Johnson County, Kansas State Court Records
Rule 106B of the Kansas Supreme Court Rules defines court records as filings and actions related to a case. It excludes materials not filed in the case, such as emails and informal correspondence. In simple terms, court records are the official documents of a case, created and kept by the trial court clerk during litigation.
Court records are often useful for research or reference in Johnson County. According to 60-2601 K.S.A, the court clerk is responsible for maintaining these records. Although they are generally open to the public, court records differ from other public records, such as arrests or criminal records, in how they are created, kept, and what they contain.
Are Johnson County Court Records Public?
Yes. Johnson County court records are public but not under the Kansas Open Records Act. Access is instead governed by court rules, including Kansas Supreme Court Rules 106 and 22. Together, these rules support the presumption that court records in Johnson are open for public inspection or copying.
However, this access is subject to limitations depending on the type of case or the information involved. While most court and case records are open, matters involving juveniles or minors are generally confidential. Certain probate and family documents may also be restricted. Such records are typically accessible only to parties to the case or individuals with a court order.
What Information is Available in Johnson County Court Records?
The information in a Johnson County court record depends on the type of record requested or reviewed, as each record contains only details relevant to the case. A court record typically includes the parties’ data, case title, case number, case type, dockets, financials, judgements, and filed documents.
Johnson County Court Records Search
Pursuant to Kansas Supreme Court Rule 22 and 106B, Johnson County court records may be accessed through the following methods:
- Online Access: The Kansas Judicial Branch provides a public access portal (Kansas Case Search) for remote searches of cases in Johnson County. Access is public, but searches require basic case details, such as party names and other case information.
- In-Person Access: Individuals may use courthouse terminals or request records from the clerk’s office, the official custodian of court records. Electronic case records are available on public access computers, and paper records may be inspected upon request. Requesters must provide a name or case number to search. According to 106B(e), compiled information and bulk distribution of court records are not available to the public.
- Mail Requests: Requesters may submit a request form for court records to the clerk’s office, including identifying details and applicable fees (copying and postage costs). A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for delivery. If records are unavailable or not public, the requester will be notified
Direct inquiries should be made to the appropriate custodian for records belonging to other courts.
Fees for Court Records in Johnson County
Fees for a Johnson County court record search or copies depend on the access method and record type. The following fees may apply:
Searches
- Online: Free
- In Person: Free
Uncertified Copies
- Printed Copies: 20 cents per page
- Mailed Copies: 50 cents for the first five pages, 25 cents for each additional five pages
- Fax: 50 cents per page (limited to 15 pages)
- Email: 60 cents for the first page, 30 cents for each additional page
Certified Copies
- Certification: $10 per document
Document Preparation
- Record Custodian or Clerical Staff: $20 per hour (billed in quarter-hour increments)
- Professional Staff: $60 per hour (billed in quarter-hour increments)
Johnson County Courthouse Locations
Johnson County has a District Court with general trial jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. It hears matters such as divorce, damage suits, domestic relations, probate, guardianship, conservatorship, small claims, and estate administration.
The County also has several Municipal Courts which handle city ordinance violations, traffic infractions, petty offenses, and some misdemeanors.
