Are Kansas Records Public?

Yes, Kansas Records are public. The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) mandates that government records should be accessible to the public. However, certain records may be restricted from public access. Exemptions from public access include:

• Juvenile records
• Expunged criminal records
• Adoption records
• Attorney-client privilege records
• Medical records
• Laboratory reports and file records
• Records of personal information
• Records on victims of sexual assault
• Records closed by the rule of evidence.
• Certain law enforcement records 
• Social Security Number records 

In addition, certain Kansas records can only be accessed through in-person visits to the custodian agency. For instance, the following records are not available through online portals:

• Birth Records
• Marriage Records
• Divorce Records
• Death Records 
• Stillbirth Records

The above records are Vital Records that can only be obtained by non-owners of the records through the court.

Who Can Access Kansas Public Records?

In Kansas, Public Records are accessible to everyone. The Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A 45-216) makes it mandatory for the government to provide access to Public Records to individuals irrespective of their citizenship status. However, the KORA laws exempt public access to birth, death, adoption, and juvenile records (these records can be available through court order). To deny access to Kansas Public Records, the custodian agency must show legal reasons for such decisions (K.S.A 45-218). There are no prerequisites or eligibility criteria for accessing Kansas Public Records if access is unrestricted by law.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Public Records in Kansas?

No, the Kansas Open Records Act does not require requesters for Public Records to state the purpose of use before accessing State Records. A Public Records custodian agency can only allow requesters access to records based on motive if the law exempts such records from public view. However, Kansas Public Records must not be for commercial purposes. Violating the no-commercial-use rule may lead to civil penalty prosecution and a fine of up to $500 per incident.

Not all requests for Public Records are for valid purposes. Legal use of Public Records in Kansas includes the following:

• To conduct academic and legal research
• To promote accountability among public officers
• For legal obligations
• To verify identity
• To locate wanted individuals
• For journalism and information dissipation.

What Records are Public in Kansas?

Kansas Open Records Act classifies most government records as public and open to individuals upon request. Public Records in Kansas include:

• Court Records
• Property Records
• Criminal Records
• Vital Records (this includes birth, death, marriage, and divorce records)
• Minutes of government meetings
• Business filing Records.
• Bankruptcy Records 
• Sex Offender Records 
• Arrest Records.

Kansas Public Court Records

Kansas Public Court Records are information on legal proceedings in the state. Public Court Records in Kansas contain details on:

• Case filings
• Rulings
• Court dockets
• Judgements and orders 
• Sentencing
• Legal arguments
• Witness attestation 
• Pleading
• Court minutes
• Case details.

In Kansas, keeping Court Records is the responsibility of the various courts within the state. Each arm of the Kansas judicial system (District, Appellate, and Supreme Courts) is responsible for keeping records within its jurisdiction. Information on specific court records is available at the relevant court where such cases are heard.

There are exemptions to accessing certain Kansas Court Records. Typically, the following Court Records are exempted in Kansas due to privacy and security considerations:

• Juvenile Records
• Sensitive Personal Information Records
• Sealed or Expunged Records and
• Certain Family Court Records.

Note: Exemptions can vary due to the type of court and case.

Kansas Public Criminal Records

Criminal Records contain information on an individual's crime history and breach of public laws. 

Keeping Criminal Records in Kansas is the responsibility of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Criminal Records information includes:

• Warrant of arrest records 
• Arrest records
• Charges  
• Court records
• Convictions records 
• Parole and probation records
• Fingerprints, and
• Mugshots
• Legal proceedings relating to unlawful activities.

In Kansas, there may be restrictions to accessing certain information on criminal records for privacy and security reasons. Typically, the Kansas Public Criminal Records redaction policy exempts access to criminal records that include:

• Victim information
• Personal identifiers such as home address, social security number, and birth date
• Witness information
• Juvenile information for cases involving underage individuals
• Sealed or Expunged records.

To access copies of Criminal Records in Kansas:

• Submit a request form
• Provide acceptable identification and
• Pay applicable fees.

Requesters can contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) by filling out and submitting an email message form or visiting the regional offices across the state. Interested parties can also write to:

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation Headquarters,

1620 SW Tyler

Topeka, KS 66612

(785) 296-8200

Kansas Public Arrest Records

Kansas Public Arrest Records documents instances where law enforcement took individuals into custody. In Kansas, Arrest Records are available to interested parties and contain the following information:

• Arrest details (time, date, and location of arrest
• Arrestee personal details (this includes name and date of birth)
• Charge information (the reason for arrest)
• Booking information
• Bail or bond information.

