Riley County Court Records Search
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Riley County is situated in northeastern Kansas, with Manhattan serving as the county seat and the region’s primary population center. The county is part of the 21st Judicial District, which also includes Clay County. The Riley County District Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction, presiding over criminal cases, civil lawsuits, domestic relations matters, juvenile cases, probate proceedings, and small claims. Two municipal courts — Manhattan Municipal Court and Ogden Municipal Court — handle traffic infractions and city ordinance violations within their respective jurisdictions. This guide covers the practical steps for locating, requesting, and searching court records maintained by these courts and other Riley County agencies.
Kansas provides several avenues for accessing court case records, including clerk offices, in-person terminals at courthouses, and web-based search tools. The statewide Kansas Case Search portal, operated by the Kansas Judicial Branch, allows the public to look up district court case information online. KansasCourts.us may also help individuals find court-related resources and information across the state. Riley County’s own website publishes daily court dockets and provides links to case search systems.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Riley County?
Riley County offers multiple methods for searching court case records, from digital tools to in-person visits at the courthouse in Manhattan.
Online Case Search
The Kansas Case Search portal is the primary online resource for looking up Riley County District Court records. This statewide system replaced the former Public Access Portal and allows searches by case number, party name, business name, or citation number. Case information permitted by law to be viewed by the public is displayed through the portal, though additional details may be available at courthouse public access terminals.
Court Dockets
The Riley County District Court publishes a daily court docket on the county website. The docket is sorted by date, time, and judge, and is updated each business day. Users can search the docket PDF using Ctrl-F to locate a specific plaintiff, defendant, or case number. For any questions about scheduled hearings or docket entries, contact the Clerk’s office at (785) 537-6364.
In-Person Requests
Court records can be inspected at the Riley County District Court during clerk office hours. Public access terminals at the courthouse may display additional case information not available through the online portal.
Written Records Requests
Under the Kansas Open Records Act, records requests must be submitted in writing. The Kansas Judicial Branch provides a Request Form for Court Records that can be used for this purpose. Requests are typically processed within three business days. If additional time is needed, the clerk’s office will provide notice.
Court Locations and Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riley County District Court | 100 Courthouse Plaza, P.O. Box 158, Manhattan, KS 66502 | (785) 537-6364 | (785) 537-6382 |
| Manhattan Municipal Court | 610 Colorado Street, Manhattan, KS 66502 | (785) 587-2450 | (785) 587-2459 |
| Ogden Municipal Court | 222 Riley Avenue, P.O. Box C, Ogden, KS 66517 | (785) 539-0311 | (785) 539-3115 |
Office Hours
- Riley County District Court Clerk: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Manhattan Municipal Court: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Fees for Court Record Copies
The judicial administrator has established the following standard fees for open records requests at Kansas district courts:
| 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 |
| Fax: (limit 15 pages) | $0.50 per page |
| Document preparation (clerical) | $20.00 per hour (quarter-hour increments) |
| Document preparation (professional) | $60.00 per hour (quarter-hour increments) |
Individual district courts may assess fees that differ from these amounts. You may be required to pay estimated costs in advance before the request is processed.
Self-Help Resources
Individuals representing themselves can find forms at Kansas Legal Services and the Kansas Judicial Council. Information about electronic filing with the Riley County District Court is available through the Kansas Judicial Branch e-filing page. The court’s administrative order regarding electronic filing outlines local e-filing requirements.
Are Court Records Public in Riley County?
Kansas court records are generally open to the public under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), codified at K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. The Act mandates that custodians of public records — including court clerks — designate officers to handle record requests and respond within three business days. Fees charged for retrieving and copying records must be reasonable and within the actual cost of production.
While most case filings, judgments, docket entries, and orders are available for public inspection, certain records are exempt from disclosure under K.S.A. 45-221, Kansas Supreme Court rules, or specific court orders. Records that are commonly restricted include:
- Sealed or expunged criminal records (typically available only to the record subject and law enforcement)
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Identifying information about minor case parties
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Information from ongoing investigations or active litigation that could compromise case integrity
- Sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and financial account details
- Records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Personal information about public employees
If a records request is denied, the court must identify the specific legal authority for the denial. The 21st Judicial District local court rules may contain additional provisions regarding records access specific to Riley and Clay Counties.
Riley County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Riley County — both felonies and misdemeanors — are adjudicated by the District Court. The municipal courts in Manhattan and Ogden handle traffic offenses and violations of city ordinances. Criminal case records include charging documents, motions, plea entries, sentencing orders, and disposition information.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case dockets and records can be searched through the Kansas Case Search portal by entering the defendant’s name or case number. The daily court docket on the county website also lists upcoming criminal court hearings.
Riley County Police Department — Arrest and Incident Records
The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for Riley County and maintains criminal records, arrest records, and incident reports. The Records Division handles public requests.
To obtain records from the RCPD:
- Download and complete the Request for Copy of Records form.
- Submit the form in person, by mail, by fax at (785) 565-6550, or by email to records@rileycountypolice.org.
- Pay the applicable fee — $5.00 per incident report.
Riley County Police Department
Address: 1001 South Seth Child Road, Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-2112 ext. 0
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on public holidays)
Crash Reports
Crash reports filed after January 1, 2018, can be obtained online through Crashdocs by entering the report number, date of accident, and driver’s last name. Reports filed before that date must be requested in person or by mail for a $5.00 fee per report.