These courts hold sessions in the following locations:
District Courts
Johnson County Courthouse
100 North Kansas Avenue
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: (913) 715-3300
Fax: (913) 715-3317
Municipal Courts
De Soto Municipal Court
32905 West 84th Street
De Soto, KS 66018
Phone: (913) 586-5290
Fax: (913) 583-3123
Edgerton Municipal Court
404 East Nelson Street
Edgerton, KS 66021
Phone: (913) 893-6231
Fax: (913) 893-6232
Fairway Municipal Court
5252 Belinder
Fairway, KS 66205
Phone: 9913) 262-2364
Fax: (913) 262-1881
Gardner Municipal Court
120 East Main Street
Gardner, KS 66030
Phone: (913) 856-0904
Fax: (913) 856-5784
Lake Quivira Municipal Court
10 Crescent Boulevard
Lake Quivira, KS 66217
Phone: (913) 631-7844
Fax: (913) 631-5761
Leawood Municipal Court
4205 Town Center Drive
Leawood, KS 66211
Phone: (913)339-6735
Fax: (913) 661-7090
Lenexa Municipal Court
12400 West
87th Street Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66215
Phone: (913) 477-7600
Fax: (913) 477-7619
Merriam Municipal Court
Merriam City Hall, Lower Level
9001 West 62nd Street
Merriam, KS 66202
Phone: (913) 322-5540
Fax: (913) 322-5545
Mission Hills Municipal Court
7700 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Phone: (913) 385-4680
Fax: (913) 385-4665
Mission Municipal Court
6090 Woodson Road
Mission, KS 66202
Phone: (913) 676-8325
Fax: (913) 676-8385
Mission Woods Municipal Court
4700 Rainbow Boulevard
Westwood, KS 66205
Phone: ((913) 362-3737
Fax: (913) 362-3308
Olathe Municipal Court
1200 South Harrison
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: (913) 971-7564
Overland Park Municipal Court
W. Jack Sanders Justice Center
12400 Foster,
Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: (913) 327-6800
Fax: (913) 327-5760
Prairie Village Municipal Court
7700 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Phone: (913) 385-4680
Fax: (913) 385-4665
Roeland Park Municipal Court
4600 West 51st Street
Roeland Park, KS 66205
Phone: (913) 677-3389
Shawnee Municipal Court
5860 Renner Road
Shawnee, KS 66217
Phone: (913) 742-6003
Fax: (913) 742-6947
Spring Hill Municipal Court
401 North Madison Street
Spring Hill, KS 66083
Phone: (913) 592-3664
Fax: (913) 592-5040
Westwood Hills Municipal Court
4700 Rainbow Boulevard
Westwood, KS 66205
Phone: (913) 362-3737
Fax: (913) 362-3308
Westwood Municipal Court
4700 Rainbow Boulevard
Westwood, KS 66205
Phone: (913) 362-3737
Fax: (913) 362-3308
Criminal Records Access in Johnson County
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issues statewide criminal history records for a fee. These records are provided to the public through an online system. New users must create a KanAccess account to access the criminal records. The system is available daily from 4:00 a.m. to midnight. For a more detailed search, individuals may contact the sheriff’s office and submit a live fingerprint scan request; however, access to such records is restricted to authorized persons.
While the KBI provides criminal history checks, case-specific records must be obtained from the District Court or, for minor offenses, the Municipal Court where the case was heard. Searches can be conducted online through the Kansas Case Search database (for district court records), by mail, or in person at the respective clerk’s office. Basic searches are often free, but extensive searches or record copies may incur a fee.
Johnson County Probate Records
Probate hearings in Johnson County are handled by the District Court, which has exclusive authority over cases involving estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.
A probate hearing addresses the administration of a deceased person’s estate or property located in the county. The records generated from the proceedings, known as Johnson County probate records, document wills, estate inventories, and estate accountings, among other records. While many probate records are open to public review, some documents are restricted and not available for inspection.
Individuals seeking estate records (wills and probate filings) may contact the District Court clerk in person or by mail. This method is especially handy when searching for documents not available through the judiciary’s case management system.
For remote access, probate records may be available through the online case management system. Although convenient, it may not include all case documents. Certain records, such as guardianship and conservatorship files, are excluded due to their confidentiality. Searches generally require a party name, a case number, and, sometimes, a filing date.
Johnson County Family Court Records
According to Kansas Supreme Court Rules 22.d and 106, family court records in Johnson County are confidential and generally closed to the public. Access to these records is restricted, and obtaining them requires proper authorization.
Key information regarding access includes
- Restricted Access: These records are not available through public terminals or standard online systems.
- Public Inspection: While most details are private, brief case summaries or limited information might be open for inspection.
- Direct Inquiries: All requests and inquiries regarding family court records must be submitted directly to the District Court.
Federal Court Records in Johnson County
The United States District Court for the District of Kansas handles federal cases originating in Johnson County. Its jurisdiction is limited to matters involving federal law or the United States Constitution, such as federal crimes and civil rights cases. It does not extend to local statutes or ordinances.
Records of federal cases can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), the federal judiciary’s online case management database. Users must register for an account to search for and view case information and documents.
Records may also be requested by mail or obtained in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. In-person inquiries can be made at the clerk’s office, where public access terminals are typically available.
To conduct a search, requesters must provide a party name or case number. While basic case information may be viewed at no cost, accessing full documents and obtaining copies usually requires payment.