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How to Find Public Records in Butler County in 2026
ButlerCountyRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Butler County, Kansas. Members of the public seeking official documentation may access a range of records through county offices, state court systems, and authorized online portals. The types of records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.
Record categories that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Butler County official website provides access to select county records through its online portal. As Kansas courts transition to a centralized case management system, district court records for Butler County are becoming available through the Kansas district court records portal. Members of the public may also conduct searches by case number or party name using the Kansas Case Search tool. No registration is required to perform basic case searches.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Butler County Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. The office is located at 205 W. Central Ave., El Dorado, KS 67042. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating and retrieving documents. Requestors are advised to bring a valid photo identification when requesting records that involve personal information.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Butler County Clerk's Office at 205 W. Central Ave., El Dorado, KS 67042. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under K.S.A. § 45-218, agencies are required to respond to requests as soon as possible, and no later than three business days after receiving a written request.
Phone/Email: The Butler County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (316) 322-4220. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact form available on the Butler County Clerk's page.
What Are Public Records in Butler County?
Public records in Butler County are defined under Kansas law as any recorded information, regardless of form or format, that is made, maintained, or kept by or for a public agency in the exercise of governmental functions. Under K.S.A. § 45-217, a "public record" includes documents, maps, photographs, microfilm, electronic data, and other recorded information prepared or retained by a public agency.
The following record types are maintained by specific Butler County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Butler County District Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Butler County Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Kansas Department of Health and Environment / County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Butler County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Butler County Appraiser / Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | Butler County Election Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Butler County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | Butler County Clerk / Finance Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Butler County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Butler County Planning and Zoning |
The Butler County Register of Deeds maintains property-related instruments, while the Butler County District Court retains all judicial filings. Vital records for events occurring in Kansas are also available through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Is Butler County an Open Records County?
Butler County operates in full compliance with the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), which establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of government records. Under K.S.A. § 45-216, "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, and this act shall be liberally construed and applied to promote such policy."
The Kansas Attorney General's office reinforces this position, stating that "the Kansas Open Records Act presumes that all public records are open and available for public inspection and copying unless a specific exception applies." Butler County agencies are required to designate a records custodian and to make records available during regular business hours. The county does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what KORA permits. The Kansas Attorney General's open government resources provide further guidance on the application of KORA statewide.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Butler County?
The current fee structure for public records in Butler County is governed by KORA and applicable county fee schedules. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Photocopies (black and white, letter/legal) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $15.00 per copy (KDHE rate) |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Search/staff time fee | Actual cost if search exceeds 30 minutes |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting records in person at the custodian's office.
- Copy fees: Standard photocopies are assessed at $0.25 per page at most county offices.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records issued through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment carry a fee of $15.00 per certified copy.
- Electronic format fees: Fees for electronic records reflect the actual cost of reproduction and transmission.
- Search fees: Under KORA, agencies may charge for staff time required to search for, copy, and transmit records when the request is extensive, provided the fee does not exceed the actual cost.
Accepted payment methods at Butler County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waiver provisions are not explicitly mandated under KORA, but agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Butler County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Butler County government offices during regular business hours. Under KORA, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records in person. Members of the public may review documents at the public counter of the relevant office without incurring a cost.
Free online access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- The Kansas Case Search tool allows members of the public to search district court case information at no charge.
- The Butler County Appraiser's online portal provides free access to property assessment and tax records.
- The Butler County official website offers free access to meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents posted in the public interest.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as publicly posted meeting agendas and budget summaries, are made available at no cost in digital format as a matter of county policy.
Who Can Request Public Records in Butler County?
Any person may request public records in Butler County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. KORA does not require requestors to be Kansas residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. As the Kansas Attorney General's office notes, "a public agency may not require a requester to provide a reason for the request as a condition of access."
Specific considerations include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain the same rights to access public records as Kansas residents.
- Identification: Not required for most records. Identification may be requested when accessing records that contain sensitive personal information or when the requestor seeks records pertaining to themselves.
- Purpose: Not required to be stated for the majority of public records requests.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
- Requesting personal records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
Non-residents and organizations, including media entities and researchers, hold the same statutory rights to access public records as individual Kansas residents under KORA.
What Records Are Confidential in Butler County?
Not all records maintained by Butler County agencies are subject to public disclosure. KORA enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Kansas law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are exempt from disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under both KORA exemptions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Kansas child protection statutes.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public agency in confidence.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
Kansas law provides a balancing framework under which agencies must weigh the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release. The Kansas Legislature's statutory database contains the full text of KORA exemptions for reference.
Butler County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Butler County Register of Deeds
205 W. Central Ave., Suite 103
El Dorado, KS 67042
(316) 322-4230
Butler County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays.
Butler County Clerk's Office
205 W. Central Ave.
El Dorado, KS 67042
(316) 322-4220
Butler County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Butler County District Court
201 W. Pine St.
El Dorado, KS 67042
(316) 322-4370
Butler County District Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Butler County Sheriff's Office
700 S. Haverhill Rd.
El Dorado, KS 67042
(316) 322-4254
Butler County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Administrative); Dispatch operates 24 hours.
Butler County Appraiser's Office
205 W. Central Ave.
El Dorado, KS 67042
(316) 322-4284
Butler County Appraiser
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM