Are Kansas Marriage Records Public?
Yes, Kansas marriage records are public. However, a certified copy of a marriage record in Kansas is accessible only to individuals named in the record and their immediate family members. Other parties eligible for access include the attorneys of the couple named in the record, their legal beneficiaries, and those with whom they share joint property rights. Kansas State has archives of marriage records that date back to May 1, 1913. Record seekers can order Kansas public marriage records online from the State Historical Society website. However, only marriage records filed before May 1, 1913, are available for public perusal.
Family Court records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain the personal information of those involved, and their maintenance is critical should anyone wish to make changes. Because of this, both marriage and dissolution of marriage records can be more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records and may not be available through government sources or third-party public record websites.
How to Find Kansas Marriage Records
Kansas marriage records are official documents that endorse and provide details of marital unions in the state. These records may include marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and divorce certificates in Kansas, where applicable. In Kansas, marriages contracted by state laws or common law are recognized. Besides the union between a man and a woman, same-sex marriages are also recognized in Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics is the agency that maintains marriage records in the state. The Office issues certified copies of marriage records to only an authorized few, such as the subject of such a record, an immediate family member, or a legal representative. Eligible individuals can find marriage records online, by mail, by phone app, or by visiting the Office. Kansas public marriage records are available on the State Historical Society website. Only records of marriages before May 1, 1913, are available on the website.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Kansas
Dating someone comes with many expectations. For instance, some people might not be comfortable entering a relationship with someone who is already married. This sometimes forces them to run a background check on the person to ascertain their marital status. Record seekers can find out if someone is married by requesting their marriage records. Here is how to find marriage records in Kansas:
- Visit the County Clerk of the District Court in the county where the marriage license was issued to find the marriage records of the person.
- Conduct a marriage record search in Kansas using the online tool provided by the Kansas Historical Society (KHS) if the marriage occurred before May 1, 1913.
- Request the person’s marriage certificate from the Office of Vital Statistics online, in-person, by telephone, mobile app, or by mail if the marriage occurred from May 1, 1913, to the date.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Kansas?
Kansas marriage records refer to a collection of legal documents that provide information and validation about marriages contracted in the state. Kansas marriage records include marriage licenses and marriage certificates.
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third-party public records websites can also provide these types of records. However, because third-party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and dissolution of marriage records are considered highly private and often sealed, meaning the availability of these records cannot be guaranteed.
How to Check Kansas Marriage Records for Free
Knowing how to check marriage records for free can be useful information and a good place to begin a background check on anyone. The Kansas Historical Society (KHS) provides marriage records before May 1, 1913, for free, and anyone requiring such information can access it through the online platform or by visiting the state archives office at:
Kansas Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Avenue
Topeka KS 66615-1099
Email: kshs.information@ks.gov
Phone: (785) 272-8682
To carry out a record search on the KHS online platform, users would need to provide any of the following information:
- Groom’s First Name
- Groom’s Last Name
- Bride’s First Name
- Bride’s Last Name
- County
- Date Range
A list of the counties and the dates for which records are available is at the lower part of the web page. Contact the KHS for more information on how to check marriage records for free.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Kansas
Newlyweds who intend to change their name after marriage in Kansas must first locate their marriage license. A certified marriage license is an official document that parties use to legalize a name change. Parties, who are already married, can apply for certified copies. Once this application process is complete, the party can then change the name on their Social Security Card by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Kansas. The interested party must:
- Fill out a form SS-5 application
- Provide a certified copy of their marriage certificate
- Submit proof of identity, such as a Kansas State ID or current driver's license
- Provide proof of citizenship if this has not been submitted to the SSA beforehand
Parties can send these documents to a local SSA office by mail or in person. Usually, the application process takes up to three weeks. It is also necessary to inform other authorities, like the Kansas Department of Revenue (DOV), by visiting a local DOV office. Parties must present proof of name change (certified copies of their marriage certificate) and their current driver's license.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Kansas?
A marriage certificate in Kansas is a legally recognized document that acknowledges that a marriage union solemnized in the state is valid. This document is presented after the marriage ceremony is approved by a state-issued license.
