Butler County Court Records Search
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Butler County is the fourth-largest county by land area in Kansas, with its county seat in El Dorado. Judicial operations in the county are administered through the 13th Judicial District, which also encompasses Elk and Greenwood Counties. The Butler County District Court, housed in the Butler County Judicial Center, exercises general original jurisdiction over all criminal, civil, family, and probate matters filed within the county. Several municipal courts within the county’s incorporated cities handle local ordinance violations and certain traffic offenses. The Clerk of the District Court—currently Renea Albert—maintains all official case files and serves as the primary contact for public record requests.
Kansas residents and others seeking court case data can access records through a combination of official resources. The Clerk’s office at the Butler County Judicial Center accepts in-person, written, and telephone requests during business hours, and a public access computer inside the courthouse is available for on-site searches. The state judiciary also operates the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal, an online tool through which users can search case information and view documents filed after a court transitioned to the Kansas eCourt case management system. Additionally, KansasCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case information across the state. The Kansas Self-Help Center provides downloadable forms, fee schedules, and procedural guidance for self-represented individuals.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Butler County?
The principal trial court in Butler County and its contact information are listed below:
Butler County District Court — 13th Judicial District
Butler County Judicial Center
201 W. Pine, Suite 101
El Dorado, KS 67042
Phone: (316) 322-4370 | Toll-Free: (800) 595-3651
Fax: (316) 321-9486
Email: informbu@kscourts.org
Visitors enter the judicial center from the north side and must pass through a security checkpoint where a name badge will be printed. A drop box inside the north entrance accepts documents and payments for the Clerk of Court and the Court Services Department; staff retrieves items Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m.
The District Court bench includes the following judges:
| Division | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | Hon. Jan Satterfield | (316) 322-4396 |
| Division 4 | Hon. David Ricke (Chief Judge) | (316) 322-4358 |
Butler County also has numerous municipal courts:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Andover Municipal Court | 1609 E. Central, Andover, KS 67002 | (316) 733-4510 |
| Augusta Municipal Court | 2100 N. Ohio St., Augusta, KS 67010 | (316) 775-4500 |
| Benton Municipal Court | 154 S. Main St., Benton, KS 67017 | (316) 778-1625 |
| El Dorado Municipal Court | 220 E. 1st Ave., El Dorado, KS 67042 | — |
| Rose Hill Municipal Court | 125 W. Rosewood St., Rose Hill, KS 67133 | — |
| Towanda Municipal Court | 110 S. 3rd, Towanda, KS 67144 | — |
Additional municipal courts operate in Cassoday, Douglass, Elbing, Latham, Leon, Potwin, and Whitewater.
To search for a court case, use any of the following methods:
- Online — Public Access Portal. Visit the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal and search by party name or case number. A user guide explains the search interface. Case information is available for all courts operating on the Kansas eCourt system. Court documents filed after the court’s transition date are viewable online; older documents and certain restricted records are available only at the courthouse. Access is governed by Supreme Court Rule 22.
- In person. Court files open to the public may be accessed by appointment at (316) 322-4370. Provide the case number when scheduling. A designated room in the courthouse is used for public file review, and a public access computer is available separately from clerk offices for electronic searches.
- By phone. Call (316) 322-4372 for civil case inquiries or (316) 322-4331 for probate matters. Provide a name or case number.
- In writing. Submit the 13th Judicial District’s Request for Public Records Form to the Clerk’s office. The clerk has three business days to respond.
Fees charged by the Clerk’s Office:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies | $0.50 per page |
| Fax copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $1.00 per document |
| Authentication | $3.00 per packet |
| Research | $12.00 per hour |
| Copies of recorded hearings | $50.00 per hearing (up to one day) |
| Email records (under one hour of research) | No cost |
Are Court Records Public in Butler County?
Kansas law establishes a broad right of public access to government records. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), codified at K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., all records maintained by public agencies—including courts—are presumed open for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. The exemption provisions in K.S.A. 45-221 enumerate categories of records that are not required to be disclosed.
For court records specifically, the Kansas Supreme Court’s Rule 22 governs access to electronic district court case records through the public access portal and courthouse terminals. Sealed cases and sealed records are not public and cannot be accessed through either the portal or a courthouse terminal. Other records may be restricted by state statute, judicial rule, court order, or case law.
Categories of records that are confidential or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order under applicable Kansas statutes.
- Adoption proceedings — Files in adoption cases are confidential.
- Grand jury proceedings — Secrecy of grand jury proceedings is protected by statute.
- Juvenile court records — Most child in need of care and juvenile offender records are restricted.
