What are Topeka Public Records?
Under the KORA, a public record includes recorded information created, maintained, or preserved by a government agency. All public records, regardless of characteristics or form, must be made available to the public upon request. Although most records are public, access to the following records is restricted:
- All records specifically prohibited from disclosure by state law, federal law, or a Kansas Supreme Court rule
- Medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment records
- Some criminal investigation records
- Security information
- Preliminary drafts and research data
- Records of an attorney's work product
Topeka Crime Statistics
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provides crime statistics reported by individual law enforcement agencies in the state. According to the KBI's 2019 crime index, the Topeka Police Department (TPD) recorded 918 violent crimes and 6,997 property crimes. According to the crime index, there were 13 murders, 83 cases of rape, and 252 robberies. With 570 reported incidents, aggravated assault/battery was the most committed crime. The violent crime rate was 7.3 crimes per 1,000 persons. The KBI also reported 1,012 burglaries, 981 motor vehicle thefts, and 5,004 thefts. There were 3 cases of arson not reported as part of listed property crimes. The property crime rate for 2019 was 55.7 crimes per 1,000 persons. Overall, Topeka's total crime rate was 63 crimes per 1,000 persons.
Are Topeka Criminal Records Public?
Most Topeka criminal records are accessible by the general public. Kansas law allows any individual, company, or entity to obtain criminal history record information from the Kansas Central Repository, managed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The general public may obtain adult conviction criminal history information, including the following:
- Court convictions for misdemeanors and felonies
- Records of incarceration in Kansas facilities
- Convictions for municipal ordinance or county resolution violations that are equivalent to misdemeanors
- Records of arrests not more than 12 months old if there are no records of disposition
The Topeka Police Department does not issue copies of criminal history records. Interested persons must contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
How to Obtain Topeka Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Topeka Police Department issues copies of public Topeka records, including police reports. Interested persons should visit the TPD'S Records Room to request police reports created by the department. Excluding motor vehicle crash reports, each police report costs $2. Note that some parts of a police report may be considered private and will be redacted before issuance. Requestors may contact the TPD using the following information:
Topeka Police Department
Records Room
320 South Kansas Avenue
Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 368-9221 (Records Bureau)
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Topeka
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation maintains a public offender registry with information on sex offenders in the state. The searchable registry allows requestors to find Topeka sex offenders by full name and reporting compliance. The registry also features a geographical search for interested persons to find offenders by street, city, and zip code. Users may also search the registry using the offender's phone number, online identity, email address, or social media details.
Available information on each offender includes a full name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and primary address. The search result also displays offense information, including offense description, offense date, and conviction date. Furthermore, users have access to photographs of the offender and their duration of registration. Interested persons may also register for community notifications, to receive emails when a registered sex offender registers at a school, work, or home address close to an area of interest.
How to Find Topeka Inmate Records
The Shawnee County Department of Corrections provides public access to information on incarcerated persons through an inmate search. Interested persons may find Topeka inmate records by providing the inmate's last name. Further information, including a first name and birth date, also helps streamline the search results. The result displays each inmate's full name, date of birth, gender, and photographs. It also displays the time and date of the booking, booking number, information on charges, court dates, and bond details.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections Adult Detention Center?
Each visitor must provide valid picture identification when visiting an inmate at the Adult Detention Center. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, school ID card, or state ID card. Personal belongings, such as cameras, cell phones, purses, radios, and coats, may not be carried into the facility's visitation area. Visitors should either keep these items away or use the lockers in the facility's lobby to store the items.
The facility also allows professional visitors, including law enforcement and clergy. Professional visitors must provide professional identification, such as government, law enforcement, or religious ID. The visitation schedule is as provided by the facility. However, professional visits from attorneys, probation officers, and religious leaders are not restricted to the schedule. Special visits, such as visits from persons outside Kansas or any other visit considered "special", must be pre-approved and pre-arranged with the facility's deputy director. Any visitor wearing revealing clothes, clothing items with profanity, or any other outfit deemed inappropriate, will not be allowed in.
Court Records
As part of the Kansas Judicial Branch, the Shawnee County District Court sits in Topeka city and exercises general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The city of Topeka also has a Municipal Court with limited jurisdiction over city ordinance violations. The Municipal Court also hears minor criminal offenses and traffic violations. The District Court grants access to public Topeka court records, such as criminal, civil, and probate records.
Locations of Courts in Topeka
Shawnee County District Court
200 SE 7th Street
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 251-6700
Topeka Municipal Court
214 SE 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 368-3776
Fax: (785) 368-3782
Are Topeka Court Records Public?
