What Are Kansas Public Records?
Kansas public records are written, photographic, or computerized information on the conduct and actions of public bodies with jurisdiction in the city. These are non-confidential documents that do not have statutory restrictions on public access and exemptions on disclosure. Example of exempted information include:
- Criminal investigation records
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Records closed by rules of evidence
- Information subject to attorney-client privilege
- Medical treatment records
- Personnel information on public employees
- Other records exempted by law, court order, or a court ruling
Kansas Crime Statistics
According to the 2019 crime index report provided by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas City Police Department had 8,569 indexed offenses and a crime rate of 55.8 per 1,000 residents. Crimes were broken down into violent crimes and property crimes, with the former having 1,084 recorded offenses, while the latter had 7,488 incidents. Violent crimes consisted of 35 murders, 96 rapes, 232 robberies, and 721 aggravated assaults, while property crimes had one arson, 1,222 MVTs, 1,475 burglaries, and 4,788 thefts recorded. Compared to the 2018 crime index report, the total indexed crimes fell by 3.4%, with violent crimes reduced by 5.4% and property crimes by 4.5%.
Are Kansas Criminal Records Public?
Not all Kansas criminal records are publicly available. Although individuals, companies, and organizations can obtain information on arrest and disposition from local and state-run depositories, the extent of data disclosed may depend on the custodian, requester's authorization, and type of search done. For instance, criminal history reports obtained from the Kansas City Police Department may provide information on citywide convictions, and searches done by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation may include statewide felony and misdemeanor convictions as well as arrests within a year. However, juvenile offender records, expunged records, information on arrests that took place over a year earlier or with dismissed charges, and information on completed diversions are unavailable to the public.
Kansas criminal records may be certified or just abstract rap sheets. The KBI does certify name-based and fingerprint-based records checks for $30 and $45, respectively, while regular name-based and fingerprint-based checks cost $20 and $35. Personal records check also cost $35. However, the KCKPD charges $10 per check.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Kansas City Police Department (KCKPD) generates and maintains police reports for violations and incidents that happen within its jurisdiction. Individuals may obtain copies of local offense and accident reports, driving reports, community crime map, and related information from the Records Unit of the KCKPD by making requests at the lobby of the police headquarters at:
Police Records Unit
700 Minnesota Avenue
Phone: (913) 573-6000
However, individuals who wish to obtain Kansas arrest records may obtain them from the KCKPD, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, and contained within the criminal history reports obtained from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The KCKPD charges $10 for a criminal history report, $6 for driving records, and no charge for the first five pages of offense and accident reports.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kansas
Interested persons can obtain information on convicted sex offenders who are residing in Kansas City by searching the public offender registry maintained by the Kansas Bureau of Investigations. Individuals can get a listing of offenders in the city or a specific location by conducting a geological search on the website, while information on a known offender may be retrievable by using the name search tool. Another search category includes searching by phone or online identity (email or Facebook address). The rap sheets of each sex offender result will contain available information on:
- Full name and aliases
- Date of birth, gender, and race
- Mugshot
- Physical description and body markings
- Primary address and other addresses
- Offense(s) description
- Offender registration details
- Vehicle and boat information (if any)
How to Find Kansas Inmate Records
The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining information on past and current inmates in the Wyandotte County Detention Center. Individuals may access inmate records of past detainees by using the detention center online application or search for current inmates with the inmate lookup tool. Information that may be available on the sites includes names, charges, physical description, mugshot, bonds, incarceration information, and case/disposition details, and so on. For additional information, contact the Sheriff's Office at:
710 North 7th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-4120 (Records)
Phone: (913) 573-2865 (Adult detention)
Phone: (913) 573-2900 (Juvenile detention)
Fax: (913) 573-2802
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Kansas City Jail?
Family, friends, and others who wish to visit an individual detained in the Wyandotte County Detention Center must first schedule contact or video visits according to the inmate's visitation schedule. Individuals may call (913) 573-4120 to confirm the schedule and arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand for processing. For further information, contact the Sheriff's Office at:
710 North 7th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-4120 (Records)
Phone: (913) 573-2865 (Adult detention)
Phone: (913) 573-2900 (Juvenile detention)
Fax: (913) 573-2802
Court Records
Kansas court records are documentation of judicial proceedings and administrative procedures of courts located in the city. These include written, photographic, audio/videotaped, or computerized materials that are available and issued by the court to provide information on civil, traffic, criminal, probate, and juvenile cases filed in the court. Examples of these records include dockets, written transcripts, decrees, affidavits, and so on.
Locations of Courts in Kansas
Wyandotte County District Court
710 North 7th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-2901
Fax: (913) 573-4134
Kansas City Municipal Court
City Hall
701 North 7th Street,
Suite 232,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-5200
Fax: (913) 573-5210
Are Kansas Court Records Public?
