What are Riley County Public Records?
The KORA describes Riley public records as non-confidential data generated, maintained, or received by a government agency as it carries out official functions. Under the Act, agencies must provide access to these records except where lawful exemptions apply. Some exemptions include:
- Records exempt by state or federal law
- Some medical or psychological records
- Records that could compromise an undercover agent's identity
- Personnel records or performance ratings of current or prospective employees
- Some criminal investigation records
- Records of agencies involved in civil litigation or administrative adjudication
Riley County Crime Statistics
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) publishes annual crime reports with statistics of index crimes committed in all state counties. The KBI's 2019 report shows that the county recorded 1,567 index crimes, including 270 violent crimes and 1,297 property crimes. Published property crime statistics include 165 burglaries, 106 motor vehicle thefts, and 1,026 other cases of theft. For violent crimes in Riley County, the KBI recorded 1 murder, 30 rape incidents, 21 robberies, and 212 cases of aggravated assault or battery. The report also shows 13 arsons.
The total violent and property crime rates were 3.7 and 17.6 crimes, respectively, per 1,000 persons. Overall, the KBI reported 21.2 crimes per 1,000 Riley County residents in 2019.
Are Criminal Records Public in Riley County?
Riley County criminal records are public records. The state of Kansas allows residents to request and obtain third-party Riley criminal records from the KBI's Kansas Central Repository. The KBI offers name-based and fingerprint-based checks. While the name-based check costs $20 per person, costs for fingerprint-based checks may vary depending on the fingerprinting service used. The KBI also conducts certified record checks for visa applications, adoptions, and other similar purposes. Accessible information includes:
- Convictions for county resolutions or municipal ordinance violations equal to misdemeanors according to state statute
- All arrests not more than 12 months old if the KBI has not received records of disposition
- Uncompleted active diversions
- Convictions for felony or misdemeanor offenses
Note that juvenile offender records are unavailable.
How to Obtain Riley County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Persons interested in Riley County arrest records and police reports may contact the Riley County Police Department (RCPD). The RCPD entertains requests for Riley arrest records, accident reports, and other police records by mail or in person. To obtain a record, visit the Riley County Police Department Records Section or send a written request. The written application should provide the Records Section with as many details. Each record costs $5. Visit in person or send a written request, payment, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to:
Riley County Police Department
1001 South Seth Child Road
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-2112
Email: contact_rcpd@rileycountypolice.org
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Riley County?
Members of the public can find Riley County sex offenders using the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's public offender registry. To search the registry, users must enter details such as the offender's last name, first name, address details, or phone number. Users may also provide online identifiers such as email or Facebook details. The name search requires at least two letters of the offender's last name and at least one letter of the first name. The phone number or online identifier search will only confirm that the inputted details belong to a registered sex offender. This search will not display the offender's name. The information available on the registry may include the person's full name, aliases, birth date, gender, race, and addresses. Users may also access the offender's vehicle information, physical descriptors, and photographs. For more information contact the:
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Offender Registration Unit
1620 SW Tyler
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: (785) 296-2841
How to Find Riley County Inmate Records
To find an inmate incarcerated in Riley County, residents may reach out to the RCPD. Provide the police department with all available information, including charges, arrest information, and booking specifics. Use the following contact details:
Riley County Police Department
1001 South Seth Child Road
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-2112
Email: contact_rcpd@rileycountypolice.org
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Riley County Jail?
The Riley County Jail provides access to video visitations. Family and friends may visit inmates on-site from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Monday through Friday. On-site visitations take place for free in the RCPD's lobby. Interested persons may also take advantage of paid video visitations by signing up via the jail's online visitation vendor. Each visit lasts a maximum of15 minutes.
Visitors should be at least 18 years old. A younger person may visit only if the person is the inmate's sibling or child. Each minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No more than two minors may accompany an adult. Visitors may only enter the visitation area for a visit and must leave immediately it concludes. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants will be denied access. Visitors may only communicate with the inmate scheduled for the visit. Disorderly visitors will be removed from the facility. Note that visitors wearing clothing considered revealing or otherwise inappropriate will either be asked to change or denied access.
Visitors must present photo IDs. Other items allowed in the visitation area include:
- Car keys
- Required medical supplies
- One bottle and one diaper for an infant
All other items, including electronic devices, alcohol or tobacco products, and weapons are prohibited.
Court Records
The Riley County court system features a District Court and two Municipal Courts, which operate as part of the state's 21st Judicial District. The District Court is the county's trial court, with general and original jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, including minor criminal and traffic offenses.
Locations of Courts in Riley County
Riley County District Court
Riley County Courthouse
100 Courthouse Plaza
Manhattan, KS 66502-0158
Phone: (785) 537-6364
Fax: (785) 537-6382
Manhattan Municipal Court
610 Colorado Street
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 587-2450
Fax: (785) 587-2459
Email: court@cityofmhk.com
Ogden Municipal Court
222 Riley Avenue
P.O. Box C
Ogden, KS 66517
Phone: (785) 539-0311
Are Riley County Court Records Public?
