Kansas Civil Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Kansas Civil Court Records

In Kansas, different levels of courts handle different kinds of cases. The Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and the District Courts comprise Kansas' unified judicial system.

The Kansas Supreme Court leads the state's court system with six justices and a chief justice.

The state court system includes the Court of Appeals, an intermediate appeals court. It handles appeals from the District Courts in civil and criminal cases unless the Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the appeal.

District Courts, on the other hand, are the state's trial courts with authority over all civil proceedings.

In addition to these courts, Kansas also contains Municipal Courts. This court handles city ordinance infractions inside the city, municipality, or town and has limited authority.

Do you have access to Kansas Civil Court Records? Unless otherwise prohibited by law, you can access and copy civil court records in this state under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA).

However, this state does not publicly release civil court documents like adoption, expunged cases, and juvenile records.

What Are Kansas Bankruptcy Records?

In Kansas, bankruptcy is a judicial process that people, businesses, and other groups can use to eliminate all or some of their debts.

The three bankruptcy courts in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City handle bankruptcy cases in this state.

Following a bankruptcy filing in this county, the resulting information will become part of the Kansas Bankruptcy Records.

Similar to other states, the three most often utilized chapters of bankruptcy legislation in Kansas are as follows:

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

This sort of bankruptcy, also known as reorganization bankruptcy, allows debtors to create a fair repayment plan. That way, they can stay in business rather than close or liquidate.

Following the development of a repayment plan, debtors will pay payments to clear their debts over a court-approved time.

In Kansas, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy will remain on a debtor's credit report for ten years.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Kansas, often known as liquidation bankruptcy, permits debtors to liquidate their property to pay off their liabilities.

In this type of bankruptcy, the court of jurisdiction will appoint a trustee to sell the debtor's properties and allocate the funds to creditors.

If you apply for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in this state, your income must be below the Kansas median. Note, however, that not all debts are dischargeable in this bankruptcy, including the following:

  • Debts from personal injuries
  • Court costs and fines
  • Student loans

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

This type of bankruptcy in Kansas, known as the Wage Earner Plan, permits debtors to create a repayment plan instead of liquidating their assets.

It's comparable to Chapter 11, but only stable-income people can apply.

In this state, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stay on a person's credit report for up to seven years.

In addition to these chapters, Chapter 9, Chapter 12, and Chapter 15 are available in Kansas. You can file for any of the following if you meet the requirements.

How To Find Kansas Bankruptcy Records?

You can get certified bankruptcy records in Kansas through the bankruptcy court clerk's office. You can also send the United States Bankruptcy Court clerk for the District of Kansas a written request.

When you make a request, you must identify the bankruptcy record in question by giving the case name, filing date, case number, and record title.

Mailing the clerk's office should also contain your name, address, and phone number in case the clerk needs more information.

In addition, transcripts of court proceedings are available from the court. To get official transcripts from the court, you will need to fill out an AO 435 form.

There are also $32 audio and CD files available. To get these recordings, you must fill out an AO 436 form and mail or deliver it to the court clerk's office that handled the matter.

Furthermore, you can obtain bankruptcy records online through the Public Access To Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.

The information in bankruptcy records files can vary. Nonetheless, a typical Kansas Bankruptcy Record contains the following information:

  • Names of the people involved
  • Case number
  • Summary of assets and debts
  • The case's judge
  • Debtor's petition
  • Filing dates

What Are Kansas Property Lien Records?

In Kansas Civil Court Records, you can also expect lien property. These are claims creditors have over a debtor's assets to secure payment or compliance with a debt.

By putting a lien on a property, the owner becomes the lienee, and the person who placed the lien becomes the lienor or lienholder.

In Kansas, the most common types of property lien records are:

Judgment Lien

Civil cases in Kansas involve this form of a lien. The court may place the judgment lien on the debtor's property investment or private possessions in this state.

Kansas judgment liens expire five years after judgment. However, lienholders can renew the decision by refiling in District Court.

