KANSAS PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Kansas Public Records?

Pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Act, Kansas public records are any record or document, either written or electronically stored, that is generated and maintained by any public governmental body. Some Kansas records are not available for public disclosure or access to the general public. Record custodians may also limit access to certain persons who meet specific eligibility requirements. Examples of exempted records include:

• Internal letters or memoranda relating to a public governmental body comprising advice, opinions, and recommendations in connection with a decision-making process, unless the record is retained by the body or presented at a public meeting
• Private information that constitutes an infringement of personal privacy
• Information about pending litigation
• Information or documents connected to an ongoing law enforcement investigation
• Confidential information
• Taxpayer information and private financial data

Kansas Crime Statistics

The Kansas City Police Department collates crime reports for Kansas City on a yearly basis. In 2019, it showed that there were 13,218 crimes reported in the city. This includes 7,024 violent crimes and 9,215 violent crimes. The violent crimes include 150 murders, 209 rapes, 1,440 robberies, and 5,225 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 3,064 burglaries, 2,184 larcenies, 3,807 motor vehicle thefts, and 160 arson cases.

When compared with the report of 2015, the 2019 report is considered a significant reduction in crime rate within the city. There was a decline in six of eight major crimes reported. Rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson rates declined by 42%, 15%, 37%, 82%, 2%, and 19%. There was an increase in murder (36%) and aggravated assault (15%) rates.

Are Kansas Criminal Records Public?

Kansas criminal records are public records available and accessible to interested persons upon request. Persons arrested or detained by the Kansas City Police Department can approach the police department to obtain their own criminal records. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office provides the general public with copies of criminal records. At the state level, the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol compiles, maintains, and issues records of criminal history and incidents.

How to Obtain Kansas Police Reports and Arrest Records?

The Kansas City Police Department is the agency in charge of Kansas arrest records and police reports. The police department provides an online General Public Records Request form to enable interested persons to request records related to public safety in its custody.

Kansas arrest records and police reports are also available through in-person and mail requests. To make an in-person request, the requester should call (816) 234-5100 to check the availability of the report of interest. Call that number to obtain the case number of a report (if needed). Then visit any of the six patrol divisions of the Kansas City Police Department with a valid photo ID:

Central Patrol Division Station
1200 East Linwood
Kansas City, MO 64109
Phone: (816) 234-5510

East Patrol Division Station
2640 Prospect
Kansas City, MO 64127
Phone: (816) 234-5530

Metro Patrol Division
7601 Prospect
Kansas City, MO 64132
Phone: (816) 581-0700

North Patrol Division
11000 North West Prairie View Road
Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: (816) 437-6200

Shoal Creek Patrol Division
6801 North East Pleasant Valley Road
Kansas City, MO 64119
Phone: (816) 413-3400

South Patrol Division Station
9701 Marion Park Drive
Kansas City, MO 64137
Phone: (816) 234-5550

To make a mail request, write a request for copies of the report. Include payment with a check to the “Board of Police Commissioners” and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to:

Kansas City Missouri Police Department
Attn: Records Section/Mail Desk
1125 Locust
Kansas City, MO 64106

Mail requests take six to eight weeks to process. The police department also provides traffic crash reports online at $9 per copy.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kansas?

The CJIS Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol registers and maintain information about sex offenders residing in Missouri. It provides the public with online access to sex offender information through the Missouri Sex Offender Registry. Kansas City residents can search the registry to identify the areas where sex offenders residing in their neighborhoods. The CJIS Division also provides sex offender information when an interested person calls the toll-free number for sex offender information 1-888-SOR-MSHP (767-6747) or views the entire Missouri Sex Offender Registry.

How to Find Kansas Inmate Records?

Persons arrested by the Kansas City Police Department are held at a Patrol Division Detention Unit. To obtain information about these persons, contact the Patrol Division Detention Unit where they are held. Residents can call (816) 234-5180 or visit one of the three KCPD detention units below:

South Patrol Detention
9701 Marion Park Drive
Phone: (816) 234-5550

East Patrol Detention
2640 Prospect Avenue
Phone: (816) 482-8533

Shoal Creek Patrol Detention
6801 North East Pleasant Valley Road
Phone: (816) 413-3400

Kansas inmates are kept in three major jail facilities: the Jackson County Detention Center, Johnson County Jail, and Vernon County Jail. Information about inmates held at any of these jail facilities is available from the Missouri Department of Corrections. It provides an online search tool to help the general public search for information about inmates in detention or correctional facilities. Users can use the Inmate Search feature to search the jail by name, race, and sex.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Kansas Jail?

