What are Ford County Public Records?
According to the Open Records Act, Ford County public records contain information produced, created, or maintained by a public agency. The law states that all interested persons can obtain public records by reaching out to the relevant record custodian. Obtaining copies of desired Ford County public records may require submitting official requests and paying varying copy fees. However, not all Ford County records are available to members of the general public. The Kansas Open Records Act specifies some exemptions, including the following:
- Personnel records, including individually identifiable information and performance ratings. However, names, salaries, and positions are open to the public
- Records that reveal the identity of an informant or an undercover agent
- Exam data, including testing materials before the examination
- Property appraisal or engineering records, except tax assessment information
- Employer-employee negotiation records
- All records considered confidential by law
- Records compiled for census or research
- Any record where public disclosure would be an unnecessary invasion of a person’s privacy
- An individual’s personal details submitted to a public agency, including contact information such as a cell phone number or an email address
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Ford County Crime Statistics
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provides public access to crime statistics received from law enforcement agencies in the state. According to the KBI’s 2020 report, Ford County law enforcement agencies recorded a total of 923 index crimes. The report had 150 violent crimes, including 13 rape cases, 14 robberies, and 123 aggravated assault reports. There was no reported murder in 2020.
The 2020 report further shows 773 property crimes, including 78 burglary incidents, 644 thefts, and 51 motor vehicle thefts. There were also 5 recorded cases of arson.
The KBI’s 2019 figures reveal a reduction in crime reports from 923 to 861, representing a 7.2% decrease. However, the county’s crime rate increased from 25.5 to 27.5 offenses per 1,000 residents between both years.
Are Criminal Records Public in Ford County?
Ford County criminal records are public records. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal records and allows interested persons to conduct a Criminal History Record Search Applications online. Each record search costs $20.00.
Parties can also conduct fingerprint-based record checks by submitting completed copies of the Applicant Fingerprint Card, FD Form 258 to the Kansas Central Repository. Parties who require these cards should send requests to the KBI, specifying the desired card type and purpose. The KBI charges $30.00 for name-based certified record checks, and $45.00 for fingerprint-based requests. All parties should submit requests for Ford criminal records to:
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Criminal History Records Section
1620 SW Tyler
Topeka, KS 66612-1837
How to Obtain Ford County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Ford County Sheriff’s Office provides police reports and arrest records to members of the general public. However, interested persons should note that Ford County arrest records and police reports are only available according to the provisions of the Kansas Freedom of Information Act. To obtain desired records, each requestor should contact the Sheriff’s Office with record details, such as the names of involved persons, an incident description, incident date, offense information, and other known details. All requests for Ford arrest records and police reports should be submitted using the contact information below:
Ford County Sheriff’s Office
11311 E Comanche
P.O. Box 747
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-4501
Fax: (620) 227-4504
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Ford County?
The Ford County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online database containing details of sex offenders registered in the county. Using the Offender Watch on the Sheriff’s Office’s website, record seekers can search by name, city, and area, and also view a list of non-compliant sex offenders. Search results display each offender’s full name, aliases, physical description, registration number, level, address, and vehicle information.
How to Find Ford County Inmate Records
Inmate records are available at the Ford County Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers should contact the Sheriff’s Office with the inmate’s full name, charge information, and booking details. Each person should send a request or visit the Sheriff’s Office using the following details:
Ford County Sheriff’s Office
11311 E Comanche
P.O. Box 747
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-4501
Fax: (620) 227-4504
Ford County Court Records
Ford County has District and Municipal Courts that handle county cases. The District Court is the county’s court of general jurisdiction, handling cases through specialized court divisions, such as a Small Claims department. Kansas law limits the Municipal Court’s jurisdiction to city ordinance violations, minor criminal offenses, and traffic offenses. Jury trials are only available at the District Court.
Locations of Courts in Ford County
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
Bucklin Municipal Court
117 W Oak Street
Bucklin, KS 67834-3438
Phone: (620) 826-3581
Fax: (620) 826-3894
Dodge City Municipal Court
806 North Second Avenue
Dodge City, KS 67801-0880
Phone: (620) 225-8107
Fax: (620) 225-8112
Spearville Municipal Court
302 North Main Street
Spearville, KS 67876
Phone: (620) 385-2512
Fax: (620) 385-229
Are Ford County Court Records Public?
Interested persons can obtain copies of most Ford County court records. Requestors can view case files, transcripts, judgment details, and record information. However, some records considered sensitive or confidential are not open to the public. For instance, members of the general public cannot access adoption or juvenile records. Sealed or expunged Ford court records are also closed to the public.
How to Obtain Ford County Civil Court Case Records
Ford County civil court records are obtainable from the county courthouse. Interested requestors should visit the courthouse or send mail requests containing relevant record information. Each request should include names, dates, and the court’s judgment. Parties should also note that access to these records may cost varying fees. All interested persons should send requests to:
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
How to Obtain Ford County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court records are available at the Ford County District Court. Record seekers should submit relevant record information to the courthouse, such as names of litigants, charge information, and judgment details. Each request may incur charges depending on record type and volume. All parties should forward requests to:
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
What are Ford County Vital Records?
Ford County vital records contain information on county divorces, marriages, births, and deaths. Interested requestors can obtain records from the Ford County District Court and the Kansas Office of Vital Records. However, Kansas law restricts public access to certain Ford vital records.
Divorce Records
Ford County divorce records contain details of divorces finalized in the county. These divorce records may be divorce decrees, which reveal final judgment and settlement details, or divorce certificates that contain limited information. Persons interested in Ford County divorce decrees may submit the parties’ names, divorce dates, case numbers, and other details to the District Court by mail or in person. Parties may request at the address below:
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
Requestors seeking Ford County divorce certificates should send completed copies of the divorce certificate application to the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. However, Kansas law only allows access to the following persons:
- Either party to the divorce
- Either party’s parent, sibling, child, current spouse, grandparent, uncle, aunt, or legal custodian with a custody order.
Eligible persons should submit current and valid identification, a $15.00 check or money order payable to "Kansas Vital Statistics," and the application form, to the address below:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
Marriage Records
A Ford County marriage record proves that an eligible couple met and completed all marital requirements as provided by Kansas law. All interested persons can obtain Ford County marriage certificates from the county’s District Court. Requestors should submit known details, including relevant names, dates, and locations, to the 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
Birth Records
Ford County birth records contain details of county births, including the subject’s name, date of birth, place of birth, and the names of both parents. Ford County birth certificates are obtainable from the Kansas Office of Vital Records, but only available to the following persons:
- The person named on the record
- The person’s current spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian with custody order
Each eligible party may visit the Office of Vital Records or submit a completed birth certificate application, a $15.00 money order or check made out to “Kansas Vital Statistics,” and a current legal photo ID to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
Death Records
Death records contain details of county decedents, including each one’s name, date of death, place of death, and age at death. Interested persons may visit the Kansas Office of Vital Records or send mail requests to obtain Ford County death records. However, the office only entertains requests from the following persons:
- The decedent’s parent, grandparent, sibling, child, current spouse, uncle, or aunt
- The decedent’s legal guardian requesting with the applicable custody order
Any of the above persons can complete a death certificate application and submit it to the following address, along with a $15.00 money order or check payable to “Kansas Vital Statistics,” and a valid ID:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
