Reno County Court Records Search
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Reno County, Kansas, is home to a multi-tiered court system anchored by the Reno County District Court, which serves as the 27th Judicial District of Kansas. Court records generated by these courts — including civil filings, criminal case documents, probate proceedings, and family law matters — are official documents that chronicle the legal history of cases heard in the county. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), the vast majority of these records are open for public inspection and copying, subject to specific statutory exemptions and court orders that restrict access to certain sensitive categories of information.
Searching for court records in Kansas is possible through a range of official channels — courthouse public terminals, the clerk’s office, written records requests, and online tools. KansasCourts.us may assist in locating publicly available case information from the state’s district courts, including cases filed in Reno County. For the most complete and verified records, the clerk’s office and official court portals remain the definitive sources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Reno County?
Reno County court records are accessible through several channels, depending on the type of record, the age of the case, and whether the record is available electronically.
Online Search — Kansas eCourt Public Access Portal
All Reno County District Court cases are now accessible through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal, which supports searches by case number, party name, business name, or citation number. The portal provides case information — parties involved, hearing dates, attorney names, and assigned judges — as well as electronic court documents for cases filed after the court joined the Kansas eCourt system. A guide on using the Portal’s Smart Search feature is available from the Kansas Judicial Branch. For older Reno County records, the Kansas Case Search tool provides access to records going back to April 1, 2003.
In-Person Search
A dedicated public access computer terminal is located on the first floor of the Reno County Courthouse, behind security. This terminal allows free searches of court records from January 1992 to the present. Terminal hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Mail and Email Requests
Written records requests must include the case number. Requests can be emailed to rn.info@kscourts.gov or mailed with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Clerk of the District Court, Attn: Records
206 W 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67501
The Kansas Judicial Branch also provides a Request Form for Court Records for formal written requests.
Reno County District Court
Address: 206 West 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone: (620) 694-2956
Fax: (620) 694-2958
Clerk of the District Court: Amanda Flores
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (public terminal: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Municipal Courts in Reno County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson Municipal Court | 210 West 1st, P.O. Box 1567, Hutchinson, KS 67504 | (620) 694-2835 |
| Nickerson Municipal Court | 15 North Nickerson Street, Nickerson, KS 67561 | (620) 422-5981 |
| Buhler Municipal Court | 219 North Main, P.O. Box 187, Buhler, KS 67522 | (620) 543-2253 |
| Arlington Municipal Court | 111 West Main Street, P.O. Box 377, Arlington, KS 67514 | (620) 538-2818 |
| Haven Municipal Court | 120 South Kansas Avenue, P.O. Box 356, Haven, KS 67543 | (620) 465-3415 |
| Pretty Prairie Municipal Court | 119 West Main Street, P.O. Box 68, Pretty Prairie, KS 67570 | (620) 459-6392 |
| South Hutchinson Municipal Court | 10 East Blanchard Avenue, South Hutchinson, KS 67505 | (620) 560-6251 |
| Sylvia Municipal Court | 121 South Main, P.O. Box 247, Sylvia, KS 67581 | (620) 486-2472 |
| Turon Municipal Court | 501 East Price Street, P.O. Box 366, Turon, KS 67583 | (620) 497-6443 |
| Abbeville Municipal Court | 100 North Abby Street, Abbyville, KS 67510 | (620) 286-5643 |
Are Court Records Public in Reno County?
Kansas law establishes a clear public policy of open government. The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) declares that public records shall be open for inspection by any person, unless otherwise restricted by law. This policy applies broadly to records created, filed, and maintained by state and local government offices, including the courts. The Kansas Judicial Branch is required to act on a records request by the end of the third business day after receipt. If additional time is needed, the requester must be notified.
However, significant categories of court records are exempt from public disclosure under KORA, court rules, and various Kansas statutes. Records that are not available to the public in Reno County include:
- Expunged criminal records
- Adoption records
- Juvenile records and juvenile offender proceedings
- Grand jury proceedings
- Certain criminal investigation records
- Parentage cases filed under the Kansas Parentage Act, K.S.A. 23-2201 et seq.
- Divorce records
- Protection from abuse proceedings
- Guardianship and conservatorship cases
- Parental bypass cases
- Grand jury and inquisition proceedings under K.S.A. 22-3101 through K.S.A. 22-3105
- Uniform interstate enforcement of domestic violence protection orders
Sealed cases and sealed records are never available through public terminals or the online portal. For a comprehensive list of exemptions, review K.S.A. 45-221.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies | $0.25 per page |
| Certified document | $10.00 per document |
| Mailing (first 5 pages) | $0.50 |
| Mailing (each additional 5 pages) | $0.25 |
| Faxing | $0.50 per page (max 15 pages) |
| Staff time (records custodian/clerical) | $20.00/hour (billed in quarter-hour increments) |
| Professional staff time | $60.00/hour (billed in quarter-hour increments) |
| Archived/vaulted records | $35.00 per request |
| Hourly research (Reno County) | $18.57 per hour |
Reno County Criminal Court Records
The Reno County District Court holds original jurisdiction over all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases filed in the county. Municipal courts across Reno County handle lower-level ordinance violations and traffic matters within their respective city or township limits.
Court-Held Criminal Records
Criminal case files, dockets, hearing records, final judgments, and sentencing orders maintained by the District Court clerk can be searched through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal or accessed at the courthouse public terminal. Kansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 156 directs that requests for criminal record searches for employment, credit, or background check purposes be referred to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation rather than the court clerk.
Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) — Criminal History Records
The KBI is the primary statewide repository for criminal history records. Its Kansas Criminal History Record Check system allows authorized searches using fingerprint identification. The Kansas Government Access Portal requires user registration before searches can be conducted. Criminal history record checks are fee-based, and the fee and scope of information released depend on Kansas statutes and regulations. The KBI also maintains the Kansas Registered Offenders database, providing public access to information on individuals convicted of sex, drug, and violent offenses.
Additionally, the Kansas Department of Corrections offers an offender search tool for locating individuals in state custody.
Reno County Sheriff’s Office — Local Arrest and Jail Records
The Reno County Sheriff’s Office maintains local arrest records and jail booking information. The Reno County Public Safety portal provides access to jail logs, booking information, wanted persons bulletins, and current inmate data for the Reno County Correctional Facility. For in-person inquiries, visit or contact:
Reno County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 210 W. First Ave., Hutchinson, KS
Phone: (620) 694-2735
Email: randy.henderson@renolec.com
For inmate visitation, account, or mail inquiries, contact the Reno County Correctional Facility at (620) 694-2741.
Reno County Civil Court Records
The Reno County District Court has broad original jurisdiction over all civil matters, including contract disputes, damage suits, real property actions, landlord-tenant cases, and small claims. The court’s clerk maintains all civil case filings and is the designated records custodian for civil proceedings.
Searching Civil Records
- Use the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal to search civil case information by party name, case number, or business name.
- Visit the public access terminal on the first floor of the Reno County Courthouse (available 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
- For records not available online, submit a written request by email to rn.info@kscourts.gov or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Filing Methods
The Reno County District Court accepts filings in person, by mail, by fax, and via the drop box located in the entrance of the Law Enforcement Center. Electronic filing is also available; relevant rules and training resources are linked from the Reno County District Court page.
Forms and Self-Help
Pro se litigants can access forms and self-help resources through the Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help Resources page. Local court rules governing Reno County civil proceedings are set forth in the Local Court Rules for the 27th Judicial District, available on the District Court’s website.
Note on Sensitive Civil Records: Juvenile cases and many family law filings — including protection from abuse and guardianship matters — are not available through the public portal or the courthouse terminal. These restricted matters require specific authorization or court order for access.
Reno County Family Court Records
The Reno County District Court handles all family law matters, including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, parenting time, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and paternity cases. As noted above, several family law categories are explicitly restricted from public access under Kansas law.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees — the detailed court orders addressing property division, custody, spousal support, and case disposition — are maintained by the District Court clerk. While divorce proceedings are listed as a restricted category under KORA, divorce decrees that are final judgments may be accessible; requesters should contact the clerk’s office directly at (620) 694-2956 to confirm availability for a specific case. Divorce certificates (summary documents confirming the event) are held by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics, for events recorded from July 1, 1951 to the present.
Protection from Abuse Records
Protection from abuse proceedings are restricted from public access under Kansas law and are not available through the online portal or public terminal.
Marriage Records
Marriage records from July 1, 1913 to the present are maintained by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics. Marriages recorded before that date should be requested from the Reno County Clerk’s office. Vital records in Kansas are not considered public records; certified copies are released only to the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a court order or demonstrated direct interest. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage record is $15.00 per copy.
Requests can be made by phone at (877) 305-8315 (available 24 hours for phone orders) or by mail to:
Office of Vital Statistics
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Reno County from July 1, 1911 to the present are available through the Office of Vital Statistics. The current fee is $20.00 per certified copy (plus a $15.00 fee for expedited service). Records predating July 1, 1911 for births, and July 1, 1951 for divorces, are held by the Reno County Clerk’s office. Contact the Office of Vital Statistics at (877) 305-8315 or visit the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics page for current request instructions and forms.
Reno County Probate Court Records
The Reno County District Court exercises jurisdiction over all probate matters in the county. The court handles estate administration, will validations, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships, conservatorships, and proceedings related to the care of individuals with mental illness. Probate court records date back to 1873 at the District Court.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched online through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal or at the public access terminal located on the first floor of the Reno County Courthouse. However, guardianship and conservatorship case records are restricted from public access under Kansas law and are not available through either the portal or the public terminal.
How to Request Probate Records
- Identify the case number for the probate matter if known.
- Search the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal for case information.
- For document copies, submit a written request — by email to rn.info@kscourts.gov or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope — to the Clerk of the District Court.
- Pay applicable fees: $0.25 per page for copies, $10.00 per certified document, and $18.57 per hour for staff research time.
- Valid identification may be required before a request is processed.
Reno County District Court — Probate Division
Address: 206 West 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone: (620) 694-2956
Fax: (620) 694-2958
Email: rn.info@kscourts.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For matters involving older historical probate filings or records stored in the county’s underground vaults, requesters should be aware that archived records requests carry a fee of $35.00. The Reno County Register of Deeds also maintains related property transfer records that may be relevant to estate research.