Kansas Public Records Laws and Regulations

Learn more about which agencies control and provide access to public records in Kansas

Kansas public records laws and regulations control the access that the public has to records on individuals such as criminal background, immigration status and Kansas vital records. These laws also apply to government records such as meeting minutes and voting records.

KS public records laws may be grouped according to the aspect of public records that they address. These include the following three general areas:

1. Laws on Kansas public court records that regulate the manner in which public information may be accessed. These laws may specify issues such as the length of time the state has to respond to information requests, any fees an agency is allowed to charge and whether the requestor must provide a reason for wanting the information.
2. Laws that define what information on an individual may be considered public. These laws control the personal information that may be accessed by an individual or party designated by the individual.
3. Laws that specify what government records may be accessible to the public. These laws are usually intended to permit journalists to perform a Kansas court case search or to allow private citizens to provide input on government decisions.
   

 

Review the procedures for accessing state of Kansas public records

Access to Kansas court records and public records covered by the Open Records Act in Kansas is typically handled by the Attorney General. County and municipal courts may also provide access to KS criminal records.
Try: The Kansas Attorney General provides a FAQ on the Open Records Act. The Kansas Court of Tax Appeals has procedures for disclosing specific public records under the Open Records Act.

Learn about the laws regulating access of Kansas public records for individuals

Public records for individuals typically include vital records such as Kansas birth records, marriage licenses and death certificates. Individuals may only be able to access their own personal records.
Try: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides its regulations for disclosing vital records under Kansas law. Sedgwick County provides a citizen's guide for the laws that deal with accessing vital records.

Look for Kansas public records laws on government records

Government records may include meeting minutes, budget reports and real estate sales. Some government departments provide many different types of government records, while others may be dedicated to a specific type of record.
Try: The Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner provides an overview of the Kansas Open Records Act, which allows the public disclosure of government records. The Kansas State Historical Society has a variety of historical government records that it can disclose in accordance with Kansas state law.

 

• Kansas public records law is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996 which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

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