McPherson County Court Records Search
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McPherson County, located in central Kansas with McPherson as its county seat, maintains an organized court system that processes thousands of cases each year across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. The official records generated by these proceedings — including case filings, dockets, judgments, orders, and transcripts — form the permanent documentary record of every case handled within the county. Because these records carry legal weight and can be essential for background checks, legal research, genealogy, and business purposes, understanding how to locate and request them is a practical necessity for many county residents.
Accessing Kansas Court Records
Court records in Kansas can be located through courthouse clerk offices, public access computer terminals at each courthouse, and several online platforms. KansasCourts.us may help users identify publicly available case information and direct them to the appropriate court or search tool for their needs. Official court resources, the district clerk’s office, and the Kansas eCourt online portal are the primary channels for finding and obtaining court records in McPherson County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McPherson County?
The McPherson County District Court is the central repository for court records in the county. Clerk of the District Court Cindy Teter and her staff maintain case files spanning civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, small claims, and traffic matters. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
McPherson County District Court
Address: 117 North Maple Street, P.O. Box 1106, McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 241-3422
Fax: (620) 241-1372
District Court Administrator: Micah Larson — (620) 241-3510
Online Search Options
Kansas has transitioned its courts to a centralized eCourt case management system, making records available through two main online tools:
- Kansas Case Search (CaseSearch) — the primary statewide portal for searching McPherson County District Court cases by case number, party name, business name, or citation number
- Kansas District Court Public Access Portal — provides access to case documents filed after McPherson County began operating on the eCourt system; documents filed before that transition date are available at the courthouse terminal
Each courthouse also maintains a public-use computer terminal reserved for on-site case and records searches. Sealed cases and records exempt under state law are not accessible through either the online portal or courthouse terminals.
In-Person and Mail Requests
To request copies of specific documents from a case file, a written request must be submitted. The Kansas courts provide a Request Form for Court Records for this purpose. Staff are required to act on written requests by the end of the third business day after receipt. If additional time is needed, the requester will be notified.
Standard copy and transmittal fees established by the Kansas judicial administrator include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies | $0.25 per page |
| Certification per document | $10.00 |
| Mailing (first 5 pages) | $0.50 |
| Mailing (each additional 5 pages) | $0.25 |
| Fax: (per page, up to 15 pages) | $0.50 |
| Records custodian/clerical time | $20.00/hour (quarter-hour increments) |
| Professional employee time | $60.00/hour (quarter-hour increments) |
Note that individual district courts may set fees higher or lower than these judicial administrator standards. Requesters may be required to pay an estimated cost before the request is processed.
Are Court Records Public in McPherson County?
Kansas court records are governed primarily by the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), which declares that public records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by law. The statute reinforces a strong presumption of openness while identifying specific categories of records that may be withheld.
The comprehensive list of KORA exemptions is codified at K.S.A. 45-221. For court records specifically, the Kansas courts have also identified the following categories as not available to the public:
- Adoption records
- Certain criminal investigation records
- Expunged criminal records
- Many child in need of care (CINC) and juvenile records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Personal information about public employees
Additionally, Supreme Court Rule 22 governs access to electronic district court case records and identifies which records are accessible through the eCourt public access portal versus those that must be reviewed in person at the courthouse.
Where a record contains both restricted and public information, courts are expected to separate the exempt portions and provide the non-exempt content to the requester. If a request is denied in whole or in part, the court must identify the specific legal authority for the denial. Courts cannot be compelled to create a new record or produce a report that does not already exist, nor can they fill bulk data requests.
McPherson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in McPherson County are handled by the McPherson County District Court, which is part of Kansas’s 9th Judicial District — encompassing both Harvey and McPherson Counties under Chief Judge Michael Llamas. The District Court has jurisdiction over felony and misdemeanor criminal matters for the county. Misdemeanor traffic and ordinance violations occurring within the City of McPherson are additionally heard by the McPherson Municipal Court.
McPherson Municipal Court
Address: 113 North Ash Street, McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 245-2507
Fax: (620) 245-2503
The county’s seven municipal courts — Canton, Galva, Inman, Lindsborg, Marquette, McPherson, and Moundridge — handle local ordinance violations and misdemeanor traffic matters within their respective city limits.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records at the district court level are searchable through Kansas CaseSearch, using a party name or case number. Both felony and misdemeanor district court case records are covered by this system. Municipal court records are maintained separately by each city and are not available through the state CaseSearch portal.
District court criminal filing fees include:
- Criminal Felony: $193.00
- Criminal Misdemeanor: $158.00
- Criminal Murder/Manslaughter: $202.50
Arrest Records and Criminal History
Arrest records that resulted in criminal charges may appear within a district court case file. For a broader criminal history search, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provides a statewide Kansas Criminal History Record Check. Arrest records not tied to a court proceeding are maintained by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office. The county also publishes a Jail Inmate Roster on the McPherson County website showing persons recently booked or housed at the county jail. For non-emergent inquiries, the Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (620) 245-1225.
Expunged criminal records are not available to the public under KORA and cannot be accessed through court terminals or online portals.
McPherson County Civil Court Records
The McPherson County District Court handles all civil matters in the county, including personal injury claims, contract disputes, property damage cases, mortgage foreclosures, and eminent domain proceedings. Small claims cases — disputes involving amounts up to $10,000 — are also heard within the district court’s small claims division.
Civil case filing fees at the Kansas district court level include:
- Civil (general): $195.00
- Small Claims (up to $500): $35.00
- Small Claims ($500.01–$10,000): $67.50
- Dispositive Motions/Motion for Summary Judgment: per applicable schedule
Requesters unable to pay filing fees may submit a Poverty Affidavit to request a waiver of all or part of the applicable fees.
Searching and Requesting Civil Records
Civil case information from McPherson County is searchable online through Kansas CaseSearch. To obtain actual case documents, a written records request must be submitted to the Clerk of the District Court. Requests may be made in person at the courthouse during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) or by mail to:
McPherson County District Court Clerk
117 North Maple Street, P.O. Box 1106
McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 241-3422
Court forms for civil filings, including small claims, are available through the Kansas Judicial Council. The Kansas Courts Public page also links to a variety of civil records search resources and self-help materials.
Legal services assistance for qualifying individuals is available through Kansas Legal Services. Applications can be obtained at the district court and are processed by KLS staff, who schedule monthly appointments at the McPherson County District Court.
McPherson County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations proceedings — are handled by the McPherson County District Court. Protective orders and adoptions also fall within the court’s jurisdiction, though adoption records are sealed under Kansas law and are not available to the general public.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings are filed with the Clerk of the District Court. The clerk maintains divorce case files and handles certified copy requests. In-person and mail-in requests should be directed to the district court clerk at 117 North Maple Street. Copies of divorce case documents are subject to the standard copy fee schedule ($0.25 per page, $10.00 for certification).
For divorce certificates issued by the state, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies at $20 per certified copy. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or by calling (785) 296-1400. Credit card orders can be placed at (877) 305-8315. The KDHE mailing address is:
KDHE Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120
Topeka, Kansas 66612-2221
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the McPherson County District Court Clerk. Marriage records are restricted by Kansas law to the couple themselves, their direct relatives, legal representatives, and those who can demonstrate a direct or legal interest. Certified marriage certificates may be requested through the KDHE Marriage Certificate portal at a fee of $20 per certified copy, plus a $15 expedited service fee where applicable. Physical requests can also be submitted to the district court clerk or to the KDHE Vital Statistics office.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records are maintained by the McPherson County Clerk for records predating July 1, 1911, and by the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics for records from July 1, 1911 onward. Birth records are restricted to the individual named (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, siblings, spouses, children, legal representatives, and those with documented legal need. Death records are likewise restricted to immediate family and those with a direct, tangible interest.
- Birth Certificate requests:KDHE Birth Certificate portal or in person/mail to the McPherson County Clerk
- Death Certificate requests:KDHE Death Certificate portal or the county clerk
McPherson County Clerk
Address: 117 N. Maple Street, P.O. Box 425, McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 241-3656
Fax: (620) 241-1168
Child Support and Court Services
Child support matters are administered through the District Court. The 9th Judicial District Court Services office, reachable at (620) 241-3510, is responsible for supervising both juvenile and adult offenders within the district, including those subject to domestic relations orders. Court Services is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is located at the McPherson County Courthouse.
McPherson County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in McPherson County rests with the District Court, which handles all matters related to the administration of decedents’ estates, the admission of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, mental health commitments, adoptions, and name changes. There is no separate probate court — these cases are processed through the same district court structure as civil and criminal matters.
Probate docket hearings are scheduled through the Circuit Court Administration Office. Probate case information is searchable online through Kansas CaseSearch, and case documents filed after McPherson County’s transition to the Kansas eCourt system are accessible through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. Earlier probate records are available at the courthouse public terminal or by written records request.
Probate filing fees include:
- Conservatorship: $91.50
- Guardianship with a minor child: $91.50
Requesting Probate Records
Written requests for probate case documents should be submitted to the district court clerk. Requesters should provide the name of the deceased or protected individual, the case number if known, and approximate filing dates. Copies are priced at $0.25 per page, with a $10.00 certification fee per document. Note that adoption records are sealed under Kansas law and cannot be released through a standard public records request.
McPherson County District Court (Probate Division)
Address: 117 North Maple Street, P.O. Box 1106, McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 241-3422
Fax: (620) 241-1372
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For self-represented individuals navigating probate matters, the Kansas Self-Help Center offers resources and the Kansas Legal Services Self-Help Center at McPherson County District Court provides monthly legal assistance appointments for qualifying residents.