Sedgwick County Court Records
What Is Sedgwick County Court Records
Court records in Sedgwick County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records consist of case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. Pursuant to Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), court records are distinct from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics, or tax assessments.
The following courts maintain records in Sedgwick County:
- 18th Judicial District Court (District Court)
- Sedgwick County Municipal Courts
- Wichita Municipal Court
- Probate Court (Division of District Court)
- Family Court (Division of District Court)
- Small Claims Court (Division of District Court)
Court records include documentation from civil proceedings (such as lawsuits, small claims, and probate matters), criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors), family law matters (divorces, child custody, adoptions), probate proceedings, and traffic violations. According to § 45-217(g)(1) of the Kansas Statutes, these records are defined as "public records" when they are "made, maintained or kept by or in the possession of any public agency."
Are Court Records Public In Sedgwick County
Court records in Sedgwick County are generally public pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) and the Kansas Supreme Court Rules. Under § 45-216 of the Kansas Statutes, "it is declared to be the public policy of the state that public records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this act."
The following court records are typically accessible to the public:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Court calendars
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (which has a courthouse in Wichita) are governed by federal access rules rather than state laws. These records are accessible through the federal PACER system.
The Kansas Supreme Court has established Rule 22 regarding public access to district court records, which provides specific guidance on which records are open and which may be restricted.
How To Find Court Records in Sedgwick County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Sedgwick County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county currently maintains both physical and digital repositories of court records.
To obtain court records in person:
- Identify the specific court that holds the records of interest
- Visit the court clerk's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form, providing case number, party names, and filing dates if known
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees (currently $0.25 per page for standard copies)
Sedgwick County District Court Clerk
525 N. Main, 1st Floor
Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 660-5900
18th Judicial District Court
For remote requests:
- Download the Public Access Request Form from the Kansas Courts website
- Complete the form with all required information
- Submit via mail, email, or fax to the appropriate court clerk
- Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order)
- Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery if requesting physical copies
Pursuant to § 45-220 of the Kansas Statutes, agencies must respond to records requests within three business days. Complex requests may require additional time, in which case the requestor will receive notification of the delay and estimated completion date.
How To Look Up Court Records in Sedgwick County Online?
Sedgwick County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records online. These systems vary by court type and record category.
For District Court records:
- Visit the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal
- Select "Sedgwick County" from the dropdown menu
- Create a user account or log in as a guest
- Search by case number, party name, filing date, or case type
- Review search results and select desired case
- View available documents or docket information
For Wichita Municipal Court records:
- Access the Wichita Municipal Court Case Search
- Enter search criteria (case number, name, citation number)
- Review results and select case of interest
- View available case information and status
The Kansas Courts eCourt system provides a centralized search function for cases across multiple jurisdictions:
- Navigate to the Kansas Courts eCourt website
- Select search parameters (jurisdiction, case type, date range)
- Enter party name or case number
- Review and select from search results
- Access available case information and documents
Users should note that while basic case information is generally available online, complete case files with all documents may require in-person requests or formal records requests for access.
How To Search Sedgwick County Court Records for Free?
Kansas law guarantees free public inspection of court records under § 45-218(a), which states: "All public records shall be open for inspection by any person, except as otherwise provided by this act." While inspection is free, copy fees may apply.
The following resources provide free access to Sedgwick County court records:
- Public access terminals at the Sedgwick County District Court Clerk's Office (525 N. Main, Wichita)
- Kansas District Court Public Access Portal (basic case information available without fees)
- Wichita Municipal Court Case Search (free online access)
- Kansas Courts eCourt system (free basic search functionality)
For in-person inspection:
- Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files
- Present identification if required
- Use provided viewing areas to examine records
- Request copies of specific documents if needed (fees apply)
While online systems provide free search capabilities, some advanced features or document downloads may incur fees. The Kansas Judicial Branch maintains these systems and establishes fee structures in accordance with state law.
What's Included in a Sedgwick County Court Record?
Court records in Sedgwick County contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but typically include:
For Civil Cases:
- Complaint or petition initiating the case
- Summons and proof of service
- Answers and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Discovery documents (if filed with the court)
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Appeal documents (if applicable)
For Criminal Cases:
- Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
- Arrest warrant or summons
- Bond information
- Plea documents
- Motions and responses
- Evidence inventory
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (may be confidential)
- Sentencing orders
- Probation/parole documents
- Appeal filings (if applicable)
For Family Law Cases:
- Petition for divorce, custody, or support
- Financial affidavits
- Parenting plans
- Child support worksheets
- Property settlement agreements
- Temporary and final orders
- Guardian ad litem reports (may be confidential)
For Probate Cases:
- Petition for probate
- Inventory of estate assets
- Will (if applicable)
- Claims against the estate
- Accounting reports
- Distribution orders
Each case file also contains a register of actions (docket sheet) that chronologically lists all proceedings and filings in the case, providing a comprehensive index of the record.