Most Topeka court records are open to the public. Under Kansas law, all residents may request access to court records from the Shawnee County District Court. However, some records may be sealed by court order, and therefore exempt from public disclosure. Furthermore, juvenile records and adoption proceedings are considered private.
Can You Look up a Topeka Court Case Online?
The Shawnee County District Court provides online access to court records. Interested persons may search court records by case number or by name. The name search requires the last name or business name of one party to the case. However, searchers may also streamline results by providing a party's first name and middle name.
How to Obtain Topeka Court Case Records
The Shawnee County District Court maintains court records and issues copies to requestors. The courthouse provides computerized public access terminals where interested persons may search for court records using details of the case.
Topeka court records are requestable in person or by mail. To obtain a copy by mail, fill the KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) Request form with a detailed description of the desired record. Include the requestor's full name and contact details, such as an address, daytime phone number, and fax number. Each mail request costs a $20 Research and Copy Fee, paid in advance. Extra per-page copy fees may apply. Send the completed KORA form to:
Clerk of the District Court
Shawnee County Courthouse
200 SE 7th Room 209
Topeka, KS 66603
Persons may also visit the courthouse to request copies in person. Requestors may find desired records using the public terminals and have them printed. The printed documents may then be purchased at the cashier's window. Purchasing the record requires submitting the completed KORA form and paying applicable copy fees.
What are Topeka Vital Records?
Topeka vital records contain information on life events, recorded by government entities in the city. Vital records carry details of events such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Interested persons may request vital records from the Shawnee County District Court and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. While access to vital records is restricted at the state level, some records are considered public at the county district court level.
Where and How to Obtain Topeka Divorce Records
Interested persons may obtain copies of Topeka divorce decrees and divorce certificates. The divorce decree is a court document with details of the court's final judgment and settlement specifics and is only obtainable from the Probate Department of the Shawnee County District Court. An interested party may either visit the court in person or send a written request to the courthouse. The request should contain information such as the names of the divorced parties, divorce dates, and known details of the court's final judgment. Records are available for divorces finalized since 1900. Send the request to:
Shawnee County Clerk District Court
Probate Department
200 SE 7th Street
Room 209
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 2330-8200 extension 5156
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Topeka
The Shawnee County Clerk's Office provides access to records of all marriages in the county. Anyone interested in obtaining a Topeka marriage record may send a written request to the clerk's office or visit in person. Ensure that the written request contains the married parties' names, the marriage date, venue, and other known details. To order a Topeka marriage record from 1856 to the present, requesters must visit or mail an application to the Probate Department of the District Court:
Shawnee County Clerk of District
Probate Department
200 SE 7th Street
Room 209
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 2330-8200 extension 5156
Residents may also obtain copies of marriage records from 1856 to 1906. Send a written request or visit:
Shawnee County Clerk's Office
Shawnee County Courthouse
200 SE 7th Street
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 233-8200 extension 4625
Where and How to Find Topeka Birth Records
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment maintains records of all births in the state and issues copies to requestors. However, birth records are not public. Access is restricted to the person named on the record and any of the following:
- Parent or grandparent
- Sibling
- Child
- Legal guardian
- Current spouse
- Uncle or aunty
Each birth certificate costs $15 and covers a five-year search. The search period includes two years before or after the indicated year. A subsequent search outside the five-year frame will cost an extra $15. The fee is payable by check or money order made out to "Kansas Vital Statistics". All fees are nonrefundable. To order a Topeka birth certificate, complete a birth certificate request form in English or Spanish. Enclose the certificate with payment and a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable IDs include:
- Driver's license
- State ID card
- Passport or visa
- Military ID
Persons without any of the above IDs may use any two of the following:
- Social security number
- Car title or registration with current address
- Any utility bill with current address
- A bank statement with current address
- A pay stub that carries the requestor's name, social security number, and the name and address of the business
Visit or send the documents to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
For older Topeka birth records from 1894 to 1911, send a written request to the Shawnee County Clerk's Office or visit in person:
Shawnee County Clerk's Office
Shawnee County Courthouse
200 SE 7th Street
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 233-8200 extension 4625
Where and How to Find Topeka Death Records
Copies of Topeka death records are requestable from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. However, access is restricted to requestors related to the deceased person in any of the following ways:
- Parent or grandparent
- Current spouse
- Child
- Sibling
- Uncle or aunty
- Legal guardian
Certificates are available for births since July 1, 1911. Eligible persons may send completed copies of the death certificate request form in English or Spanish. Each request costs $15 payable by money order or checks to "Kansas Vital Statistics." Send the form with payment and a government-issued ID to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
For Topeka death records from 1894 to 1911, contact:
Shawnee County Clerk's Office
Shawnee County Courthouse
200 SE 7th Street
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 233-8200 extension 4625
