Douglas County Court Records
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Douglas County sits in northeast Kansas and is home to Lawrence, the county seat. All judicial business for the county runs through the 7th Judicial District, which serves Douglas County exclusively. The Douglas County District Court — a court of general jurisdiction — handles the full range of legal matters under Kansas law, including criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family disputes, probate estates, juvenile proceedings, and small claims. The court operates out of two buildings in Lawrence: the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center at 111 East 11th Street and the Douglas County Courthouse at 1100 Massachusetts Street.
You can research Douglas County court records through several official channels. The Clerk of the District Court in Douglas County maintains all case files and is your first stop for record requests. Beyond visiting the clerk's office in person, you can use public-access computer terminals in the courthouse or search the statewide Kansas Case Search portal online. For a broader overview of district court resources across the state, KansasCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available court case information.
Douglas County District Court
Address: 111 East 11th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 832-5256
Fax: (785) 832-5174
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:30 p.m.
The 7th Judicial District currently has seven regular divisions, a pro tem division, a juvenile division, and specialty courts for behavioral health, drug offenses, and veterans treatment. Judges and their case assignments are listed on the Divisions and Judges page of the Douglas County website. Three municipal courts also operate within the county — in Lawrence, Baldwin City, and Eudora — handling local ordinance and traffic violations independently from the state district court.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Douglas County?
Douglas County gives you online, in-person, and written request options for finding court records.
Online search. Start with the Kansas Case Search portal — part of the Kansas eCourt system — which lets the public look up district court case information by case number, party name, business name, or citation. Results show case type, parties, the assigned judge, hearing dates, and case status. Court documents filed after the 7th Judicial District moved to the eCourt case management system are also viewable online for cases that aren't sealed or otherwise restricted. Access is shaped by Kansas Supreme Court Rule 22, which defines what counts as a public electronic court record and what falls outside that category.
In-person search. Public-access computers are available in the lobby of the Clerk of the District Court's office, located in the basement of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. These terminals let you search case information and view records filed in Douglas County. No appointment is needed, but note the midday closure from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Written and emailed requests. The clerk's office accepts record requests submitted using a court records request form. A Users Guide (PDF) walks you through the request process with detailed instructions, including answers to common questions and guidance for attorneys and abstracters. You can also mail requests to:
Clerk of the District Court
c/o Criminal Division
111 E. 11th Street, Unit 5
Lawrence, KS 66044-2966
Copy and research fees (Douglas County):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court documents | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a document | $1.00 per document |
| Authentication | $2.00 per document |
| Faxed copies (local) | $1.00 per page |
| Faxed copies (long distance) | $2.00 per page |
| Shipping and handling | $1.00 |
| Record search (staff-assisted, no case number) | $5.00 |
Payment methods. In-person payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). A 2.5% transaction fee applies to all card payments. For traffic cases with a balance due in full, online payments are accepted through PayKSCourts.com. Questions about bond refunds or restitution checks should go to the Kansas Centralized Payment Center at (785) 368-7070 or cpc@kscourts.org.
The court also runs a Self-Help office for self-represented parties, open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (evictions and collections only from 8:00–9:00 a.m. on Fridays). Reach the Self-Help office at selfhelp@dgcoks.gov.
Are Court Records Public in Douglas County?
Kansas law establishes a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), codified at K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., gives individuals, researchers, and media organizations the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by state and local government agencies, including the courts. Douglas County residents and members of the general public may request access to court records in person, by mail, or by email, subject to applicable fees and exemptions.
The Kansas Supreme Court's eCourt rules — particularly Rule 22 — also govern electronic access to district court records. Under Rule 22, public case records may be viewed through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal unless they fall into a restricted category.