- Expunged criminal records — Criminal records that have been expunged by court order are not subject to disclosure.
- Child custody and support proceedings — Certain filings containing sensitive family information.
- Guardianship and conservatorship cases — Records may contain protected personal information.
- Medical, psychiatric, and psychological records — Protected from disclosure under KORA exemptions.
- Substance abuse treatment records — Alcoholism or drug dependency treatment records are confidential.
- Victim information — Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of victims of sex offenses are restricted from public access.
- Criminal investigation records — Certain law enforcement investigative files may be withheld under K.S.A. 45-221(a).
Requests for records that may fall under an exemption should be directed in writing to the Clerk of the District Court, who will evaluate whether the record can be released.
Butler County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Butler County—ranging from misdemeanors through off-grid felonies—are prosecuted in the District Court. The Clerk’s office processes filings and maintains criminal case records that are not sealed or expunged.
Searching criminal records at the county level. Non-confidential criminal case information, including charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing data, can be searched through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal by party name or case number. In-person searches at the courthouse and written requests to the Clerk are also available, subject to the fees listed above.
Butler County Sheriff’s Office. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services countywide and publishes a weekly Inmate Roster on its website that can be used to locate current detainee information.
Butler County Sheriff’s Office
141 S. Gordy
El Dorado, KS 67042
Phone: (316) 322-4254
Butler County Detention Facility
701 S. Stone Road
El Dorado, KS 67042
Phone: (316) 322-4160
Statewide criminal history records. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains the state’s Central Repository for criminal history data. Any individual, company, or organization may request adult conviction information through the KBI. The Criminal History Record Search portal allows name-based online searches for $30.00 per individual. Users need a KanAccess account and may conduct searches daily between 4:00 a.m. and midnight.
Additional KBI record-check options:
| Type | Fee | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Name-based online search | $30.00 | Via KBI portal (KanAccess required) |
| Fingerprint-based search | $45.00 | Mail fingerprint card to KBI |
| Certified name-based record check | $40.00 | Mail request form to KBI |
| Certified fingerprint-based record check | $55.00 | Mail request form plus fingerprint card |
Fingerprint cards (FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card, FD Form 258) can be obtained free of charge by mailing a request to:
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Criminal History Records Section
1620 SW Tyler
Topeka, KS 66612-1837
A Spanish-language version of the certified record check request form is also available. The public may only receive adult conviction records; juvenile offender records, expunged records, non-conviction dispositions, and successfully completed diversions are not released to the general public.
Criminal court filing fees (per the Kansas Court Fee Schedule, effective with eCourt case types as of August 2025):
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal Felony (Levels 4–7, Drug 2–5) | $193.00 |
| Criminal Felony (Off Grid, Levels 1–3, Drug 1) | $193.00 |
| Criminal Misdemeanor | $158.00 |
| Criminal Murder/Manslaughter | $202.50 |
| County Code Violation | $20.00 |
| Fish and Game | $108.00 |
| Expungement (criminal) | $195.00 |
Butler County Civil Court Records
The Butler County District Court maintains records of all civil actions filed in the county, including general civil lawsuits (Chapter 60), limited actions, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, name changes, and administrative appeals. Civil court records are available to the public unless sealed or otherwise restricted.
How to access civil court records:
- Online. Search the Public Access Portal by party name, case number, or attorney. Documents filed after the court’s eCourt transition are viewable online.
- In person. Make an appointment at (316) 322-4375 and provide the case number. A public access computer is available at the courthouse for on-site searches.
- By phone. Call (316) 322-4372 with a name or case number.
- By mail. Submit a completed Request for Court Records form to the Clerk’s office. The processing time is three business days.
Civil filing fees (total including docket fee and surcharge):
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (Chapter 60) | $195.00 |
| Domestic/Family (divorce, paternity) | $195.00 |
| Post-decree motion (modification) | $62.00 |
| Limited action ($500 or less) | $54.00 |
| Limited action ($500.01–$5,000) | $74.00 |
| Limited action ($5,000.01–$25,000) | $120.00 |
| Small claims ($500 or less) | $47.50 |
| Small claims ($500.01–$4,000) | $67.50 |
| Garnishment | $12.50 |
| Writ of execution | $12.50 |
| Summary judgment motion | $195.00 |
| Pro hac vice motion | $100.00 |
Individuals who cannot afford filing fees may request a waiver by filing a Poverty Affidavit with the court.