A marriage certificate in Kansas contains the following information:
- Names of the couple (as written in the marriage license)
- Time and place where the marriage ceremony was performed
- Identity and signature of witnesses at the ceremony
- Identity and contact details of the officiant
In Kansas, copies of certificates issued for marriages contracted within the state are registered with the Vital Statistics Unit of the state’s Department of Health and Environment. These documents are sent to the Vital Statistics Unit by the various District Courts in the state. Registered marriage certificates become a part of Kansas vital records. A record seeker who wants to know how to find a marriage certificate in Kansas can contact the Vital Statistics Unit
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Kansas?
Marriage certificates are part of Kansas vital records. Certified copies are often useful for several purposes including employment and when filing claims of benefits/inheritance or next-of-kin rights.
Copies of marriage certificates in Kansas can be obtained from a District Court or the state's Vital Statistics Office.
Contact the District courthouse in the county where the marriage was performed and the certificate issued by writing to the District Judge. Provide details for locating the record including names of the persons on the record and date of marriage. Bring along a government-approved ID and proof of relationship to either party named on the record
Online marriage certificates are available via the third-party vendor approved by the Office of Vital Statistics of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Requesters can also order marriage certificate copies from the Office. To request these vital records in person, visit:
Office of Vital Statistics
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
The Kansas Vital Statistics Office also accepts mail requests for marriage certificates.
Start by downloading and completing an Application for a Certified Copy of the Kansas Marriage Certificate. Submit it by mail along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check or money order equivalent to the processing fee, and a photocopy of a government-approved ID.
The Vital Records Office charges $20 for each certified copy of a Kansas marriage certificate. This fee is payable by check or money order made out to Kansas Vital Statistics. Contact the District Court or the state's Vital Statistics Office for more information on how to find a marriage certificate in Kansas.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Kansas?
Kansas marriage license is a written consent issued by the state, which permits prospective couples to proceed to marriage. Obtaining a marriage license in Kansas is a mandatory step to getting married in the state. Both citizens and non-citizens of marriageable age are qualified to obtain marriage licenses. Kansas marriage licenses are issued only for marriages to be contracted within the state.
Are Marriage Licenses Public Records in Kansas
Kansas marriage licenses are not accessible to the public as they are restricted information. They are only accessible to the subjects of the documents, their family members or relatives, or a legal representative.
How Do I Get a Marriage License in Kansas?
Marriage licenses in Kansas are available at the county level. Eligibility requirements for obtaining these licenses vary from county to county. Intending couples should contact the District Court in the county where they hope to be married for specific instructions.
To request a Kansas marriage license, start by obtaining and completing an application form from a District courthouse. When filling out this form, provide the full names of intending spouses and their social security numbers or driver’s license numbers. Submit the completed form along with government-approved photo IDs of both parties applying for the license. Ensure that all information is correct and legible, as the information in the license is required to prepare the marriage certificate. Wait for three business days for processing time. A cash payment of $85.50 is required at the point of collection of the license.
Each individual named in a marriage license application must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be ready to have the marriage ceremony performed within 6 months of issuance of the license
- Have been released from any form of commitment to a previous marriage. Proof of divorce decree is required as evidence
After the marriage ceremony, return the marriage license along with the attached marriage certificate form to the District courthouse where the license was obtained. Thereafter, request for certified copies of marriage licenses either by mail or in person. Processing charges may vary from county to county. Couples applying for their marriage licenses after 30 days of filing with the court may send their applications to the Office of Vital Statistics of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This Office charges $20 per marriage license copy. Alternatively, call Kansas Vital Statistics at (785) 296-1400 to order online certified copies of a marriage license.
Kansas Formal Marriage Licenses
Formal marriage licenses are issued in Kansas for intending couples that opt for formal marriage proceedings. These licenses serve as state approvals for upcoming marriages and are used to prepare marriage certificates for couples after the solemnization of their unions.
Kansas Common Law Marriage Licenses
Although Kansas acknowledges common-law marriages, the state does not issue marriage licenses. Rather, a couple in a common-law marriage receives an affidavit of common-law marriage signed by a notary public and filed with the District Court Clerk in their county of residence.
Are Prenups Public Records in Kansas
Prenuptial agreements, often known as marriage contracts, describe the rights of prospective spouses with regard to their individual and joint property. Additionally, it decides how to divide the inheritance among children if the marriage fails. Prenuptial agreements are usually done before a prospective couple exchanges vows. Intending couples seeking to prenups must ensure they comply with the provisions set for in the Kansas Statutes 23-2401 to 23-2411.