Records that are NOT available to the public include:
- Adoption records
- Certain criminal investigation records
- Expunged criminal records
- Child in Need of Care (CINC) and many juvenile records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Sealed cases and sealed individual documents within a case
- Protected health information subject to HIPAA
- Confidential juror information
- Sex and child offender registration details beyond those publicly posted
Even when a case is generally public, specific documents within it may be sealed by court order. KORA also makes clear that records whose disclosure is prohibited by federal law, state statute, or a rule of the Kansas Supreme Court are exempt from public inspection under K.S.A. 45-221.
If a record is public but not yet available through the online portal, you can still view it at the courthouse on the public-access computer terminals. Sealed records are unavailable through either method.
Douglas County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Douglas County are prosecuted in the 7th Judicial District Court. Felonies are assigned primarily to Division 1 (Judge Amy Hanley), Division 2, and Division 6 (Judge Stacey L. Donovan). Misdemeanor cases are typically handled by Division 7 (Judge Carl Folsom III) and the Pro Tem Division (Judge Blake Glover), which also covers traffic misdemeanors and infractions. The court additionally runs a Drug Court for drug-related offenses, a Behavioral Health Court, and a Veterans Treatment Court.
Searching criminal case records. Criminal case information — including charges, hearing schedules, disposition, and sentencing details — can be searched through the Kansas Case Search portal by defendant name, case number, or citation. In-person searches are available on the public-access terminals in the clerk's office.
Criminal docket fees (statewide schedule):
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal felony | $193.00 |
| Criminal misdemeanor | $158.00 |
| Criminal murder/manslaughter | $202.50 |
| Traffic (court costs for diversion) | $108.00 |
Statewide criminal history checks. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains a statewide criminal history database. Online record checks can be run through the Kansas Criminal History Record Check system for $30 per search. The system is available between 4:00 a.m. and midnight CST. Fingerprint-based background checks cost $45 per individual.
Expungement. An expungement is the legal process of asking a judge to seal the record of a previous criminal or juvenile offense. In Kansas, an expunged record is not destroyed — law enforcement, the FBI, and immigration officials may still access sealed files for certain purposes. The Douglas County Clerk of the District Court provides expungement forms and a criminal cover sheet. A Poverty Affidavit may be submitted to request a waiver of the filing fee, subject to judicial approval.
Douglas County Civil Court Records
The Douglas County District Court handles civil matters across multiple divisions. Chapter 60 civil actions under the Kansas Code of Civil Procedure — covering real estate disputes, contract claims, personal injury litigation, and foreclosures — are assigned to Divisions 3, 4, and 5. Limited civil actions and small claims fall under separate jurisdictional thresholds.
Civil filing fees (statewide schedule):
| Case Type | Statute | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 60 civil action | K.S.A. 60-2001 | $195.00 |
| Limited action ($500 or less) | K.S.A. 61-4001 | $54.00 |
| Limited action ($500.01–$5,000) | K.S.A. 61-4001 | $74.00 |
| Limited action ($5,000.01–$25,000) | K.S.A. 61-4001 | $120.00 |
| Small claims ($500 or less) | K.S.A. 61-2704 | $47.50 |
| Small claims ($500.01–$4,000) | K.S.A. 61-2704 | $67.50 |
| Appeal from municipal court | $94.50 | |
| Order for garnishment (Ch. 60) | K.S.A. 60-729 | $20.00 |
Searching civil records. Civil case files can be searched online through Kansas Case Search or on the public-access terminals in the clerk's office. Written requests for copies of civil court documents should include the case number, party names, and a description of the records needed. Copies cost $0.25 per page with a $1.00 certification charge per document.
E-filing. Attorneys must file civil case documents electronically through the Kansas Courts eFiling system. Members of the public filing without an attorney are not required to e-file and may submit documents in person, by mail, or by drop box. More information on Douglas County's e-filing procedures is available on the county's eFiling page.
Property records. Real estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded by the Douglas County Register of Deeds, not the District Court. Recording fees start at $21.00 for the first page. The full Douglas County Fee Schedule details recording costs, UCC filing fees, and other county charges. General county photocopies are $0.50 per page under KORA.