Property records. The Butler County Register of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. The office is located at 205 W. Central, El Dorado, KS 67042, Phone: (316) 322-4113, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An online document search tool is available for property record lookups. The Butler County Appraiser’s Office and Treasurer’s Office are co-located at the same address and maintain additional property tax and valuation records. A Parcel Search tool provides centralized property information.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Civil Process division handles service of process at $15.00 per address, payable by check or money order to the Butler County Sheriff. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Butler County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Butler County—including divorce, legal separation, paternity, child custody and parenting time, child support, domestic violence protection orders, adoption, and termination of parental rights—are heard by the District Court. There is no separate family court division; the district judges handle all family cases.
Divorce and custody records. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and related pleadings are maintained by the Clerk of District Court and can be searched through the Public Access Portal or requested in person by appointment at (316) 322-4375. The public access computer at the courthouse allows free viewing of divorce records; copies cost $0.50 per page plus $1.00 for certification.
Family law filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce/dissolution of marriage | $195.00 |
| Paternity | $195.00 |
| Non-divorce visitation, custody, or support | $195.00 |
| Adoption | $195.00 |
| Post-judgment motion to modify | $62.00 |
| Protection from abuse petition | $195.00 |
| Protection from stalking petition | $195.00 |
Kansas Protection Order Portal. The Kansas Judicial Branch operates the Kansas Protection Order Portal, which provides a free and secure method to file a petition for a protection order electronically with the Butler County District Court. Paper petitions are also accepted; contact the Clerk at (316) 322-4280 or by email. Butler County residents seeking domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault support services may contact the Family Life Center Safehouse.
Marriage licenses. Kansas marriage license applicants must apply through the online Marriage License Portal. The fee is $85.50, with an additional $2.14 for credit/debit card payments or $1.25 for electronic check payments. Both parties must be at least 18 years old (applicants aged 16–17 require parental consent; a judge may consent for those aged 15). No identification documents are required at the time of online application. The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance. Processing takes approximately two weeks from the application date. After the ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the issuing court within 10 days.
Certified marriage certificates. Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics at $20.00 per copy. Requests can be submitted online (with a $13.95 expedited service fee), by mail using the application form, through the IKAN mobile app (plus a $5.00 processing fee), or in person at the Office of Vital Statistics in Topeka.
Kansas Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
Walk-in Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Butler County Clerk’s Office at 205 W. Central Ave., 2nd Floor, El Dorado, KS 67042, Phone: (316) 322-4239, maintains historical vital records from the 1800s through 1911 and can provide marriage records from that period by phone, email (tstafford@bucoks.com), or in person.
Birth and death records. Per K.S.A. 65-2422d, birth and death records are not public records. Certified copies ($20.00 each) are issued only to the record holder, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest. The Office of Vital Statistics provides birth and death certificates from 1911 onward through online, mail (birth application / death application), mobile app (IKAN), and walk-in methods. Phone orders are available through an authorized vendor at (877) 305-8315.
Butler County Probate Court Records
The Butler County District Court exercises general original jurisdiction over all probate and estate matters, including decedent estates, determination of descent, guardianships (adult and minor), conservatorships, trust proceedings, filing of wills and affidavits, and termination of life estates or joint tenancies. The Clerk of the District Court maintains all probate case files.
How to access probate records:
- Online. Search the Public Access Portal by the decedent’s name, case number, or the name of the personal representative.
- In person. Visit the Butler County Judicial Center during business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Note: the court closes Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. for a district-wide staff meeting.) A public access computer is available for electronic searches. Copies cost $0.50 per page; certified copies are $1.00 per document.
- By phone. Call (316) 322-4331 with the decedent’s name or case number.
- By email. Send requests to informbu@kscourts.org.
- In writing. Submit the Request for Public Records Form to the Clerk’s office.
Probate filing fees:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Decedent estate | $131.50 |
| Guardianship (adult or minor) | $91.50 |
| Conservatorship/Trusteeship | $91.50 |
| Guardianship/Conservatorship (adult or minor) | $91.50 |
| Determination of descent | $71.50 |
| Filing will and affidavit | $70.50 |
| Care and treatment | $56.50 |
| Trust proceedings (filing) | $195.00 |
| Petition to elevate will to estate | $131.50 |
| Petition for refusal to grant letters | $70.50 |
| Petition for subsequent administration | Not listed separately; contact Clerk |
Common probate filings include petitions to open an estate, petitions for appointment of an executor or administrator, inventories and appraisals, final accountings, petitions for distribution, and petitions for guardianship or conservatorship. The Kansas Self-Help Center provides form packets and procedural guidance for self-represented individuals in probate matters.