Crawford County Court Records

Crawford County court records are documentation pertaining to court proceedings within the county. Kansas court records are important both in legal matters and to citizens of the county. In legal issues, they serve as historical records to provide case evidence and help facilitate appealing a court decision. For citizens, court records ensure accountability in their judicial system by informing them of how accountability is taken legally concerning certain actions and decisions.

The contents of court records typically include the following:

• Names of parties involved in the case
• Case numbers
• Court dates
• Court orders and judgments
• Transcripts
• Legal filings (complaints, motions, etc)
• Warrant information
• Records of settlements.

Are Court Records Public in Crawford County?

Yes, court records are public in Crawford County according to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). As such, these records are available with the record custodians for inspection and copying as long as they have not been legally restricted. Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-221) specifies the cases that are exempt from public disclosure. Examples of records that are restricted from unauthorized public access include:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Records of ongoing investigations
• Sealed or expunged records
• Personal information that could facilitate identity theft
• Grand jury proceedings.

Crawford County Court Records Search

The options for conducting a Crawford County records search include:

• Online searches
• In-person visits to the record custodian's office
• Phone or Email record requests
• Third-party websites.

Crawford County Courts

Crawford County belongs to the 11th Judicial District of Kansas. Kansas district courts serve as trial courts and have jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. Crawford county courts and their contact information are as follows:

Crawford County District Court, Pittsburg
602 North Locust Street
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Phone: (620) 232-0310
Fax: (620) 232-0311
Email: districtcourt@co.crawford.ks.us

Crawford County District Court, Girard
111 East Forest Street, 3rd Floor
Girard, KS 66743
Phone: (620) 724-8274
Fax: (620) 724-8275
Email: districtcourt@co.crawford.ks.us

Crawford County Criminal and Civil Records

Individuals can obtain civil and criminal cases from any of the county's district courts. Record search requests must be in writing using the records request form. A copy costs $0.25 per page, and the hourly search fee is $12. Conducting the search using case numbers speeds up processing, and case numbers from the Pittsburg division end in "P". Case numbers from the Girard division end in "G".

Crawford County Marriage Records

Individuals can obtain Crawford County Marriage Records from the Crawford County district court. The Crawford County Clerk accepts and files marriage license records when issued. These records are then sent to the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics for safekeeping. Historic marriage records, such as those from 1854-1861, are available with the Kansas Historical Society. Information about the marriage, such as the bride and groom's names, the date, and the location of the marriage, helps facilitate a search.

Crawford County Divorce Records

Divorce occurs after legal proceedings, and divorce case records can be obtained by contacting any of the district courts in Crawford County. Individuals can contact the Crawford County District Court or the County Clerk's Office to find information on divorce court records. The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics also manages records of all divorces in the state after July 1951. Older records are kept in the private laws section of the Territorial Legislature's Session Laws.

Crawford County Birth Records

To obtain a Crawford County Birth Record, inquirers may contact the Crawford County Clerk's Office, tasked with handling the county's vital records, including birth records. Any of the Crawford County District Courts can also be visited to find information on birth records as they maintain state-wide court cases; the individuals eligible to request a birth record include the following:

• The record owner who is of legal age
• Immediate family members of the record owner
• Legal representatives, or anyone with a court order.

Birth records are useful for school enrollment, inheritance cases, and obtaining life insurance benefits. They are also essential resources for genealogical research and may be used for the benefit of health and social services.

Crawford County Death Records

The Office of Vital Statistics keeps records of all deaths in Kansas from July 1, 1911, to the present. Certified copies of death records can be obtained in person, online, by telephone, by mobile app, or by mail for $20, with an additional $5 for processing. Crawford County also keeps a sectioned database of older death records (1886 - 1911).

Office of Vital Statistics
1000 Southwest Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
Email: kdhe.VitalRecords@ks.gov.

Although death records are considered public records, Kansas Laws restrict access to them to protect the privacy of the deceased's family and ensure that ongoing investigation is not compromised. Death records are important documentation used legally (for probate matters), for genealogical research, and for resolving estate cases. They are also useful resources for tracking public health trends.

Crawford County Probate Court Records

The Crawford District Court has jurisdiction over various cases, including probate cases. Probate cases involve the administration of legal matters and estates of deceased or incapacitated people. Some examples of probate court records include:

• Wills and Estate records
• Guardianships and Conservatorships
• Management of trusts
• Adoption records
• Marriage license and application records

To obtain probate records, eligible individuals can contact the Crawford County Clerk of the probate court or visit the Crawford County Courthouse to make a request. Requests are made in writing and contain information about the sought record, including the case number, full names of parties involved, and the type of probate record needed.

Crawford County Property Records

Crawford County Property records are official county documents containing information on real estate properties in the county. They are maintained by the Crawford County Appraiser's Office and the Register of Deeds. The appraiser's office maintains records relating to property valuation and assessments, while the register of deeds maintains records of property transactions and ownership.

Property records in Crawford County typically encompass the following information:

• Property tax records
• Real estate sales records
• Property descriptions
• Deeds
• Mortgagees
• Liens
• Surveys and Plats
• Property Sales History.

Depending on the specific property record being requested, interested individuals can contact the office of the relevant record custodian to obtain a property record. They can also conduct a property record search using the Property Search tool on the Crawford County website. The search can be completed using the property address, owner's name, or parcel ID. For additional information, contact:

Crawford County Appraiser's Office
111 East Forest Avenue, Suite D
Girard, KS 66743
Phone: (620) 724-6431

Crawford County Register of Deeds
225 North Enterprise Drive
Girard, KS 66743
Phone: (620) 724-8274

Crawford County Court Records Online

Third-party websites such as Kansascourtrecords.us are non-government-owned resources that offer a free search of their database for public records, including court records, arrest records, and criminal histories. They are advantageous as they provide quick access to various counties and state and federal court records in a single location. However, they may not be as up-to-date as records from official government sources. Payments may also be required to obtain access to detailed court records. Although convenient, it is essential to check their accuracy against official sources.