Kansas Vital Records

Kansas vital records are official documents that record key life events, including death, birth, marriage, and divorce. They serve as authoritative proof of these events and are essential for matters such as obtaining identification documents, settling estates, updating personal information, and conducting background or family history research.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics regulates and preserves vital records like death, birth, marriage, and divorce certificates. The Office keeps 10 million vital records, issuing over 360,000 certified copies of these certificates to eligible requestors annually. Vital records are deemed confidential under the Kansas public records law. They are only issued to record holders, their immediate family members, or their legal representatives.

Public Access to Kansas Vital Records

According to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) and K.S.A. 65-2422d, vital records are not open for public inspection. Therefore, requesters must meet specific eligibility requirements to obtain copies of such records. The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics only issues vital documents to the record holders, their immediate family members, or anyone with legal proof that the record is required to determine personal or property rights. Requests for Kansas vital records can be made online, by phone, through a mobile app, by mail, or in person.

Types of Vital Records Available in Kansas

There are several types of vital records in Kansas, including divorce, birth, death, and marriage records. The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics only issues certified copies of these records to eligible individuals. Some county clerk's offices in Kansas provide informational or uncertified copies of vital records from 1885 to 1911.

Kansas Birth Records

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics issues birth records from July 1, 1911. These records contain information such as the child's name, the parents' names, date and place of birth, and their place of residence, if different from the place of birth. Only individuals with a direct interest can obtain certified copies of Kansas birth certificates. Eligible individuals can get a birth certificate in Kansas online, by phone, by mail, through a mobile app, or in person at a state office.

Reference staff at the Kansas Historical Society can provide birth date verification to requesters for individuals born up to 1930. Birth records from 1885 and 1911 may be available at some county or city clerk's offices in register volumes. The Kansas Historical Society has microfilm copies of some county and city vital statistics registers.

Kansas Death Records

Requesters can find death certificates in Kansas from July 1, 1911, at the Office of Vital Statistics. Only individuals with a direct interest in the record are eligible to request certified copies. Those who do not meet the eligibility requirements may instead access the statewide death index provided by the Kansas Historical Society. Death records contain the following information:

• The deceased person's name
• The death date and place of death
• The cause of death and age at the time of death
• Occupation and place of birth
• The names of the deceased person's parents and their places of birth
• Name of the deceased person's spouse

Kansas Marriage Records

Members of the public can find marriage indexes from 1854 to 1861 on the Kansas Historical Society's website. However, certified copies of Kansas marriage records are only obtainable at the Office of Vital Statistics from May 1, 1913. These copies are confidential and can only be released to the married couples, their immediate family members, or anyone with legal proof that the record is needed to determine personal or property rights. Marriage certificates in Kansas typically contain the names of the bride and groom, the date of the marriage, and the location where the marriage took place. Parties involved in the marriage can obtain unofficial copies of their marriage records at the relevant Clerk of the District Court office, provided they present a government-issued photo identification in person.

Kansas Divorce Records

The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics maintains divorce certificates from July 1, 1951. These certificates contain the names of the divorced parties, the date of marriage, and the date of divorce. Divorce certificates are confidential in Kansas and are only open to the divorced parties, their family members, and legal representatives.

Divorce certificates differ from divorce decrees, which provide detailed information about the terms of the settlement. Individuals can obtain certified copies of divorce decrees from the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was filed. Divorce information is available to the public online, free of charge, through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal.

How to Order Vital Records in Kansas

Eligible individuals can order Kansas vital records from the Office of Vital Statistics via the following methods:

• Walk-in

Eligible individuals can walk into the Office of Vital Statistics's lobby from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to obtain copies of vital records. They will be required to complete an application form, provide a valid current photo ID, and pay the appropriate fees to obtain their desired records. The Office is located at the address below:

• Online and phone

The Office of Vital Statistics partners with an independent company to issue Kansas vital records online or by phone. Requests can be made anytime. Applicants must be willing to provide basic information that would facilitate the search.