How Long Does Sedgwick County Keep Court Records?
Sedgwick County maintains court records according to the Kansas Judicial Records Retention Schedule, which is established pursuant to § 20-159 of the Kansas Statutes. This schedule mandates specific retention periods based on case type and document classification.
Key retention periods include:
- Felony case files: Permanent for Class A and B felonies; 50 years for other felonies
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic cases: 5 years after case closure
- Civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
- Domestic relations cases: 10 years after final decree
- Probate cases: 10 years after estate closing
- Small claims: 5 years after judgment
- Juvenile offender cases: Until the individual reaches age 25 or 10 years after case closure, whichever is later
- Adoption records: Permanent
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanent
The Kansas Supreme Court has authorized the conversion of paper records to electronic format for long-term storage. After digitization, original paper documents may be destroyed according to the schedule, provided the electronic versions are maintained for the required retention period.
Records with historical significance may be transferred to the Kansas State Archives for permanent preservation after their active retention period expires.
Types of Courts In Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County's court system consists of several jurisdictions that handle different types of cases:
18th Judicial District Court
525 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 660-5800
18th Judicial District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The District Court has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters and is divided into specialized divisions:
- Civil Department
- Criminal Department
- Family Law Department
- Probate Department
- Juvenile Department
Wichita Municipal Court
455 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 268-4611
Wichita Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Sedgwick County Small Claims Court
(Division of District Court)
525 N. Main, 1st Floor
Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 660-5900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The court hierarchy in Kansas proceeds from Municipal Courts (handling city ordinance violations) to District Courts (with general jurisdiction), then to the Kansas Court of Appeals, and finally to the Kansas Supreme Court as the highest judicial authority in the state.
What Types of Cases Do Sedgwick County Courts Hear?
Sedgwick County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:
The 18th Judicial District Court handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil lawsuits exceeding $25,000
- Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate and estate matters
- Juvenile proceedings (delinquency and child in need of care)
- Appeals from municipal courts
- Real estate and property disputes
- Mental health commitments
- Adoption proceedings
- Protection from abuse/stalking orders
Wichita Municipal Court adjudicates:
- City ordinance violations
- Traffic infractions within city limits
- Parking violations
- Minor misdemeanors occurring within city limits
- Code enforcement violations
- Animal control violations
Sedgwick County Small Claims Court processes:
- Civil claims not exceeding $4,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Consumer issues
- Minor property damage claims
- Contract disputes under the monetary threshold
These jurisdictional boundaries are established by § 20-301 for district courts and § 12-4104 for municipal courts under Kansas law.
How To Find a Court Docket In Sedgwick County
Court dockets in Sedgwick County are accessible through multiple channels, providing information about scheduled hearings, case status, and proceedings.
To access District Court dockets:
- Visit the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal
- Select "Sedgwick County" from the jurisdiction menu
- Choose "Dockets/Calendars" from the search options
- Enter search parameters (date range, judge, case type)
- Review the resulting docket information
For in-person docket access:
- Visit the District Court Clerk's office (525 N. Main, 1st Floor)
- Request to view the daily or weekly docket
- Specify the division or judge of interest
- Review posted docket sheets in public areas of the courthouse
For Wichita Municipal Court dockets:
- Access the Wichita Municipal Court website
- Navigate to the "Court Dockets" section
- Search by date, courtroom, or case type
- Review scheduled hearings and cases
Attorneys and registered users can access more detailed docket information through the Kansas Courts eCourt system, which provides case management features and electronic filing capabilities.
Daily dockets are typically posted in public areas of each courthouse and updated regularly to reflect schedule changes or continuances.
Which Courts in Sedgwick County Are Not Courts of Record?
A "court not of record" is a judicial body that does not maintain comprehensive transcripts of its proceedings and whose decisions may be appealed for a completely new trial (trial de novo) rather than on the record of the original proceeding. In Kansas, these courts are defined by § 20-302b.
In Sedgwick County, the following are courts not of record:
- Wichita Municipal Court
- Other municipal courts within Sedgwick County (Derby, Haysville, Park City, etc.)
These courts typically handle:
- Traffic violations
- City ordinance infractions
- Minor misdemeanors
- Code enforcement matters
When a case is appealed from a court not of record, it proceeds to the District Court for a completely new trial, as if the original proceeding had not occurred. This contrasts with appeals from courts of record, where the appellate court reviews the existing record for errors of law or procedure.
The 18th Judicial District Court and all its divisions (Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Juvenile) are courts of record, maintaining official transcripts and detailed documentation of all proceedings.