About Public Records in Kansas

• General Jurisdiction / Upper Courts


• District Courts - 31 districts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - all civil and small claims cases.
• Domestic relations.
• Criminal felony, drunk driving and misdemeanor.
• Traffic.
• Juvenile.
• Preliminary hearings.


• Limited Jurisdiction / Lower Courts


• Municipal Courts - 375 courts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Traffic, ordinance, parking, and drunk driving.

Kansas real and personal property tax records are kept by the Tax Appraiser’s Office in each county.
 

Kansas deeds and general document recording are handled by the Register of Deeds Office in each county. Records kept include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, and liens.

The Office of Vital Statistics receives and preserves vital records for events (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) which occur in Kansas. The Office maintains more than 10 million vital records, adding approximately 100,000 new records annually. Over 360,000 certified copies of these records are issued to eligible requestors annually. The records maintained by this office are necessary for individuals to carry out day-to-day business such as obtaining passports, enrolling in schools, sports participation, starting new jobs, qualifying for subsidized housing, collecting life insurance benefits, and transferring property.