Inmate visitation available at the Jackson County Detention Center is conducted via video visitation and on-site visitation. Video visitors must schedule their visits on the video visitation site. Video visits take place from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

On-site visitors can call the visitation information number to obtain information about on-site visits. Visiting days are from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Jackson County Detention Center is located at:

Jackson County Detention Center
1300 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Main Number: (816) 881-4200
Visitation Information: (816) 881-4236

Inmate visitation at the Johnson County Jail takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Visitation is done between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Prospective visitors are to schedule their visit at least five days before visiting. To schedule a visit, call (660) 747-6469 on Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Johnson County Jail is located at:

Johnson County Jail
278 South West 871
Centerview, MO 64019

Inmate visiting days are Monday to Friday, between 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors are to schedule visits. Inmate visitation takes place via video kiosk from the lobby visitation room for free. To obtain more information about inmate visitation, call the Jail Control Center. The Vernon County Jail is located at:

Vernon County Jail
2040 East Hunter
Nevada, MO 64772
Phone: (417) 283-4400
Jail Control Center: (417) 283-4411
Fax: (417) 448-2580

Court Records

Jackson County is the 16th Circuit Court of Missouri Courts. It has four Circuit Court branches. The county also has 15 Municipal Courts. The courts handle civil, criminal, small claims, domestic, and probate cases. It also provides records of the courts to interested members of the public.

Location of Courts in Kansas

Jackson County Circuit Courts
Jackson County Circuit Court
Kansas City Courthouse
415 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 881-3000

Jackson County Circuit Court
Independence Courthouse Annex
308 West Kansas
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 881-4400

Jackson County Circuit Court
Albert Riederer Community Justice Complex
1315 Locust
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 881-4350

Jackson County Circuit Court
Family Justice Center
625 East 26th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: (816) 474-3606

Jackson County Municipal Courts
Blue Springs Municipal Court
1100 SouthWest Smith Street
Blue Springs, MO 64015
Phone: (816) 228-0175
Fax: (816) 228-0229

Buckner Municipal Court
315 South Hudson Street
Buckner, MO 64016
Phone: (816) 650-3191, extension 4

Grain Valley Municipal Court
711 Main Street
Grain Valley, MO 64029
Phone: (816) 847-6240
Fax: (816) 847-6209

Grandview Municipal Court
1200 Main Street
Grandview, MO 64030
Phone: (816) 316-4837
Fax: (816) 316-4876

Greenwood Municipal Court
709 West Main Street
Greenwood, MO 64034
Phone: (816) 537-6969, extension 103
Fax: (816) 537-7461

Independence Municipal Court
City Hall
111 East Maple Avenue
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 325-7230

Jackson County Municipal Court
308 West Kansas
Suite 142
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 881-1697

Kansas City Municipal Court
511 East 11th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 513-2700
Fax: (816) 513-6782

Lake Lotawana Municipal Court
100 Lake Lotawana Drive
Lake Lotawana, MO 64086
Phone: (816) 578-2298
Fax: (816) 578-4035

Lake Tapawingo Municipal Division
Kansas City Courthouse
415 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 881-3000

Lee’s Summit Municipal Division
10 NorthEast Tudor Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
Phone: (816) 969-1150
Fax: (816) 969-1155

Lone Jack Municipal Court
207 North Bynum Road
Lone Jack, MO 64070
Phone: (816) 697-2911, extension 1
Fax: (816) 697-8841

Oak Grove Municipal Court
2100 South Broadway
Oak Grove, MO 64075
Phone: (816) 690-3773, extension 1501
Fax: (816) 690-6823

Raytown Municipal Court
10000 East 59th Street
Raytown, MO 64133
Phone: (816) 737-6008
Fax: (816) 737-7000

Sugar Creek Municipal Division
1001 Heroes Way
Sugar Creek, MO 64054
Phone: (816) 521-7923, extension 1286
Fax: (816) 461-3493

Can you look up a Kansas Court case online?

The Missouri Courts provides an online case search portal that helps interested persons search information about cases handled by Missouri Courts. Users can search this portal by the litigant’s name, filing date, case number, or judgment index. The portal provides informational help links to help new users easily navigate it and obtain the information they need.

How to Obtain Kansas Civil Court Case Records?

The Department of Civil Records of the Jackson Circuit Court maintains civil court records. They provide in-person and mail services to persons interested in obtaining copies of records. To obtain a copy of a Kansas civil case record, fill out the Copy Request Form. Provide all the required information and include payment. Submit them to any of the two locations below:

Kansas City Office
Department of Civil Records
Attn: Copy Desk
415 East 12th Street
Suite 305
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 881-3913

Independence Office
Department of Civil Records
Attn: Copy Desk
308 West Kansas
Suite 107
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 881-1710

Each court record costs 30 cents per page. There is an additional $4 for persons that are interested in certification. The payment is per document plus the copy fee. Authentication fee $6 per document plus copy fee.

How to Obtain Kansas Criminal Court Records?

The Department of Criminal Records of the Jackson County Circuit Court maintains Jackson County traffic and criminal records. They include records of traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. To obtain copies of Kansa criminal court records, fill out the General Copy Request Form. Submit the form, with payment, to any of the two office locations below:

Albert Riederer Community Justice Complex
1315 Locust
Kansas City, MO 64106
Independence Courthouse
308 West Kansas
Suite 127
Independence, MO 64050

What are Kansas Vital Records?

Kansas vital records are official documents that serve as proof of life vital events that occurred in the city. Kansas vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. The Jackson County Circuit Court keeps Kansas divorce records, while the Jackson County Register of Deeds maintains Kansas marriage records. Kansas birth and death records are available at the Kansas City Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The Jackson County Health Department keeps birth and death records at the county level. The Bureau of Vital Records of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) maintains and issues copies of all records of births, marriages, deaths, and divorces in Missouri.

Some Kansas vital records are not accessible to the general public. Access to these vital records is restricted to certain eligible individuals, such as the holder of the record, immediate members of their family, or their legal representatives.

Where and How to Obtain Kansas Divorce Records?

The Jackson County Circuit Courts maintain copies of Kansas divorce records. Requesters can submit in person or mail requests for divorce records. Simply fill out the Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage form. Attach payment to the filled-out form and submit it to:

16th Circuit Court of Jackson County
415 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 881-3934

The Bureau of Vital Records of the DHSS keeps state divorce records from July 1938 to date. Interested persons can submit in person or mail requests to obtain divorce records. Fill out the Certified Statement Relating to Divorce form with all the relevant information needed, such as the names of both spouses, date of divorce, and county of divorce. If it is a mail request, notarize the application form. Submit the application form, a valid ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope (mail requests only) to:

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A divorce record costs $15, and an additional $15 for each extra copy of the record requested.

Where and How to Get Public Kansas Marriage Records?

The Jackson County Recorder of Deeds maintains marriage records in the county. A certified copy of a Kansas marriage record costs $10. Interested persons can make email applications for Kansas marriage certificates or submit an in-person or mail request to:

Truman Courthouse
112 West Lexington
Suite 30
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 881-4483

Also, there is the Recorder of Deeds Web Access which provides access to marriage records from 1826 to date. Searches can be carried out by name, license number, application date, or date of marriage, or a combination of the search options.

The Bureau of Vital Records of the DHSS processes in-person and mail requests for marriage records from July 1948 to date in the state. Complete the Certified Statement Relating to Marriage (notarize the form for mail requests). Submit the completed form, along with a valid ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A marriage record costs $15 for the first copy, and $15 for each additional copy of that record requested.

Where and How to Find Kansas Birth Records?

The CHIP-Vital Records is the primary custodian of Kansas birth records. Kansas birth records are accessible only to:

• The record’s subject
• Immediate family members
• Spouse
• Descendants
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Aunt and Uncle
• Niece and Nephew
• Guardian
• Step-parent
• Attorney or agent

These qualified persons can make in-person or mail requests for Kansas birth certificates. A Kansas birth record costs $15 per copy To make an in-person request, visit the Vital Records Office at 2400 Troost Avenue, Suite 1000, Kansas City, MO 64108. The office is open on Monday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For mail requests, fill out the birth certificate request form. Include a copy of a valid ID, $15 check or money order to “Vital Records”, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail these to:

KCMO Health Department
Vital Records
2400 Troost Avenue, Suite 1000
Kansas City, MO 64108
(785) 296-1400
(816) 513-6309

Alternatively, interested persons can request birth records from 1910 to date from the Bureau of Vital Records of the DHSS. Birth records from before 1909 to date are at the Jackson County Health Department. A birth record costs $15. Eligible individuals can make walk-in or mail requests for birth records. Requesters must show direct or tangible interest with proof. To submit a request, fill the Application for a Vital Record - Birth (DHSS) or the Birth Record Application form (Jackson County Health Department). If it is a mail request, notarize the filled-out form. The filled-out form, a copy of a valid ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope should be submitted in person or via mail to:

Jackson County Health Department
313 South Liberty
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 404-6415
Fax: (816) 404-6418

Or

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Where and How to Find Kansas Death Records?

The CHIP-Vital Records maintains Kansas death records from 1910 to date and provides copies to interested eligible persons. Kansas death records are accessible only to the deceased person’s:

• Immediate family members
• Spouse
• Descendants
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Aunt and Uncle
• Niece and Nephew
• Guardian
• Step-parent
• Attorney or agent

These eligible persons can submit walk-in or mail requests. A Kansas death record costs $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Make walk-in requests by visiting the Vital Records Office at 2400 Troost Avenue, Suite 1000, Kansas City, MO 64108. The office takes death records requests from Monday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For mail requests, complete the death certificate request form. Include a copy of a valid ID, payment of check or money order to “Vital Records”, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail them to:

KCMO Health Department
Vital Records
2400 Troost Avenue, Suite 1000
Kansas City, MO 64108
(785) 296-1400
(816) 513-6309

Death records from before 1909 to date are in the custody of the Jackson County Health Department. The Bureau of Vital Records of the DHSS keeps death records from 1910 to date. These death records are available when requesters make mail or in-person requests. Each requester must indicate direct and tangible interest, submit valid ID as proof, and make payment. A completed Application for a Vital Record - Death (DHSS) or Death Record Application Form (Jackson County Health Department) should be submitted in person or by mail to:

Jackson County Health Department
313 South Liberty
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 404-6415
Fax: (816) 404-6418

Or

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The certified copy of a death record costs $13 and $10 for each additional copy of the record requested.