Not all court records are public in Kansas City. Although the Kansas Open Records Act makes non-confidential court records accessible, there are limitations on the disclosure of juvenile records, adoption records, sealed or expunged records, grand jury proceedings, and other confidential files.
Can You Look Up a Kansas Court Case Online?
Members of the public can search for court case information using the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. Cases from July 2004 can be found with the Record Search Application. Persons may look up the case online by using a record number or name of parties in last, first, middle, and suffix format. Users may also filter results by location, case number, attorney bar number, citation number, business name, and other party details. However, not all information is available online. Residents may have to make requests via mail or in person.
How to Obtain Kansas Civil Court Case Records
Interested persons may search for civil case records that happened in a Kansas City court by using the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. Residents can also look up the case online by using a record number or name of parties in last, first, middle, and suffix format. Users may filter results by location, case number, attorney bar number, citation number, business name, and other party details. However, not all information is available online. Interested persons may have to make requests via mail or in person, using the above-mentioned details. Obtaining copies of Kansas civil court case records requires visiting the clerk of the court in person or mailing request letters, which include specific record/case descriptions, fees (when required), or even presenting valid identification.
How to Obtain Kansas Criminal Court Records
Interested persons may search for criminal case records that happened in a Kansas City court by using the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal or cases from July 2004 with the Record Search Application. Persons may look up the case online by using a record number or name of parties in last, first, middle, and suffix format. Users may also filter results by location, case number, attorney bar number, citation number, business name, and other party details.
However, not all information is available online, and interested persons may have to make requests via mail or in person, using the above-mentioned details. Obtaining copies of Kansas criminal court case records requires visiting the clerk of the court in person or mailing request letters, which includes specific record/case descriptions, fees (when required), or even presenting valid identification.
What Are Kansas Vital Records?
Kansas vital records are government-issued documents that confirm that certain life events happened to individuals under the city's jurisdiction. These include documents that contain information on births, divorces, deaths, marriages, adoptions, and other significant events. Most of Kansas vital records are not under the public records and require legitimate claims, relationship, or authorization before the custodian will provide the document.
Where and How to Obtain Kansas Divorce Records
Like Kansas court records, records of divorces and annulments granted by the Wyandotte County District Court are available at the Office of the Clerk of District Court. Individuals may obtain copies of the Kansas divorce records by providing record descriptions, fees, and copy of valid photo identification to the office in person, or via mailed letters to:
Wyandotte County District Court
710 North 7th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-2901
Fax: (913) 573-4134
Individuals may also obtain certified copies of divorce certificates since July 1951 from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics by submitting or mailing request forms, $15 per copy, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a copy of photo identification to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Members of the public without valid claims may be unable to obtain certified copies of Kansas divorce decrees or certificates, especially the sensitive information contained within. However, the divorce parties, children, closed relatives, and other authorized persons may access these records.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Kansas
Confidential Kansas marriage records filed since May 1, 1913, are available at the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics who issues certified copies to individuals with the spouses, their close relatives, and others with tangible claims or interests. Submit or mail request forms, $15 per copy, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and copy of photo identification to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Confidential records of marriages licensed by the Wyandotte County District Court are also available at the Office of the Clerk of District Court. Eligible parties may obtain copies of the Kansas marriage certificate by providing record descriptions, fees, and copy of valid photo identification to the office in person, or via mailed letters to:
Wyandotte County District Court
710 North 7th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-2901
Fax: (913) 573-4134
Where and How to Get Public Kansas Marriage Records
The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics maintains Kansas marriage certificates filed since May 1, 1913. However, access to these records is strictly for eligible individuals like spouses, their close relatives, and others with tangible claims or interests. Therefore, individuals interested in obtaining public Kansas marriage records may direct requests to the Office of the Clerk of District Court that granted the marriage license.
Individuals may obtain copies of the records by providing record descriptions, fees, and copy of valid photo identification to the office in person, or via mailed letters to:
Wyandotte County District Court
710 North 7th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-2901
Fax: (913) 573-4134
Where and How to Find Kansas Birth Records
Kansas birth records dating back to 1860 are available at the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics who issues certified copies to individuals with the adult registrant, close relatives, and others with tangible claims or interests. Qualified persons interested in getting Kansas birth certificates should submit or mail request forms, $15 per copy, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a copy of photo identification to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Where and How to Find Kansas Death Records
The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics maintains Kansas death records since July 1, 1911, and issues certified copies to individuals with legitimate claims and interests like the deceased's spouse, direct descendants, close relatives, and other authorized persons. Eligible parties should submit or mail request forms, $15 per copy, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a copy of photo identification to:
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
