nationwide coverage. Use the public criminal-history service or the appropriate fingerprint procedure.
Sources: Kansas Bureau of Investigation; Kansas Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Kansas official public-records guidance — checked
- Kansas Judicial Branch — checked
- Kansas Department of Revenue county appraiser directory — checked
- Kansas Secretary of State — checked
- Kansas Office of Vital Statistics — checked
- Kansas Bureau of Investigation — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions