Labette County Court Records Search
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Labette County, Kansas is served by a multi-tiered court system operating within the 11th Judicial District, which also encompasses Cherokee and Crawford counties. At the county level, two divisions of the Labette County District Court handle the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters — one in the county seat of Oswego and the other in Parsons. Below the district court level, six municipal courts operate within individual cities across the county. The District Court Clerk maintains records generated by the district courts, while each city's municipal court office holds its own municipal records.
Residents researching Labette County case history have several tools available. KansasCourts.us can help you understand how Kansas courts are organized and point you toward publicly available case information. Records can be searched through official online portals, on public access terminals at the courthouse, or by submitting written requests directly to the Clerk of the District Court.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Labette County?
Labette County District Court cases can be searched through CaseSearch, the Kansas Judicial Branch's official online tool launched in late 2025. CaseSearch allows the public to search district court case information by party name, case number, or other available criteria from all Kansas counties operating on the Kansas eCourt case management system, including Labette County. The portal is free to access and returns case details such as parties involved, case type, hearing dates, and — where applicable — filed documents.
For documents not available online, or when certified copies are needed, you'll need to submit a written request directly to the Labette County District Court Clerk. The Kansas Judicial Branch provides a standardized Request Form for Court Records, and clerks are required to respond by the end of the third business day after receiving a written request.
Labette County District Court — Oswego Division
Address: 517 Merchant Street, Oswego, KS 67356
Phone: (620) 795-4533
Fax: (620) 795-4068
Clerk of the District Court: Teri Meador
Labette County District Court — Parsons Division (Judicial Center)
Address: 201 South Central, Parsons, KS 67357
Phone: (620) 421-4120
Fax: (620) 421-3633
Clerk of the District Court: Teri Meador
Both divisions share the same District Court Clerk. In-person visitors can use the public access computer terminals available at each courthouse location to search case information on-site. Document copy fees are $0.25 per page, with an hourly search fee of $12.00 when staff-assisted searches are required.
Are Court Records Public in Labette County?
Most Labette County court records are open to the public under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) and Kansas Supreme Court Rule 22, which covers access to public electronic district court case records. The general presumption in Kansas is that public records are available for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory or judicial exemption applies.
The following categories of records are restricted from public access:
- Sealed cases and sealed documents — not accessible through any public channel, including courthouse terminals
- Juvenile records — most child in need of care (CINC) and juvenile offender files are confidential under K.S.A. 38-2314 and related statutes
- Expunged criminal records — removed from public view following a court order under K.S.A. 21-6614 (conviction expungement) or K.S.A. 22-2410 (arrest expungement)
- Adoption records — confidential under Kansas law
- Certain criminal investigation records that have not yet led to formal charges
- Grand jury proceedings — not disclosed to the public
- Records sealed by specific court order for other case-specific reasons
The full list of statutory exemptions is found at K.S.A. 45-221. If you believe a record has been improperly withheld, you may file a written request with the court or consult the Kansas Judicial Branch's guidance on requesting court records.
Vital records — including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates — are managed separately through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and are not court records. Labette County's own open records page provides direction on obtaining those documents.
Labette County Criminal Court Records
Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Labette County are filed and adjudicated in the Labette County District Court. The District Court Clerk maintains criminal case records, which include charging documents, arraignment orders, pretrial filings, plea agreements, jury trial records, judgments, and sentencing orders.
11th Judicial District Criminal Filing Fees (effective July 1, 2017):
| Case Type | Docket Fee | Surcharge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder or Manslaughter | $180.50 | $22.00 | $202.50 |
| Felony | $171.00 | $22.00 | $193.00 |
| Misdemeanor | $136.00 | $22.00 | $158.00 |
| Traffic | $86.00 | $22.00 | $108.00 |
| Expungement (conviction) | $176.00 | $19.00 | $195.00 |
| Expungement (arrest) | $176.00 | $19.00 | $195.00 |
The full 11th Judicial District filing fee schedule is published on the Kansas Judicial Branch website.
Criminal History Searches
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains statewide criminal history records and offers a Criminal History Record Check service for background screening purposes. This database is separate from district court case records and covers convictions and arrests statewide, not just Labette County.
Arrest Information and Inmate Status
Arrest records in Labette County are maintained by the arresting law enforcement agency rather than the courts. The Labette County Sheriff's Office publishes a publicly accessible online inmate roster, updated regularly with current bookings at the county detention facility.
Labette County Sheriff's Office
Address: 718 5th Street, Oswego, KS 67356
Non-Emergency (24 hours): (620) 795-2565
Jail Administration: (620) 795-2997
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Municipal court criminal records — covering ordinance violations and minor traffic matters — are held by each city's municipal court. Six municipal courts operate in Labette County:
| Municipal Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Altamont | 407 South Huston Street, Altamont, KS 67330 | (620) 784-5612 |
| Chetopa | 332 Maple Street, Chetopa, KS 67336 | (620) 236-7541 |
| Edna | 209 North Delaware Street, P.O. Box 190, Edna, KS 67342 | (620) 922-3841 |
| Mound Valley | 411 Hickory Street, P.O. Box 164, Mound Valley, KS 67354 | (620) 328-3411 |
| Oswego | 703 5th Street, P.O. Box 210, Oswego, KS 67356 | (620) 795-4433 |
| Parsons | 112 South 17th Street, P.O. Box 1037, Parsons, KS 67357 | (620) 421-7068 |
Labette County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Labette County are divided between two procedural tracks depending on the amount in controversy. Standard civil actions filed under Chapter 60 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated — covering general contract disputes, personal injury, property matters, and other claims — are filed in the District Court. Limited actions under Chapter 61, as well as small claims, are available for lower-value disputes and carry reduced filing fees.
11th Judicial District Civil Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Chapter 60 Civil | $195.00 |
| Limited Action (≤$500) | $54.00 |
| Limited Action (>$500–≤$5,000) | $74.00 |
| Limited Action (>$5,000–≤$25,000) | $120.00 |
| Small Claims (≤$500) | $47.50 |
| Small Claims (>$500–≤$4,000) | $67.50 |
Small claims cases in Kansas are capped at $4,000 under K.S.A. 61-2704 in the 11th Judicial District fee schedule, offering an informal, accessible option for resolving minor disputes without an attorney. To file a small claims case, visit the Clerk of the District Court at either courthouse location and bring the defendant's full legal name and address, the nature of the claim, and the amount sought.
Civil case records can be searched online through CaseSearch or by visiting the courthouse. Written requests for certified copies of civil documents should be directed to the District Court Clerk using the Kansas Judicial Branch's court records request process. Copies are available at $0.25 per page.
Labette County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Labette County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, protection from abuse, and related domestic proceedings — are handled by the Labette County District Court. The District Court Clerk maintains all family case files at both the Oswego and Parsons courthouse locations.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and case summaries are maintained by the District Court Clerk and can be searched through CaseSearch or reviewed in person at either courthouse. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of filing ready when you contact the Clerk. Certified copies are issued at $0.25 per page.
At the state level, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics maintains official divorce certificates for events recorded across Kansas. Certified copies of state-issued divorce certificates cost $20.00 each and can be ordered by mail or in person:
KDHE Office of Vital Statistics
Address: 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 120, Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
Walk-in Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Labette County are issued by the County Clerk's office. The filing fee for a marriage license through the 11th Judicial District is $85.50 (including a $59.00 docket fee and $26.50 surcharge under K.S.A. 23-2510). Certified copies of marriage licenses can be obtained from the County Clerk at the courthouse.
Labette County Clerk's Office
Address: 501 Merchant Street, Oswego, KS 67356
Phone: (620) 795-4931
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
For state-issued marriage certificates, the KDHE Vital Statistics office issues certified copies for $20.00 each. As with divorce certificates, requests can be submitted in person during walk-in hours or by mail to the Topeka address above.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Labette County residents are maintained by the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics, not the district court. Access to these records is restricted: birth certificates are issued only to the registrant, immediate family, or legal representatives, and death certificates are limited to parties with a direct and tangible interest. Certified copies of both record types cost $20.00 each from KDHE. The Labette County official open records page confirms that all vital certificates are obtained through KDHE and provides the state contact number for general inquiries.
Child Support
Child support enforcement matters are handled through the district court in coordination with the Kansas Department for Children and Families. Parties seeking to establish, modify, or enforce a support order should contact the District Court Clerk at either courthouse location.
Labette County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Labette County fall under the jurisdiction of the Labette County District Court. The District Court Clerk maintains all probate case files, which document the administration of decedents' estates, will probate, guardianships, conservatorships, trusteeships, and care and treatment proceedings for individuals with mental illness or substance abuse issues.
Probate case records typically include:
- Petitions to probate an estate or will
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Inventories and appraisements of estate assets
- Claims filed by creditors
- Accountings submitted during administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship appointment orders
- Final decrees closing estates
11th Judicial District Probate Filing Fees:
| Proceeding Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate of Estate or Will | $131.50 |
| Conservatorship and/or Guardianship | $91.50 |
| Trusteeship | $91.50 |
| Filing Will and Affidavit | $70.50 |
| Determination of Descent | $71.50 |
| Adoption | $70.50 |
| Termination of Joint Tenancy | $70.50 |
| Termination of Life Estate | $70.50 |
| Certified Probate Proceedings (out of county) | $45.50 |
| Decrees of Probate from another state | $195.00 |
| Mentally Ill / Alcoholism/Drug Abuse Care and Treatment | $56.50 |
Most probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order. To request copies, contact the Labette County District Court Clerk in writing at either courthouse. Copies cost $0.25 per page. For online searches, CaseSearch indexes probate case information for courts operating on the Kansas eCourt system, allowing you to look up estate case numbers and basic case details remotely before visiting the courthouse in person.