The criteria for assessing arrest records in Kansas may vary across law enforcement agencies in the state. However, arrest records in Kansas are public, and requesters should contact the specific agency involved in the arrest and make a formal request. Interested persons can search for relevant records through law enforcement agencies' online portals or make a formal request by completing the necessary forms and providing identification to the record's custodian law enforcement agency.

Note: Certain information may be redacted for privacy and security reasons, and there may be a potential delay in response time due to the complexity of getting the requested records and the method of applying for access.

Kansas Public Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records are official documents containing information on entities and individuals who filed for bankruptcy due to their inability to meet their financial obligations. Entities filing for bankruptcy seek legal relief from debts and protection to devise plans to pay creditors.

Kansas bankruptcy records contain the following details:

• The bankruptcy petition
• Schedules and statements (this outlines the debtor's assets and liabilities)
• Court orders and judgments on the bankruptcy case
• Creditors claim
• Record of meetings between the debtor, creditors, and trustees
• Report of the court-appointed liquidator
• Discharge order (if the bankruptcy is approved).

The United States Bankruptcy Court District of Kansas is responsible for bankruptcy records in Kansas.

There are three locations for the United States Bankruptcy Court District of Kansas (Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita). To obtain a bankruptcy record in Kansas:

• Identify the specific bankruptcy court in possession of the relevant records
• Contact the court clerk
• Provide the required case information that will aid in locating the records.
• Complete and submit a request form.

To look up bankruptcy records in Kansas, contact any United States Bankruptcy Court District of Kansas offices in person or through their official websites. Also, Kansas bankruptcy records are available through third-party websites and public records directories.

Note that information sourced from third parties may contain inaccuracies. Interested individuals can call or write to the various United States Bankruptcy Court locations in Kansas using the addresses below for additional details on Kansas bankruptcy records.

Kansas City:

Robert J. Dole Courthouse

500 State Avenue, Rm. 161

Kansas City, KS 66101

(913) 735-2110

Topeka:

Frank Carlson Federal Building

444 SE Quincy, Rm. 240

Topeka, KS 66683

(785) 338-5910

Wichita:

Wichita U.S. Courthouse

401 N. Market, Rm. 167

Wichita, KS 67202

(316) 315-4110.

Kansas Public Birth Records

Kansas Public Birth Records are official documents that detail the birth of individuals in the state. Keeping birth records in Kansas is the duty of the Office of Vital Statistics in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

Kansas Birth Records contain the following information:

• Name of the record owner at birth
• Date of birth 
• Place of birth 
• Parental information (mother's maiden name, names of biological or legal parents)
• Attending physician or midwife, and
• Birth certificate number.

In Kansas, Birth Records are not public, and to access them,  interested parties must:

• Show eligibility
• Provide necessary identification and
• Pay the fees that come with accessing birth records in Kansas.

Note that certain information may be redacted due to security and privacy reasons. Information on Kansas Birth Records is available.

• On the Office of Vital Statistics website
• By emailing the Office of Vital Statistics at kdhe.VitalRecords@ks.gov
• By mail or by in-person visit to

Office of Vital Statistics

1000 SW Jackson

Suite 120

Topeka, KS 66612-2221

(785) 296-1400

Kansas Public Death Records

Kansas Public Death Records is an official document that records deaths in the state.

Death records information include:

• Name of the dead
• Time and place of death
• Cause of death
• Place of death 
• Personal Identifying information such as date of birth and age at the time of death
• Parental information 
• Spousal information, if any
• Death certificate number.

Keeping death records in Kansas is the responsibility of the Office of Vital Statistics in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Death Records in Kansas are not public. An interested party must show eligibility and provide identifications to access Kansas death records. Accessing Kansas Death Records may include privacy considerations, access restrictions, and information redaction.

Kansas Public Marriage Records 

Kansas Marriage Records contain details of the legal unions of individuals living in the state.

Typically, Kansas marriage records contain the following information:

• Names of the married couple
• Date of marriage
• Location of the marriage ceremony
• Marriage license details (this includes marriage license number, date of issuance, and issuing authority)
• Name and title of the officiant
• Name of the witness to the marriage.

Keeping marriage records in Kansas is the duty of the County Clerk's Office at the location of the marriage.

To obtain Kansas Public Marriage Records, a requester meet the following requirements:

• Complete an application form
• Provide the necessary information to locate the records
• Proof of eligibility to access the records
• Submit identification documents
• Pay any applicable fee
• Submit a completed request form.

Like other Vital Records, there are considerations for the privacy and security of record owners, and there may be restrictions or redaction of certain information from accessible copies of marriage records in Kansas.

Kansas Public Divorce Records

Divorce records are official documents that provide information on the legal separation of couples in state-recognized marriages in the state. A Kansas divorce record information includes the following:

• Names of the divorced couple
• Date of divorce
• Court case number
• Reason for divorce
• Division of assets 
• Child support (if applicable)
• Spousal support agreement.