Local Background Checks
The RCPD performs local background checks covering Riley County only. The cost is $10.00 per application. Submit a completed request form in person, by mail, or by email. Note that three other agencies also serve the Manhattan/Riley County area and may hold additional records: Kansas State University Police Department at (785) 532-6412, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 457-3353, and the Kansas Highway Patrol at (785) 296-6800.
Statewide Criminal History — Kansas Bureau of Investigation
For a comprehensive Kansas criminal history check, the KBI Criminal History Record Search website provides name-based searches. The online search costs $30.00 and is available daily between 4:00 a.m. and midnight Central Time. In-person fingerprint-based checks can be conducted at KBI headquarters in Topeka for $10.00 (due at time of service), Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kansas District Court Filing Fees — Criminal Cases
Per the Kansas district court fee schedule:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal Felony | $193.00 |
| Criminal Misdemeanor | $158.00 |
| Criminal Murder/Manslaughter | $202.50 |
Riley County Civil Court Records
The Riley County District Court handles the full range of civil litigation, including contract disputes, property damage claims, personal injury suits, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims. Municipal courts in Manhattan and Ogden may also have civil jurisdiction over certain local code violations.
Searching Civil Case Records
Civil case records are accessible through the Kansas Case Search portal and on the Riley County court docket. To request specific documents from a civil case file, submit a written request to the Clerk of the District Court using the Request Form for Court Records.
Civil Filing Fees
The following fees apply to civil cases filed in the Riley County District Court per the statewide fee schedule:
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| General Civil (Chapter 60) | $195.00 |
| Domestic Relations | $195.00 |
| Conservatorship | $91.50 |
| County Code Violation | $20.00 |
Small Claims
Small claims cases in Riley County are filed with the District Court. Per the Riley County FAQ, filing fees are:
- Claims under $500: $47.50
- Claims from $500.01 to $4,000: $67.50
A separate sheriff’s fee of $15.00 applies for service of a small claims summons. Inquirers filing small claims must provide the addresses of the individuals being served.
Property Records
Property-related records — including deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens — are maintained by the Riley County Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds office provides public access terminals and also offers a remote access subscription service through iDocMarket for searching land records dating back to 1853. For property tax and appraisal data, the Riley County Appraiser maintains an online tax search tool where users can look up information by name, tax ID, or tax year. Record requests at the Appraiser’s office require completing an Open Record Request Form, and a fee schedule applies.
Register of Deeds
Address: 110 Courthouse Plaza, 2nd Floor, Room B202, Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-6340
Fax: (785) 537-6343
Appraiser’s Office
Address: 110 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-6310
Fax: (785) 537-6312
Riley County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases in Riley County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protection from abuse orders — are handled by the District Court. The Clerk of the District Court maintains all family law case files.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees granted in Riley County are part of the District Court record and can be located through the Kansas Case Search portal or by contacting the Clerk’s office at (785) 537-6364. To request a certified copy, submit a written request with the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and any available case number. The standard certified copy fee is $10.00 per document, plus $0.25 per page for copies.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Office of Vital Statistics also maintains a divorce certificate repository. Certificates can be ordered for events recorded statewide.
Marriage Records
The Riley County District Court conducts marriages for licenses issued in the county, and related records are filed with the court clerk. Marriage records are largely public. Interested parties should contact the Clerk of the District Court with the names of the parties involved and the approximate date of the marriage.
The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics also maintains marriage records statewide. Records can be requested in person, by phone, or by mail; fees and processing times vary depending on the request method.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records — while not court records — are frequently needed in family law proceedings. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment manages birth certificate and death certificate requests. These records are confidential in Kansas and may only be obtained by the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or third parties who can demonstrate a direct and tangible legal interest. Requesters must complete a birth application or death application and submit it to:
Office of Vital Statistics
Address: 1000 Southwest Jackson Street, Suite 120, Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1400
The Riley County Register of Deeds also maintains death certificates for county residents and may be contacted for inquiries.
Domestic Violence and Protection Orders
Protection from abuse and protection from stalking orders are filed through the District Court. Information about protection orders is available on the Riley County District Court page.
Riley County Probate Court Records
Riley County does not operate a standalone probate court. All probate matters are handled by the District Court under its general jurisdiction. Probate cases include the administration of deceased persons’ estates, validation and contest of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, trusts, and name changes.
Where Probate Records Are Maintained
Probate case files are held by the Clerk of the District Court at the Riley County Courthouse (100 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS 66502). The clerk’s office handles all filings, maintains case records, and facilitates public access to probate documents.
How to Search Probate Records
Probate case information may be available through the Kansas Case Search portal. For detailed documents — such as wills, inventories, accountings, or guardianship orders — submit a written request to the Clerk of the District Court. Provide the case number or the name of the decedent or ward, along with any other identifying details.
Public Access to Probate Records
Most probate records are open for public inspection, including filed wills, petitions, inventories, and court orders. However, some materials within guardianship or conservatorship cases — particularly medical evaluations or financial disclosures — may be restricted under Kansas law. The clerk’s office can advise on the availability of specific documents.
Requesting Probate Records
- Determine the case number or the name of the decedent/ward.
- Submit a written request using the Kansas Judicial Branch Request Form for Court Records or contact the Clerk directly.
- Pay applicable copy fees ($0.25 per page for standard copies; $10.00 per document for certification).
- Allow up to three business days for processing.
For probate-related questions, call the Riley County District Court Clerk’s office at (785) 537-6364 during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).