Ellis County Court Records

In Ellis County, court records include all documents filed during civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, and family law cases adjudicated in county courts. Examples of filed documents are complaints, affidavits, motions, final judgments, warrants, and orders that may provide the following details:

• Party names
• Case number
• Judge or attorney details
• File or hearing dates
• Case status
• Case summary or specific action details.

Courts maintain these records to ensure judicial transparency. Persons may use these records to prove/enforce decisions or during appellate review. Related records, like Ellis County arrest records and criminal history information, may also be available at other criminal justice agencies in the county or state.

Are Court Records Public in Ellis County?

As per the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), Ellis County court records are publicly available unless specifically exempted from disclosure by statute, court rule, or court order. In line with the KORA, the following records may be unavailable to the public:

• Sealed records
• Expunged criminal records
• Records protected by attorney-client privilege
• Certain juvenile records
• Unexecuted warrants
• Personnel information
• Adoption records
• Preliminary drafts, notes, and attorney work products
• Grand jury proceedings
• Information on certain criminal investigations
• Medical, psychological, or drug/alcohol abuse treatment records.

Ellis County Court Records Search

Persons may search for Ellis County court records on public access terminals in courthouses, with the Kansas District Court case portal, or by directing requests to the court clerk. Generally, case details like party names, case number, type, status, and summary are viewable on the courthouse terminals or online portals.

However, court documents are mostly available at the court and require in-person queries or requests sent to the court clerk via acceptable channels. Requesters may also have to pay fees for record search, copying, certification, or delivery.

Ellis County Courts

The court system in Ellis County comprises a District Court and several Municipal Courts located at:

Ellis County District Court
107 West 12th Street,
P.O. Box 8,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-9415
Fax: (785) 628-8415

Ellis Municipal Court
815 Jefferson Street,
Ellis, KS 67637
Phone: (785) 726-4812
Fax: (785) 726-4159

Hays Municipal Court
105 West 12th Street,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 625-1070
Fax: (785) 625-1024

Victoria Municipal Court
1005 4th Street,
P.O. Box 87,
Victoria, KS 67671
Phone: (785) 735-2259
Fax: (785) 735-2260

Ellis County Criminal and Civil Records

In Ellis County, the 23rd Judicial District hears most criminal and civil cases. Meanwhile, the Municipal Courts handle lesser ordinance violations, infractions, and traffic offenses. Therefore, persons seeking criminal court records on felonies and major misdemeanors or civil case records on divorces, landlord-tenant disputes, or other lawsuits should direct searches or requests to the Clerk of the District Court.

Resources like the public access terminals at the courthouse or the Kansas District Court Public Access Portals may help record seekers access case information. For copies of court documents, send request forms containing specific case details and appropriate fees to:

Ellis County District Court Clerk
107 West 12th Street,
P.O. Box 8,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-9415
Fax: (785) 628-8415
Email: Ellis_County_Clerk@kscourts.org

Persons may also conduct background checks for criminal history records that may include Ellis County arrest records through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Ellis County Marriage Records

Certificates of marriages licensed by the Ellis County District Court are available from the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics. However, vital records maintained by this agency are private in line with the Uniform Vital Statistics Act. Therefore, only eligible applicants, like the record subject, the subject’s close relatives, and other legally authorized persons, may obtain certified copies.

To order Ellis County marriage certificates, provide signed application forms (Spanish), valid picture ID, $20 fees per copy, and other requirements via in-person, phone, online, or mailed requests to:

Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson,
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221.

Ellis County Divorce Records

Ellis County divorce records are available from the District Court Clerk and the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics. For divorce decrees and other case filings, send request forms containing case descriptions to:

Ellis County District Court Clerk
107 West 12th Street,
P.O. Box 8,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-9415
Fax: (785) 628-8415
Email: Ellis_County_Clerk@kscourts.org

For Ellis County divorce certificates, eligible persons may make in-person, phone, online, or mailed requests by providing signed application forms (Spanish), valid picture ID, $20 fees per copy, and other requirements to:

Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson,
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221.

Ellis Birth Records

Ellis County birth certificates since July 1911 are available at the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics. However, these records are private and strictly accessible to eligible applicants like the record subject, spouse, close relatives, and others with valid claims. To order birth certificates, visit the office or call, or mail requests by providing signed application forms (Spanish), $20 fees per copy, valid picture ID, and other requirements to:

Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson,
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221.

Ellis Death Records

The KDHE Office of Vital Statistics issues Ellis County death certificates only to eligible applicants like the decedent’s immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with valid claims. Eligible persons should provide signed application forms (Spanish), $20 fees per copy, valid ID, and other requirements via in-person, online, phone, or mailed requests to:

Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson,
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221.

Ellis County Probate Court Records

The 23rd District Court adjudicates probate matters in Ellis County. Hence, records filed during will validation, distribution of estate, guardianship, mental health, or conservatorship cases are obtainable from the District Court Clerk. Interested persons may visit or send filled request forms to:

Ellis County District Court
107 West 12th Street,
P.O. Box 8,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-9415
Fax: (785) 628-8415
Email: Ellis_County_Clerk@kscourts.org

Ellis County Property Records

Accessing property records in Ellis County depends on the kind of property-related information the person seeks. Land documents like deeds, leases, mortgages, plats, and liens are filed and maintained by the Register of Deeds. Interested persons may address records requests to:

Register of Deeds
718 Main Street,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-9450
Fax: (785) 628-9451
Email: bdeed@ellisco.net

Additionally, the Ellis County Appraiser collects property-related information to value properties in the county accurately. As such, persons may conduct real property searches on the Appraiser’s website by owner’s name, address, parcel ID, or other descriptions. For appraisal records, send requests to:

County Appraiser
718 Main Street,
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-9400
Email: erupp@ellisco.net

Ellis County Court Records Online

Excluding government resources like courthouse terminals and the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal, persons may also access Ellis County court records online with third-party sites like Kansascourtrecords.us. These sites often collect court records from various sources and make them available to those who cannot request copies or visit courthouses.

Users may conduct searches by case number, party names, or other specific details to view case information or download court documents. However, some sites may have unreliable sources. Hence, data may be erroneous, outdated, or limited compared to that obtained from courts. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.