• Mobile app

Applicants can download the IKAN app from their device's app store to order vital records in Kansas. Select "IKan - State of Kansas," follow the prompts, and pay the necessary fees. The processing time varies depending on the delivery method.

• Will call

Requesters should download the IKAN app to apply for vital records. The Office will send an email to the applicant when the certificate is ready for pick up. The processing time is usually the next business day. Applicants must visit the Office of Vital Statistics with a current, government-issued photo ID to collect their certificate.

• Regular/Priority mail

Applicants can submit a completed, signed Birth, Death, Divorce, or Marriage Application Form or send a letter with the following information to the Office:

• Specify the desired certificate
• The number of certified copies the applicant is requesting
• Full name as listed on the certificate
• Date of birth, sex, and place of birth
• Mother's maiden name and father's full name
• The applicant's relationship to the person named on the certificate
• Reason for requesting the certificate
• Phone number and mailing address
• The applicant's handwritten signature on the request

Send the request, along with a valid government-issued ID, the appropriate fees, and a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope by regular mail or priority mail service to the Office.

Who Can Request Kansas Vital Records?

Under K.S.A. 65-2422d, only individuals with a direct interest in the record or legal proof of a need to establish personal or property rights may request Kansas vital records. Specifically, anyone named on the record (excluding death records), their immediate family members, and authorized individuals are eligible to access vital records.

Record Type	Eligible Requestors	Required Documents	Official Source Link
Birth Certificate	Registrant (if adult) Parents/legal guardians Current spouse Adult children Grandparents Siblings Aunts/uncles Niece/nephew Authorized individuals	Require ID, proof of relationship, or court documents	K.S.A. 65-2409a
Death Certificate	The deceased person's immediate family members and authorized individuals.	A valid photo ID, proof of relationship, or court documents	Uniform Vital Statistics Act 65-2412
Marriage Record	Marriage certificates: spouses, their family members, or their legal representatives Unofficial copy of marriage records: parties involved in the marriage	A valid photo ID, proof of relationship, or court documents	K.S.A. 23€‘2512
Divorce Record	Divorce certificates: divorced parties, their immediate family members, and authorized individuals. Divorce decrees/information: anyone	Divorce certificates require a valid photo ID, proof of relationship, or court documents.	K.S.A. 65-2422b

Processing Times for Kansas Vital Records Requests

Kansas vital record processing times vary depending on the method of request. In-person requests are completed within about 15 to 20 minutes. Will Call orders are processed the same day or the next business day, while regular mail takes approximately 7 to 10 business days. Processing times may be extended if the record is difficult to locate or the request is large.

Record Type	Factors That Influence Processing Time	Considerations
Birth Certificate	Request method Verification of eligibility Delivery method Volume of requests Difficulty in locating the record	In-person requests are faster
Death Certificate	Request method Verification of eligibility Delivery method Volume of requests Difficulty in locating the record	In-person requests are faster
Marriage Record	Request method Verification of eligibility Delivery method Volume of requests Difficulty in locating the record	In-person requests are faster
Divorce Record	Request method Verification of eligibility Delivery method Volume of requests Difficulty in locating the record	In-person requests are faster

Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in Kansas

According to K.A.R. 28-17-6, certified copies of vital records cost $20.00 each. This fee covers a 5-year search of the records. A fee of $20 also applies for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously. Mobile app and will-call requests attract an extra $5 processing fee. The standard $20 fee for vital records will be retained even when the record is not located. Vital records fees in Kansas can be paid by money order, cash, check, or credit card, depending on the method of request.

How to Search Vital Records Online in Kansas

The Office of Vital Statistics partners with a third-party vendor for eligible individuals to search vital records online in Kansas. Online requests cost $20 for each certified copy plus $15 expedited service fee. The processing time takes 3 to 5 business days. Old or archived vital records are available online on the Kansas Historical Society website for free. Individuals seeking divorce records can use the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal to search these records. Users must register an account to access the documents.