Mortgage Lien

This lien occurs when someone takes out a mortgage loan to buy or refinance a home. If the real estate owner doesn't pay the mortgage on time, the lienholder can appeal in District Court.

In this situation, the court may allow the lienholder to sell the property and reclaim the proceeds. However, the lienholder should inform the owner of their intent to sell within ten business days.

UCC Lien

A UCC lien on a debtor's property assures loan repayment in Kansas. Under state UCC legislation, this lien involves creditor-debtor interactions.

If you wish to record this form of lien in Kansas, you may do so with the Kansas Secretary of State.

In addition to judgment, mortgage, and UCC liens, Kansas Property Lien Records also includes tax and mechanic's liens.

How To Check Kansas Property Lien Records?

Unlike other states, there is no central repository for property lien records in Kansas since multiple government organizations record various liens.

But if you're looking for property lien records in this state, the district court clerk's office is a great place to start.

Typically, the clerk's offices keep records of the liens filed against real and personal property throughout the state. So, if you want to see these records, you can go to the clerk's office that handled the case.

Moreover, the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDR) also keeps records of vehicle liens and title information through the Kansas E-lien system.

What Are Kansas Civil Driving Violation Records?

Infractions are a common name for civil driving violation records in Kansas. These minor offenses are not crimes by legal definition.

The following are examples of Kansas Civil Driving Violation Records:

  • Unlawful parking in front of the statehouse
  • Defective headlights
  • Exceeding the maximum speed limit
  • Driving on sidewalk
  • Traffic signal violation
  • Starting a stopped car in a dangerous way
  • Driving on the left part of the road

In Kansas, these violations do not lead to jail or prison time. Instead, it attracts non-incarceration consequences such as penalties, community service, and driver's education programs.

How To Look Up Kansas Civil Driving Violation Records?

In Kansas, there are three ways to find civil driving violation records: in-person, by mail, or online.

The Driver Control Bureau (DCB) of KDR manages these records.

To get to your records in person, you must fill out a Kansas State request form and bring it to any Kansas Department of Motor Vehicle office.

These records are also accessible via postal mail. To get civil driving violation records by mail, you still must fill out the same request form the state gives you and send it to DCB.

Also, you can get copies of these records online by going to the Kansas Motor Vehicle Records website. On this website, you will need to give the information asked for to get a digital copy of these records.

What Are Kansas Legal Judgment Records?

The Kansas Legal Judgment Records document the outcome of a matter determined by a Kansas court with competent authority.

In this state, a judgment is a rule or a court's declaration of constitutional rights based on state laws. The issuance of this judgment typically ends a criminal or civil case unless a party challenges the ruling to a higher court.

Chapter 60, Article 2: Rules of Civil Procedure describes the legal methods creditors must follow to recover judgments in Kansas. This statute also regulates the issuance of decisions within the state.

How To Look Up Kansas Legal Judgment Records?

The judiciary of this state has established user-friendly procedures for searching legal judgment records.

In this state, you can go to the courthouse or the court clerk's office to look at and get copies of your legal judgment records.

If you wish to access these records remotely, use the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. On this system, you only need to know the party's name and the case number.

Also, the government of this state offers the Kansas District Court Records Search on its official website. For a $1.50 fee, you can use this search tool to look up Kansas Legal Judgment Records.

When you receive these records, you can expect to find the following:

  • The names of the parties
  • Case description
  • The name of the judge
  • Court decision
  • Judgment date

What Are Kansas Small Claims Records?

Small Claims Records is also a part of Kansas Civil Court Records.

Small claims are lawsuits worth less than $4,000 against individuals, businesses, or organizations. In this state, the Small Claims Courts handle most small claim cases.

Typical claims filed in Kansas Small Claims Court are:

  • Security deposit disagreements
  • Claims for personal injuries
  • Unauthorized foreclosures
  • Contract breaches between business partners
  • Loan defaults
  • Owner negligence claims for poor car repairs

In Kansas, anyone can file a small claims case. But people under 18 must have an adult represent them.