In Kansas, keeping divorce records is the responsibility of the District Court in the county location of the divorce proceedings.

To obtain divorce records in Kansas, the following steps apply:

• Identify the relevant court where the marriage was dissolved
• Log in to the District Court's website and source for resources that may help in obtaining the marriage records
• Fill out a request form by providing information such as names of the divorced couple, case number, and date of divorce
• Provide acceptable indentations
• Pay processing fees (if applicable)
• Submit the completed request form along with any required documents 
• Allow for time for the request to be processed.

Although divorce records are public in Kansas, restrictions may be on certain information due to privacy laws and regulations. Kansas Divorce Records may be:

• Subject to access limitations to sensitive information such as social security numbers and financial accounts 
• Available to only authorized individuals (this includes people with direct interest and legal representatives of the record owners)
• Required to show proof of eligibility to access the records.

Kansas Public Inmate Records

Kansas Public Inmate Records contain information on individuals incarcerated in various correctional facilities across the state. Inmate Records in Kansas contain the following information: 

• Full name of the inmate
• Booking details (information on the arrest and booking of the inmate)
• Booking number (or inmate ID)
• Criminal charges (the offense committed)
• Sentencing information (this includes the duration of the prison term and date of release)
• Parole or probation (if eligible).

In Kansas, Inmate Records in Kansas are public and available to interested individuals, including:

• Law enforcement agencies
• The inmate's legal representatives and
• Legal representatives in cases that involve the use of inmate records.

Keeping records of inmates in Kansas is the duty of the Kansas Department Of Corrections (KDOC).

To look up public Kansas inmate records, interested parties must:

• Provide inmate information
• Show proof of eligibility
• Provide identification
• Pay applicable fees
• Fill out and submit a request form
• Allow time for request processing.

Note that for compliance with privacy laws and regulations, access to certain information may be restricted.

Additional information on Kansas Public Inmate Records is available through the KDOC at:

Kansas Department of Corrections

714 SW Jackson, Suite 300 

Topeka, KS 66603

(785) 296-3317

Interested parties can also send email to KDOC_Pub@ks.gov.

Kansas Public Sex Offender Information

The Kansas Public Sex Offender Information keeps records of sex offense convicts in Kansas. Kansas Sex Offender Registration Act requires individuals convicted of sex offenses to register as sex offenders. Sex Offender Information is public in Kansas and is available to everyone. However, the use of sex offender information is subject to Kansas laws, and there are penalties for its misuse. The following outlines how to access sex Offender Information in Kansas:

• Visit the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Website 
• Search for sex offenders on the sex offender registry 
• Use the online interactive map to determine the offender's specific location
• Click on the individual's profile for information 
• Understand the risk level assigned to the offender (this may depend on the severity of the crime and the likelihood of it happening again)

Responsible use of sex offender information in Kansas helps in:

• Community safety
• Crime prevention
• Child protection
• Law enforcement support
• Risk assessment
• Community engagement, and
• Legal compliance.

Kansas Public Property Records

Kansas Public Property Records are official documents with information on real estate ownership within the state. In Kansas, public property records information include:

• Property ownership
• Property description (this includes the property location, address, size, and legal status)
• Assessment
• Tax records 
• Legal documents (this includes mortgage, deeds, and easements)
• Encumbrance and liens
• Zoning details.

To access Kansas Public Property Records:

• Determine the county where the property is
• Call, email, or visit the Register of Deeds or County Clerk's Office at the property location (contact information may be available through their official websites)
• Make inquiries on how to access property records in the particular county
• Provide property details for locating the records
• Pay any applicable fee for accessing property records in the county 
• Wait for the retrieval and processing of the records.

Note that the following conditions may apply to accessing property records in Kansas:

• Restriction to accessing sensitive information such as social security numbers and financial account details
• Access restrictions due to pending legal proceedings
• Restrictions to juvenile information
• Restrictions to certain land use records 
• Denial of access to unauthorized persons
• Denial of access for unauthorized use.

 What is Exempted Under the Kansas Public Records Act?

Exemptions under the Kansas Public Records Act (KORA) outline categories of records not subject to public disclosure. Records exempted from disclosure for security reasons include:

• Records covered under attorney-client privilege 
• Records exempted from disclosure by court order, state, or federal laws
• Medical records of identifiable individuals
• Records that may reveal the identity of undercover agents
• Criminal investigation records (unless the revelation is in the of the public)
• Records closed by rules of evidence
• Personal Information of Public Employees.

