The Kansas Open Records Act in Johnson County
The Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., is the base law for public records in Kansas. It says the public can inspect and obtain copies of public records that an agency keeps, unless a record is exempt. Johnson County District Court explains that KORA allows access, but not all court records fall under it, and some are closed.
For court records, the Court Administrator serves as the Freedom of Information Officer. A requester is legally entitled to a response within three business days, which may grant the request, deny it, or say more time is needed. The KORA article index lists the statutes that set this framework. Public records over 70 years old are generally open unless another law or rule restricts them.
Read the framework at the Kansas Open Records Act article index.
How to File a Public Records Request
Filing a request is straightforward once you know the custodian. For court records, the request goes to Records Management or, for broader open-record and audio requests, to the Court Administrator. Call for a price quote before you submit a copy request.
- Identify the record and the office that keeps it.
- Gather case numbers, names, or dates to help staff find the record.
- Submit the request online, in person, by mail, or by fax to the right office.
- Pay any fee by an accepted method; payment is not accepted by email.
- Expect a KORA response within three business days for court-record requests.
For court-record copies specifically, see the steps on the Johnson County court records page.
Public Records Request Fields
A records request needs enough detail for staff to find the record and reach you with a quote or a response. The fields below cover what a typical request includes, though exact form fields vary by office.
| Field | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record requested | Text | Yes | Case number, name, or record description |
| Requester contact | Text / email / phone | Yes | Needed for a quote and response |
| Date range | Date | Helpful | Narrows the search |
| Payment | Card / check / cash | If a fee applies | Not accepted by email |
Note: A requester is entitled to a response within three business days under KORA for court records.
KORA Fees
Fees cover staff time and copies. Viewing records at a courthouse terminal is free when no copies are made. The Court Administrator may charge a reasonable fee, and payment must be received before records are released.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public record copies (court, KORA) | Up to $0.50 per page plus staff time |
| Audio of a hearing | $50 per hearing, up to one day |
| Pre-1980 case search | $12.00 pre-payment |
| Register of Deeds copies | $0.25 per page |
| Deed recording | $21 first page, $17 each additional page |
Note: Card payments made by fax or in person carry a $4.95 processing fee at the court.
Court Records vs. Other County Records
The District Court clerk does not hold every public record. Records Management is clear about what it does not provide, which prevents a wasted trip. Land records, property tax data, vital records, and bankruptcy cases all live with other offices.
Where to go instead:
Arrest records and police reports: the arresting or responding agency.
Background checks: KBI at 785-296-8200 or the FBI at 816-512-8200.
Birth, marriage, and death certificates: Kansas Office of Vital Statistics at 785-296-1400.
Deeds and property tax records: Records and Tax Administration at 913-715-0775.
Land Records and the Register of Deeds
Deeds, releases of mortgage, military discharges, and land documents are kept by the county's Register of Deeds under Treasury, Taxation and Vehicles, not by the court. Property ownership comes from land records and maps, not court files. Court civil records, on the other hand, do hold liens like mechanic's liens and state tax liens.
That distinction matters for a public-records search. If you want a deed, go to the Register of Deeds. If you want a judgment or a court lien, search the District Court civil records. Documents can be recorded in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording vendor, but not by email or fax.
Sheriff Public Databases
The Sheriff runs several public databases that count as public records. The offender search links to a registered offender map, and the Sheriff also publishes inmate, booking, and warrant tools. The offender map searches by address, name, or city and is updated daily, with offense categories shown for sex, violent, drug, and non-compliant entries.
The Sheriff's offender search page links to the registered offender map.
The local map plots registered offenders across the county.
The registered offender map offers address, name, and city searches.
The statewide version is the Kansas Bureau of Investigation registry, which pairs with the local map.
Use the KBI registered offender registry for a statewide search.
Federal Public Records
Some records are federal, not county. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas, and Records Management directs people there for bankruptcy files. Federal appeals from Kansas go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas handles bankruptcy records.
Appeals run through the Tenth Circuit.
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals hears federal appeals from Kansas.
Vital Records and County Archives
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certifications come from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, not the court clerk. The county also runs Archives and Records Management, which keeps historic documents in a research room open by appointment. The Archives holds older marriage records, tax rolls, and inventory and appraisement records.
Archives copies are $0.25 per page, and staff search indexed records for up to 30 minutes per request before an hourly fee applies. The Archives cannot do detailed genealogy work or transcribe documents, so bring clear identifying details. For certified marriage records, see the marriage and divorce records page.
Statute Quick Reference
A few Kansas statutes shape what is open and what is closed. They sit under the Kansas Open Records Act and the court access rules.
| Statute | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. | The Kansas Open Records Act framework |
| K.S.A. 45-219 | Fees an agency may charge for copies and staff time |
| K.S.A. 45-221 | Records that are exempt from open access |
| K.S.A. 45-222 | Enforcement when a request is wrongly denied |
Note: If a public-records request is wrongly denied, requesters may seek review and can contact the Kansas Attorney General.