Most Riley County court records are available to the public. Residents may request access to Riley court records and obtain information on the following:
- Case files and transcripts
- Judgment details
- Court budgets
- Oaths of office
However, Kansas law restricts access to some court records. For instance, juvenile and adoption records are primarily private. Furthermore, expunged records and some criminal investigation information may be restricted.
Can You Look up a Riley County Court Case Online?
The Kansas Judicial Branch provides public online access to District Court records through a public case management system. Using the system's smart search function, find records by entering a name or record number. Some advanced filtering options include a case type, case status, booking number, and filing date range.
How to Obtain Riley County Civil Court Case Records
Interested persons may send requests to the Riley County Court Clerk or visit the courthouse in person. Accessing Riley court records requires providing record details such as a case number, names of litigants, and charge details. Note that the Court Clerk may charge request fees to make copies available. Visit or send requests to:
Riley County District Court Clerk
Riley County Courthouse
100 Courthouse Plaza
Manhattan, KS 66502-0158
Phone: (785) 537-6364
Fax: (785) 537-6382
Residents may also use the public access computers available for public use at the courthouse. Search for records by entering a case number or a name.
How to Obtain Riley County Criminal Court Case Records
The Riley County District Court Clerk maintains records of criminal court cases heard in the county. Records are requestable by sending written applications which include the names of involved persons, case numbers, and other related details. Residents may also visit the courthouse to submit these details in person. The courthouse also provides public access computers for interested persons to search by name or case number. For mail or in-person requests, contact the:
Riley County District Court Clerk
Riley County Courthouse
100 Courthouse Plaza
Manhattan, KS 66502-0158
Phone: (785) 537-6364
Fax: (785) 537-6382
What are Riley County Vital Records?
Riley County vital records comprise recorded details of the county’s life events, such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. These records are maintained by the Riley County District Court and the Kansas Department of Vital Statistics. Not all Riley vital records are public records.
Where and How to Obtain Riley County Divorce Records?
Obtain Riley County divorce records from the District Court. Visit the court or send a written request containing the divorced persons' names, the date of divorce, and other available judgment details. Riley County divorce decrees are public and obtainable from the District Court. To request, contact the:
Riley County District Court Clerk
Riley County Courthouse
100 Courthouse Plaza
Manhattan, KS 66502-0158
Phone: (785) 537-6364
Fax: (785) 537-6382
Alternatively, interested persons may obtain Riley County divorce certificates from the Kansas Department of Vital Statistics. However, these records are not public records. Eligible requestors must be 18 years or older, and include the following:
- Either divorced party
- A parent, grandparent, current spouse, child, sibling, uncle, or aunt
- A legal representative
- Anyone that can prove a direct interest
The Department of Vital Statistics maintains records of divorces since July 1, 1951. Each record costs $15 for a five-year search, including the specified year, the two years before, and the two years after. If the exact year is unknown, specify the preferred five-year period to be searched. The requestor may also specify more than five years. However, each search will cost $15. Fees are accepted via checks or money orders made out to Kansas Vital Statistics. To request a Riley divorce certificate, complete the divorce certificate application. Enclose the completed form with a valid ID as described on the form, payment, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Send the request to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Where and How to Get Public Riley County Marriage Records
The District Court Clerk maintains records of Riley County marriages since May 1, 1913. The general public may contact the Court Clerk with details, including the married parties' names, marriage locations, and dates. Note that fees may apply. To obtain Riley County marriage records, contact the:
Riley County District Court Clerk
Riley County Courthouse
100 Courthouse Plaza
Manhattan, KS 66502-0158
Phone: (785) 537-6364
Fax: (785) 537-6382
Where and How to Get Confidential Riley County Marriage Records
Confidential Riley County marriage records for marriages since May 1, 1913, are available with the Kansas Department of Vital Statistics. These records are not public, and may only be obtained by the parties named on the record, a current spouse, legal guardian, and immediate family members. Each certificate costs $15, payable by checks or money orders made out to Kansas Vital Statistics. Send a completed marriage certificate application, payment, valid ID, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Where and How to Find Riley County Birth Records
The Kansas Department of Vital Statistics provides copies of birth records for births since July 1, 1911. Birth records are not public records and are only accessible to the following persons (if at least 18 years old):
- The person named on the record
- An immediate family member such as a parent, grandparent, child, current spouse, grandparent, aunt, and uncle
- Legal guardian
Each Riley birth certificate costs $15, payable by checks or money orders made out to "Kansas Vital Statistics." The fee covers a five-year search period. Persons who need to search for more years will be charged $15 for each five-year stretch. To obtain a birth record, complete and download a birth certificate application. Requestors also require valid IDs and self-addressed and stamped envelopes. Send the request to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Where and How to Find Riley County Death Records
Eligible parties can obtain Riley County death records from the Kansas Department of Vital Statistics. Records are available for all deaths since July 1, 1911. Riley county death records are not public records. Access is restricted to the subject of the record, and an immediate family member, a legal guardian, or a legal representative. Each record costs $15, which covers a five-year search. Persons unsure of the death year may specify more than five years. However, additional fees will be applicable. To request a Riley County death certificate, enclose a completed death certificate application with payment, valid ID, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Send the request to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