Douglas County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases in Douglas County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody and placement, paternity, spousal support, and protection orders — are primarily assigned to Division 3 (Judge Catherine C. Theisen) and Division 7 (Judge Carl Folsom III). The Juvenile Division, led by Judge Paul R. Klepper, handles juvenile offender matters, Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases, adoptions, and child support.
Filing fees for family actions:
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic (divorce, paternity, custody) | $195.00 |
| Post-decree motion | $62.00 |
Court Trustee. The Douglas County Court Trustee's Office, established in 1995, enforces and modifies child support and spousal maintenance orders. The office also administers mediation services for domestic cases. Reach the Court Trustee at (785) 832-5315 or trustee@dgcoks.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 111 E. 11th Street, Unit 101, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Protection orders. The Kansas Protection Order Portal lets individuals begin filing for a protection from abuse (PFA) or protection from stalking (PFS) order online. The Pro Tem Division and Juvenile Division both hear PFA/PFS petitions. There is no filing fee for protection orders in Kansas.
Parenting classes. Douglas County requires parents involved in divorce or custody cases to attend approved parenting education classes. Information and scheduling details are available through the court's Marriage, Divorce, and Protection Orders page.
Marriage licenses. Marriage license applications are processed by the Clerk of the District Court. The statewide fee is $85.50. Applications can be submitted online through the Kansas Judicial Branch, and processing typically takes at least two weeks from the date of application. A marriage license is valid for six months from issuance. For questions about applying for a new license, contact the civil desk at civil@dgcoks.gov or (785) 832-5233. Certified copies of marriage certificates must be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) at least two weeks after the ceremony. KDHE charges $20 per certified copy of a marriage, divorce, birth, or death certificate, plus a $15 expedited service fee for rush requests.
Adoption and juvenile records. Adoption records are sealed by law and accessible only to parties directly involved in the adoption. Juvenile court records — including juvenile offender and CINC files — are confidential to protect minors' privacy and are not available through the public access portal or the courthouse terminals.
Birth and death certificates. These are maintained by the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, not the District Court. Requests may be submitted by mail, in person, online, or by phone through KDHE at (877) 305-8315. Eligible requesters include the individual named on the record (if 18 or older), direct family members, and legal representatives.
Douglas County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Douglas County are heard by the District Court, primarily through Division 3 (Judge Catherine C. Theisen) and Division 4 (Judge James R. McCabria). Kansas does not have a separate probate court — instead, the district court exercises probate jurisdiction over estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental health commitments.
Types of probate records maintained by the clerk include:
- Petitions for probate of wills and appointment of executors or administrators
- Letters of administration and letters testamentary
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Guardianship petitions, orders, and annual reports
- Conservatorship appointments and financial reports
- Trust administration filings
- Mental health commitment records (restricted access)
Searching probate records. Probate case information can be searched through the Kansas Case Search portal by party name or case number. Documents filed after the 7th Judicial District's transition to the eCourt system are viewable online for public cases. Older probate records and documents not yet digitized can be reviewed at the courthouse or requested from the clerk's office.
Probate filing fees. The docket fee for filing a new probate case generally mirrors the Chapter 60 civil filing fee of $195.00, though specific probate actions — such as guardianship or conservatorship petitions — may carry different amounts. A motion fee of $20 applies to most post-filing motions. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may submit a Poverty Affidavit to request a waiver, which a judge will review and approve, deny, or grant in part.
Requesting probate copies. Copies of probate case documents cost $0.25 per page, with a $1.00 certification fee per document. Submit requests in person, by mail, or through the court records request form on the Court Records page. Include the case number, the decedent's or ward's name, and a description of the specific documents you need. If you don't have the case number, the clerk will conduct a search for a $5.00 research fee.
Care and Treatment. Division 5 (Judge Mark A. Simpson) handles care-and-treatment cases, which involve involuntary commitment and treatment orders for individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders. These records contain sensitive health information and are subject to confidentiality restrictions beyond those that apply to standard court files.