What are Kansas Property Records?
Kansas property records are legal documents that contain data related to a property or parcel of land. They contain details regarding land ownership, real estate, or a building ( be it commercial or residential). Kansas property records are recorded, filed, managed, and maintained by the Register of Deeds Office in the county where the property is located. The office, in turn, makes these records available to those who seek data.
The documents constituting a Kansas property record include; Deeds of property, tax records for property, property survey records, and mortgage records. It is standard practice to update property records after every sale or change of ownership of property, whether partial or complete, either as a gift or an inheritance. This is because property records can be used as a reference document in a property dispute involving the property. It can also be referred back to for mortgages or foreclosure.
Kansas property records are filed and maintained at the 105 counties level within the state. Some of the data contained in a Kansas property record include the name current owner and chain of past owners, the price of the property, the value of the property as at last appraised, the historical significance (if any), annual tax, and the date it was last sold.
Are Kansas Property Records Public?
Yes, Kansas property records are public information. The Kansas Open Records Act allows property records in Kansas to be accessible to interested members of the public Kansas property records are made available through county-managed databases and private/third-party sites. Those who seek records can check the online database maintained by the county where the property is located or a third-party aggregate site where this information is made available. Or, one could visit any of the Register of Deeds office or Assessors office.
Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:
- The property’s exact location.
- The property owner’s details.
What Information is Included in Kansas Property Records?
Some information that an inquirer can obtain from Kansas property records includes:
- Deeds: Kansas property deed is a document that backs up a claim of ownership of a particular property. It also shows the chain of ownership of a property and contains details regarding its current and past owners. There are different types of deeds, some of which are quitclaim deeds, beneficiary deeds, and redemption deeds.
- Tax records: Kansas property tax records are documents showing records of all transactions related to tax payments on a property, including tax owed.
- Power of Attorney: The Kansas power of attorney is an official document that accords an individual or company the right to legally represent the owner of a property and make decisions (legal, financial) regarding the management or maintenance of a property.
- Plats: A Kansas plat is a document showing the borderline of a piece of property drawn to scale.
Other information found in Kansas property records includes; extensions, death certificates (where necessary), performance bonds, etc.
Where to Search Kansas Public Property Records
Persons who want to search for Kansas public property records can begin the search at the town/city where the property is located. One can also query the county clerk of the county where the property is located to obtain a public property record. Most county's public property records are available online on the site maintained by the county. For instance, members of the public seeking property records in Johnson County can visit Johnson County property data, Kansas to look up property records. Third-party sites are also a place to check for Kansas property records online. Please note that data records made available by third-party sites would probably differ as their information sources may differ.
Those who need to learn precisely where a property is located in order to search Kansas public property records can look up U.S. land records from the national archives. The database contains land records for all states in the United States. The Bureau of Land Management is another place to search for records.
How to Do a Property Records Search in Kansas
Members of the public who want to do a property record search in Kansas should check the site maintained by the county where the property is located. The requester would need to know the exact location where the property is located and/or the name of the property. Most county sites are quite easy to navigate and conduct searches. One can also carry out property records search in Kansas on third-party sites as an alternative.
The requestor may also opt to visit the office of the County Clerk, Real Estate Division, or the office of the Register of Deeds to request property records in person.
Wyandotte County.
Address:
701, 7th street, Kansas City,
Kansas 66101, United States
Phone: (913) 573-5260
Sedgwick County Courthouse
Address:
100 North Broadway Street Ste. 620, Wichita,
Kansas 67203, United States
Phone: (316) 660-9222
Republic County
Address: 1815 Sreet, Belleville,
Kansas 66935, United States
Phone: (785) 527-7231
Lincoln County
Address: 216 East Lincoln Avenue # A, Lincoln,
Kansas 67455, United States
Phone: (785) 524-4757
Reno County
Register of Deeds office
Address: Courthouse Annex Building,
125 West 1st Avenue, Hutchinson,
Kansas 67501, United States.
The fee for a certified copy of a property record is $13.
Please note that one's expenses would increase with the increase in records requested or services offered per request. Also, the fee for a certified copy of the property record may differ slightly from one county to another. The replacement fee for a misplaced deed of ownership from the Register of Deeds is $1.
How to Find the Owner of a Kansas Property Using Public Records.
If one is seeking to find the owner of a Kansas property using public records, one can send a request to the Real Estate Records Department, office of the County Clerk. The Department of Real Estate Records is in charge of filing and maintenance of property records, and this document provides information about property owners. One can get information about a Kansas property's past and current owners, including their contact address and phone number. Those seeking to find the owner of a Kansas property can also query the County Appraiser. Property taxation records usually include documents that state the owner's name, including a chain of previous property owners. Another place to look up is third-party aggregate sites on which this information can be obtained. Take note that the data provided may differ from one site to another.
What are Kansas Property Records Used For?
Property records can be used for several things as the need arises. They can also be used by any member of the public who has a legitimate reason for use. Property records can be used for personal reasons, commercial or communal purposes. Generally, property records provide a background check in regards to a property and its owner. These documents also serve as references in the following instances:
- Research purposes, personal or hired, to investigate and find details regarding a property, its record history, appraisal, taxation, and ownership for intending buyers.
- Establishing or proving ownership of a property.
- Resolving matters that have to do with boundary line issues or land encroachment.
- It can serve as a reference document for resolving property issues regarding wills or inheritance or transfer of property as a gift.
- Providing details for mortgages or insurance purposes.
In addition, Kansas property records can be used to determine the current market value of a particular property.
How to Find Kansas Property Tax Records.
If one intends to find Kansas property tax records, the best place to start would be the Assessors Office. Most counties maintain a database where this data can be easily and conveniently accessed by interested members of the public. Information on a tax record includes records of past property appraisal and tax payments, outstanding tax payments (if any), date when the tax was last paid, etc. records would also show if there are any outstanding liens on a particular property and how much it is. One can find Kansas property tax records at the county level on the database maintained by the Assessors' office. For example, those interested in finding a property tax record in Johnson county can check Tax Reports | Johnson County Kansas to find records. To pay property tax in Kansas, one can visit the Kansas property tax payment online.
Some private aggregate databases also make Kansas property tax records available to interested members of the public. Those seeking to obtain property tax records can look up these sites bearing in mind that the data and services provided may differ from one site to another.
What to Do When You Can't Find Property Records in Kansas.
In some instances, requestors may be unable to find a particular property record in Kansas. This can cause a delay or even the termination of the development of a real estate or land property. In such instances, the party or parties involved can file a case with the court in the county where the property is located. The court would then mediate to determine ownership of the said property or any other matter that should be resolved. One can also seek to find other documents that relate to the particular property, say a tax record or survey document, that can provide some form of helpful information. Those who cannot find a property record can employ the services of an attorney who can help search court records for any case file related to the said property, if any.
If no document is found at all, the party/parties involved can proceed to the office of the Register of Deeds to begin the process of recording and fling the property.
The fee for recording property in Kansas is $21 for the first page and $17 for the second page, and any additional page(s). After filing has been completed, the fee to secure a certified copy of a property record is $13.
Note that one's expenses would be determined based on the record and services required by request made. Also, bear in mind that the fee for a certified copy of the property record may differ from county to county. The cost of replacing a deed of ownership from the office of the Register of Deeds is $1.
Members of the public who wish to record and file a property record should ensure that:
- Adequate research is carried out and the findings are accurate.
- All documents are arranged and submitted in the order they would be recorded.
- Filings at the office of the Register of Deeds are done accurately.
- Documents are readable and clear.
