Cowley County Court Records

Cowley County court records are documents related to legal proceedings within county limits. In Kansas, these records serve dual purposes: they provide an official account of legal cases and provide the public with transparency into the judicial process. Consequently, they help resolve legal disputes, appeal court decisions, and ensure accountability within the justice system.

A typical court record will feature the parties' names, the case/docket number, court dates, court orders and judgments, transcripts, and record filings, including complaints, motions, and settlement records.

Are Court Records Public in Cowley County?

Yes, court records in Cowley County are generally public under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. However, certain records are exempt from public disclosure, such as:

• Sealed or expunged records
• Personal identifying information
• Grand jury proceedings
• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Records of ongoing investigations

These restrictions are designed to balance public transparency with privacy rights and judicial integrity.

Cowley County Court Records Search

A Cowley County court records search can be conducted in one of three ways:

• In-person or mail queries to the Cowley County district court clerk's office
• Online searches through the Kansas Judicial Branch website
• Third-party aggregate sites

Cowley County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Cowley County, Kansas, are as follows:

Cowley County District Court
311 East 9th Avenue,
P.O. Box 472,
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-5470
Fax: (620) 221-1097

Cowley County District Court
City Hall Building,
P.O. Box 1152,
Arkansas City, KS 67005
Phone: (620) 441-4520
Fax: (620) 442-7213

Arkansas City Municipal Court
118 West Central,
Arkansas City, KS 67005
Phone: (620) 441-4408
Fax: (620) 441-4426

Burden Municipal Court
401 North Main,
P.O. Box 37,
Burden, KS 67019
Phone: (620) 438-2359
Fax: (620) 438-2422

Udall Municipal Court
Udall City Building
110 South Main,
P.O. Box 410,
Udall, KS 67146
Phone: (620) 782-3512
Fax: (620) 782-3474

Winfield Municipal Court
200 East 9th,
P.O. Box 646,
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-5500
Fax: (620) 221-5593

Cowley County Criminal and Civil Records

In Cowley County, criminal and civil case records are maintained at the District Court level. Cowley County is part of the 19th Judicial District, and its District Court operates from two primary locations: the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield and a branch courthouse in Arkansas City. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.), either location may be queried for information relating to the cases they hear. Interested members of the public may make requests by following these steps:

1. Submit the Request: Record requests may be made writing using a records request form, which can be obtained from the Clerk of the District Court.
2. Pay the Required Fee: The Cowley County District Court generally charges $0.25 per page for copies. A search fee of $12 per hour may also be charged if extensive productive time is required to locate the records.
3. Provide Case Information: Providing a case number greatly expedites the retrieval process. Cowley County's District Court case numbers may incorporate unique identifiers based on the courthouse location, so it may be helpful to clarify where the case was heard

Cowley county court record requests may be submitted at:

Winfield Location
Cowley County Courthouse
311 E. 9th Ave.,
Winfield, KS 67156
(620) 221-5485

Arkansas City Location
101 S. Summit St.
Arkansas City, KS 67005,
Phone: (620) 441-4520

Cowley County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses are issued at the District Court level in accordance with Kansas marriage statutes (K.S.A. 23-2504, et seq.). However, copies of the marriage certificate are maintained by the Cowley County Register of Deeds. Inquirers may either request the records online or send a written request to the office at:

311 E 9th Winfield,
P.O. Box 741, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-5461

Interested persons may also contact the Cowley County District Court Clerk to obtain recent marriage license information.

For older or state-filed marriage records, requestors may query the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics at:

Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400

Cowley County Divorce Records

Per Kansas divorce statutes (K.S.A. 23-2701 et seq.), divorce records are generated after legal proceedings at the District Court level. Individuals can obtain divorce records by contacting the Cowley County District Court Clerk. For divorces finalized after July 1951, the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics maintains official documentation.

Cowley County Birth Records

Vital records, including birth records, are administered under K.S.A. 65-2422d. While the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics is the primary repository for birth records, local offices, such as the Cowley County Clerk's Office, can provide guidance on accessing these documents. Eligible requesters generally include:

• The individual named on the record (if of legal age)
• Immediate family members
• Legal representatives or individuals presenting a valid court order

For statewide records, contact the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. Locally, inquiries can be directed to:

Cowley County Clerk's Office
311 E. 9th Ave.
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-5461

Cowley County Death Records

Kansas death records (including those generated by Cowley County) from July 1, 1911, onward are maintained by the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, as directed by state law. Certified copies can be requested for a fee of $20 per certified copy, with an additional $5 processing fee if applicable. Earlier records (before 1911) may be available through historical archives maintained by state or local agencies.

While death records are considered public records, Kansas laws (K.S.A. 45-221) restrict access to protect families' privacy and the integrity of ongoing legal or investigative matters.

Cowley County Probate Court Records

Probate cases in Cowley County are heard in the District Court per Kansas probate statutes (K.S.A. 59-301 et seq.). These cases involve the management and distribution of an individual's estate following death or incapacity and may include:

• Wills and estate filings
• Marriage license records
• Guardianship and conservatorship documents
• Trust administration records
• Records of adoption proceedings

Inquirers may obtain probate court records by submitting a written request to the Cowley County District Court Clerk. Requests should include:

• Case numbers.
• The names of all involved parties.
• A description of the documents sought.

Cowley County Property Records

Property records in Cowley County are maintained by the County Appraiser's Office and the Register of Deeds. These records provide information on property ownership, valuation, assessments, sales history, and legal descriptions.

Common types of property records include:

• Property tax assessment documents
• Real estate sales data
• Deeds, liens, and mortgages
• Surveys, plats, and property boundary details

Property record requests can be made by preparing a request containing details of the record of interest. Depending on the document being sought, inquirers may address their requests to:

Cowley County Appraiser's Office
311 E. 9th Ave
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-5440

Cowley County Register of Deeds
311 E. 9th Ave.
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-5460

Cowley County Court Records Online

Public records, including Cowley County court records, may be accessible through third-party websites like Kansascourtrecords.us. While these resources can offer quick, consolidated search options covering multiple jurisdictions, they are not government entities. They may not be as current or accurate as official county or state sources. Additionally, fees may be required for detailed records or certified copies. Whenever possible, verifying information against official Cowley County or State of Kansas databases and offices is recommended to ensure authenticity and accuracy.