Find Kansas Public Records

Is Kansas a Public Records State?

The mission of this site is to ensure that all Kansas residents have the right to access, review, and scrutinize public records. This aligns with the Kansas Open Records Act, which presumes that all government documents are open to the public. The primary objective is to provide the general populace with straightforward and effective access to these records, as is their legal right. Typically, personal information is not required to obtain these records unless a court order or specific law mandates that the record be confidential.

Available records include criminal records, court records, and vital records, encompassing over 25 million transparent public records.

What is Public Information in Kansas?

Most records in Kansas are public unless specifically exempted by law. The Kansas Open Records Act guarantees citizens the right to access public records. Interested individuals can submit a request to inspect or obtain copies of records held by various government agencies. This usually involves locating the agency that created or received the record and contacting the custodian responsible for its maintenance. Requesters also have the right to take photographs and videos of the record while it is with the custodian.

Record custodians may establish conditions for obtaining public records, such as charging fees and requiring written requests. However, these conditions should not be unreasonable, and any fees should not exceed the actual cost of making the record available. Public records generally accessible in Kansas include:

Public court records
Public incident reports
Public bankruptcy records
Public sex offender information
Public arrest records
Public inmate records

Requests for public records must be submitted to the custodian. The custodian may require a written request and applicable fees before fulfilling the request. Requests that do not comply with these requirements or pertain to exempted records may be denied.

Some records are also accessible for free via online databases maintained by government agencies. For example, the Kansas state registered offenders registry allows free searches for sex, violent crimes, and drug offenders.

Note: The Kansas Open Records Act applies only to government officials, including state subdivisions, officers, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities. Record custodians are not obligated to provide audio or visual items unless they have been shown at a public meeting of the government entity maintaining the record.

How Do I Look Up Public Records in Kansas?

Anyone can look up public records in Kansas by submitting a request to the record custodian. The Kansas Open Records Act mandates that custodians make records available upon receiving a request. If a request is denied, the custodian must clearly state the reason and the law relied upon for the denial. The following steps can guide you in obtaining Kansas public records:

Determine the Record to be Inspected or Obtained
Decide on the specific record you need and whether you want to inspect it, make copies, or have copies delivered. Some records may be available electronically. Requests should not place an undue burden on a public agency, as custodians can deny overly burdensome requests.
Identify the Record Custodian
The request must be directed to the custodian responsible for maintaining the record. The custodian is any public officer or employee tasked with record maintenance. If unsure of the custodian, send the request to the public agency in charge of the record. Agencies are required to provide the name of the custodian, office hours, fee schedules, and procedures for obtaining records upon request.
Send a Request
Once the custodian is identified, send the request. Custodians can insist on written requests per Kansas Statutes Annotated 45-219(a). The request should include the requester’s name, address, and a description of the record. Additional information should not be required. Public agencies typically provide guidelines for making requests according to Kansas Statutes Annotated 45-220(a).

Utilizing Third-Party Resources for Kansas Public Records Obtaining

Some public records may also be accessed through third-party websites. These platforms offer intuitive tools for expansive searches. Users can search for specific records or multiple records, such as vital records, arrest records, and criminal records. However, users must provide sufficient information to aid the search, such as:

The name of the subject (must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
The address of the requester
A case number or file number (if known)
The location of the document or person involved
The last known or current address of the registrant

Third-party sites are not government-sponsored, so record availability and results may vary. Additionally, certain records can only be ordered online through these websites, as the Kansas Department of Health does not offer online ordering for vital records.

How To Look Up Public Records in Kansas for Free?

Some public records in Kansas can be accessed for free, depending on the record, custodian, and request. Custodians often allow free inspection of records. For instance, the Shawnee County Recorder’s office provides public access computers for looking up county mortgage and deed records. Some county clerk offices also offer free access to searchable online databases for real estate and public land records, such as Johnson and Sedgwick counties.

Individuals may visit the custodian during business hours to inspect records. Courts usually allow physical inspection of court records. Other free records include bankruptcy records, arrest records, sex offender information, and incident reports. Requesters may choose electronic copies to avoid fees for making copies. Additionally, some records are available online for free through government-maintained databases, such as the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Public Offenders Registry.

Search Public Records in Kansas

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