In the event of denial of access to public records in Kansas due to exemption, the following steps outline the process of challenging such decisions:

• Identify the reason for the exemption
• Request for an administrative appeal if the reason for exemption is not satisfactory
• Seek for meditation, or contact the Kansas Attorney General's Office if an administrative appeal fails
• File a lawsuit as a last resort to challenge the decision.  

 How Do I Find Public Records in Kansas?

To find Public Records in Kansas, apply the following steps:

• Decide the type of public records (for instance, this may be vital, court, property records)
• Identify the custodian agency for the particular records. For example, the Office of Vital Statistics in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment maintains birth, death, and stillbirth records. 
• Request the records from the relevant agency either by phone call, email, mail, or in-person visit. Requesters for Kansas Public Records must complete a request form and provide identification. They may need to pay fees to process such records.
• If a request to access Kansas Public Records is denied or partially granted by a custodian agency, affected parties can appeal to the head of the agency or contact the Kansas Attorney General's Office for a review of the decision.
• As a last resort, a requester can file a lawsuit to challenge the decision of a custodian agency to deny access to Kansas Public Records.

In Kansas, interested individuals can access Public Records through state and local government agencies responsible for keeping such records or third-party websites with large databases. Some third-party websites conglomerate records from various sources and provide resource tools that make it easier to search for records.

For efficient and effective records search, the following strategy might be helpful:

• Set a search goal by determining the type of records needed to narrow the search and avoid turning up irrelevant results. 
• Identify the relevant agency in possession of the records. For instance, to access official Kansas sex offender records, visit the Kansas Bureau of Investigation website. 
• Optimize search results using effective strategies that narrow search and save time. For example, use keywords, filters, operators, and phrases to modify search and exclude irrelevant results.
•  Evaluate the results to ascertain accuracy and relevance to the topic. Also, check to make sure the records are complete.
• Organize the records based on type, date, topic, or other applicable criteria. Also, backup records in secure locations to avoid losing them in the event of accidental deletion.

 Can I Find Free Public Records in Kansas Using Third-Party Sites?

Yes, certain Kansas Public Records may be available for free through third-party websites. Some third-party websites with large databases aggregate Kansas Public Records from various sources and make them available to interested parties. Third-party sites may offer easy-to-find information for free and charge a fee for a more complete record.

Note: Records sourced from third-party sites may need to be more accurate, complete, and up-to-date.

 How Much Do Public Records Cost in Kansas?

Kansas Open Records Act allows custodian agencies of Public Records to charge reasonable fees for providing access to records. The cost of accessing public records in Kansas depends on the following:

• Type of records
• Volume of records
• Staff required to process the records
• Time spent on processing the records and
• Mode of delivery of the records.

For obtaining copies or accessing Kansas Public Records, the following charges may apply:

• Copies - 25¢ per page of paper copy, and $0.125 per page for electronic copy
• Mailing - 50¢ for the first five pages, and an additional 25¢ per 5-page increments for paper copies. Electronic copy costs may be calculated based on the volume.
• Faxes - 65¢ per 10-page fax
• Staff time - Custodian agencies in Kansas are authorized to charge a reasonable fee for time spent by staff to process Public Records, and these costs may vary across agencies. The table below outlines applicable hourly fees for the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners.

Kansas Department of Commerce

Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners

Note that additional costs incurred by the custodian agency in connection with processing records will be assessed by the record requester.

Kansas custodian agencies may offer reduction or waiver for specific circumstances. For instance, there may be a fee reduction or waiver if the request is:

• From a Kansas resident, and the records are less than 100 pages
• By a media team, and the record is for a News broadcast
• From a non-profit organization that may use the records for educational purposes 
• For official duty by a government employee.

 What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

In Kansas, access to Public Records may be denied under the following conditions:

• The requested records are closed under the Kansas Open Records Act or other state laws
• The records do not exist or are not in the possession of the agency
• The request places an unreasonable burden and may disrupt the activities of the agency 
• The record request is ambiguous and may need to be resubmitted.

If a Kansas custodian agency refuses a Public Records request, it must issue a written response within three working days to explain the specific legal authority for such denial. A requester can make an administrative appeal to the head of the agency or file a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General's Office to review the decision.

Also, as a last resort, individuals have a right to file a lawsuit for wrongful denial at the Superior Court of the county where the custodian agency is located within a year from the date of access denial. If the lawsuit is successful, the court will order the agency to release the records, pay the attorney fees of both parties, and impose penalties on the agency for violating the law. However, if the judgment goes the other way, the plaintiff will have to pay the attorney fees of the custodian agency.

Interested parties can also source for Kansas Public Records from third-party online databases, News media, other public agencies (not the custodian agencies), or sources that may have the published records.