To file a small claims case in this state, you must apply with the district court clerk of the county in which you, the defendant, or the business lies.

After filing, the proceedings transcripts and other pertinent information will become part of the Kansas Small Claims Records.

How To Look Up Kansas Small Claims Records?

To view and obtain copies of small claims records in Kansas, visit the District Court Clerk's Office that handled the case. In these courthouses, you can utilize a computer installed in each courtroom to do open searches of court records.

You can also acquire small claims records in this state via Kansas District Court Public Access Portal.

What Are Kansas Divorce Court Records?

Kansas Divorce Court Records are the legal documentation of the dissolution of marriages completed by state courts.

Before filing for a divorce in Kansas, each partner must have lived in the state for 60 days.

To learn more about divorce in Kansas, you can look at this information on divorce and common-law marriage. You can also check this manual if you want to file for a divorce without the aid of an attorney.

Similar to other states, you will encounter three categories of Kansas Divorce Court Records, and these are:

Divorce Certificate

In Kansas, a divorce certificate is proof that a marriage is over. It is an essential document by the Office of Vital Statistics of the state's Department of Health and Environment.

It gives the following information about a divorce agreement:

  • Names of divorcees
  • Divorce date
  • Divorce county

In this state, only divorced people can acquire a verified divorce certificate, although anyone can access it online.

Divorce Decree

The divorce decree contains more information than the divorce certificate. This type of divorce court record represents the court's final decision and concludes the divorce procedure.

In addition to proving the dissolution of the marriage, a divorce decree gives the following divorce agreement details:

  • Distribution of assets and debts
  • Spousal support
  • Rights to custody and visitation plans
  • Child support

In Kansas, only the two people who got divorced and their lawyers have access to the divorce decree.

Divorce Record

In addition to the details contained in the divorce decree and certificate, divorce records also include the following:

  • Transcripts
  • Orders
  • Motions
  • Assessments
  • Summons

Unlike the divorce certificate and decree, these Kansas Divorce Court Records are more accessible to the public.

How To Look Up Kansas Divorce Court Records?

In general, the Kansas District Courts that granted the divorce kept and disseminated divorce court records in this state.

In this state, some Kansas courts accept requests in person, by mail, or online. However, some only support one or two of these request methods, while others support all three.

If you want to request a person, you can go to the Office of the District Court Clerk that heard the case.

To get copies of these records, you must fill out a Request Form for Court Records and send it to the court. You must also have a photo ID from the government and pay the fee.

On the Kansas Judicial Branch website, you can look at the District Court Contact Listing Page to find the physical and mailing addresses of the District Court Clerk of interest.

Aside from these methods, you can also find these records online. In this state, the 3rd Judicial District, the 10th Judicial District, and the 18th Judicial District have websites where people can see limited information about divorce records.

What Are Kansas Probate Court Records?

Kansas probate is the court-supervised process of certifying a will, settling debts and taxes, and transferring assets to heirs.

In this state, among the probate matters are:

  • Estates
  • Ownership of the decedent's assets as tenants in common
  • High-value possessions
  • Trust
  • Accounts without transferability or payable on death

The District Court where the departed person lived or had property oversees all probate proceedings in Kansas.

By going to the US District Court of Kansas webpage, you may determine which district court you should use to file a petition for probate in this state.

Also, this state has its laws about probate. This law spells out all of the probate's responsibilities and requirements and how the process goes.

How To Look Up Civil Court Cases in Kansas?

There are various ways to find Kansas Civil Court Records.

Civil court record keepers in Kansas maintain court documents in electronic and paper formats. In the Kansas court system, Clerks of Courts are in charge of keeping these records.

You can get a paper copy of these records at the local courthouse or an electronic copy by going to the courthouse and using a public access terminal.

You can also utilize the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration (KOJA) for a small fee. This gateway provides access to the Kansas District Court case records database.

But if you want to search for free records, you can use the Kansas eCourt Public Access Portal. It uses the centralized case management system to give case information through some of its districts.