Ford County Court Records

Ford County court records include a comprehensive collection of documents and information filed in judicial cases. These records typically encompass details such as the case type, names of parties involved, hearing schedules, the presiding judge’s name, and the attorneys representing the parties. In Ford County, Kansas are a vital resource for conducting background checks, monitoring case statuses, and gaining insight into the judicial process. Public access to these records ensures transparency and accountability within the legal system.

Are Court Records Public in Ford County?

Yes, court records in Ford County are considered public information, in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-221). This law mandates that the courts provide access to public records upon request. However, certain records are deemed confidential under Kansas state law and may not be accessible to the public. Examples of confidential Ford County court records include:

• Sealed or expunged court records
• Child custody or support proceedings
• Grand jury proceedings
• Psychiatric, medical, or psychological records
• Personal identifying information of the victims, jurors and witnesses
• Adoption proceedings
• Juvenile court cases
• Expunged criminal records

Ford County Court Records Search

Ford County court records can be accessed through any of the following channels:

• Online Access: For example, the Kansas Judicial Branch provides a centralized Public Access Portal, which allows individuals to search for case information online.
• In-Person Requests: Inquirers may request records in person at the Ford County District Court or local Municipal Courts.
• By Phone, Email, or Written Requests to the courthouse where the case was heard
• Through Public Access Terminals at the county courthouse
• Third-Party Platforms

Ford County Courts

Ford County is part of the 16th Judicial District of Kansas, which handles district court cases across multiple counties. The addresses and contact information of the county’s courthouses are as follows:

Ford County District Court
101 West Spruce,
P.O. Box 197,
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-4609
Fax: (620) 227-6799

Bucklin Municipal Court
117 West Oak Street,
P.O. Box 458,
Bucklin, KS 67834
Phone: (620) 826-3581
Fax: (620) 826-3894

Dodge City Municipal Court
806 North 2nd Avenue,
P.O. Box 880,
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 225-8107
Fax: (620) 225-8144

Spearville Municipal Court
302 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 441,
Spearville, KS 67876
Phone: (620) 385-2512
Fax: (620) 385-2299

Ford County Criminal and Civil Records

In Ford County, court records are primarily categorized into civil and criminal court records. Criminal court records pertain to criminal adjudications in the county’s trial court, and civil court records relate to civil suits. The office of the district court clerk maintains both record categories. Interested members of the public may send written requests containing details of the record of interest to the county courthouse at:

Ford County District Court
Ford County Courthouse
101 W Spruce
P.O. Box 197
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-4609
Fax: (620) 227-6799

On the other hand, criminal records are generated and maintained by state and county law enforcement agencies. Interested members of the public may obtain Ford county arrest and criminal information by querying the county sheriff’s office at:

Ford County Sheriff's Office
11311 East Comanche Street
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-4590

Similarly, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) facilitates access to Ford County criminal records for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Criminal record checks can be conducted either by name or through fingerprint-based searches. Users can access the Criminal History Record Search Portal for name-based searches, requiring a KanAccess account. The portal is operational daily between 4:00 a.m. and Midnight.

Requesters must complete the FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card (FD Form 258) for fingerprint-based checks. To obtain fingerprint cards, individuals must send a written request to the KBI, including their full name, mailing address, purpose of the request, type of card required, and the number of fingerprint cards needed. This service is free, but fingerprint-based searches cost $45 per individual. Requests should be sent to:

Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Criminal History Records Section
1620 SW Tyler
Topeka, KS 66612-1837

Once the completed fingerprint card is returned, it must be submitted to the KBI's Central Repository. Additionally, certified copies of criminal records can be requested by completing the Certified Record Check Request Form. The fees for certified copies are $40 for name-based searches and $55 for fingerprint-based searches.

Ford County Marriage Records

A Ford county marriage record is typically created following the solemnization of a marital union within county limits. These records are primarily managed by the office of the District court clerk and can be obtained by sending a written request to the office via mail.

Additionally, marriage records from 1913 onward can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics.

Records can be requested by submitting a mail application for Certified Copy of Kansas Marriage Certificate with a valid ID and payment to the KDHE office at:

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

Alternatively, record seekers may use the "IKAN" app, or visit the KDHE office for same-day service.

Ford County Divorce Records

Divorce records are available at the Ford County District Court. These records pertain to the dissolution of marital union within county limits and generally encompass divorce decrees, certificates and other documents. Per Kansas law, these documents are typically available to the persons named on the record, their direct relative and their legal representative.

Eligible persons may request these records by sending a Kansas divorce certificate application along with a payment of $20 to the Office of Vital Statistics.

Like Ford county marriage records, divorce records may also be accessed via app or by making in-person queries to the office.

Ford County Birth Records

Per K.S.A. 65-2422d, birth records are not public in Kansas. These records pertain to birth events that occur within county limits and feature the name of the individual, their parents along with the date and place of birth. Ford county birth records are only available to authorized parties, such as the record holder or immediate family members. Interested and eligible members of the public may obtain these records by completing the Kansas birth certificate application, and submitting it along with a payment of $20 and a valid government issued ID to the Office of Vital Statistics.

Interested persons may also request these records through an authorized third-party vendor. However, they will be charged a $13.95 expedited service fee. Alternatively, mail-in requests can be made by visiting the KDHE office in person.

Ford County Death Records

Ford county death records are also restricted from public disclosure per Kansas law. They are strictly accessible to the deceased pa=rents or legal guardians, their direct relations including the siblings, children and spouse as well as the legal guardians and those with a direct tangible interest in the record. Eligible requesters may obtain these records by sending a Kansas death certificate application, a payment of $20 and a valid ID to the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics.

Ford County Probate Court Records

The Ford County District Court oversees probate cases. These cases generally pertain to the management and distribution of a deceased person's estate according to their will or state law if there is no will (intestate). In Ford county, requests for probate records can be made in person, by phone, or by email to the office of the district court clerk. Copies cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies are $1 per document. Inquirers may visit the courthouse during regular business hours or contact them at (620) 227-4609.

Ford County Property Records

Ford county property records refer to official documents pertaining to a property, its value, taxes and its physical location and ownership. Deeds, title records, mortgage records, property tax records as well as plat maps and survey records are all considered types of property records. Depending on the type, a Ford county property record may be maintained by the Ford County Appraiser’s Office, Register of Deeds, and Treasurer’s Office. Inquirers may retrieve records using the Ford County Parcel Search Tool or make in-person/mail queries to:

Ford County Register of Deeds
100 Gunsmoke Street
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-4565

Ford County Court Records Online

Third-party platforms, such as Kansascourtrecords.us also provide access to Ford county court records. However, while these sites offer users the convenience of remote access to public information, users are encouraged to verify the information retrieved from these platforms against official county records to ensure accuracy.