Montgomery County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Montgomery County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Montgomery County, Kansas, may access publicly available information through MontgomeryKSRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Montgomery County residents and non-residents alike may locate records spanning court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, law enforcement logs, and other government-generated documents, subject to applicable state and federal disclosure laws. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the custodial agency, the nature of the document, and any statutory exemptions that may apply.
Record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Kansas Case Search portal allows members of the public to search district court records by case number or party name, including records from Montgomery County's two district court locations in Coffeyville and Independence. As Kansas courts transition to a centralized case management system, additional records are becoming available through the Kansas District Court Records portal. Property and tax records may be accessed through the Montgomery County Appraiser's and Clerk's online tools. No registration is required for basic court record searches.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Montgomery County Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought. Staff will locate responsive documents and make them available for inspection.
Montgomery County Clerk's Office
217 E. Myrtle St., Independence, KS 67301
(620) 330-1200
Montgomery County Clerk
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should identify the record type, relevant dates, parties involved, and any case or document numbers. Under K.S.A. § 45-218, agencies must respond within three business days of receiving a request, either by providing the records, denying the request with a written explanation, or notifying the requestor of a need for additional time.
Phone/Email:
- Montgomery County Clerk: (620) 330-1200
- Montgomery County District Court – Coffeyville: (620) 252-4557
- Montgomery County District Court – Independence: (620) 330-1070
What Are Public Records in Montgomery County?
Public records in Montgomery County are defined under Kansas law as any recorded information, regardless of form or format, that is made, maintained, or received by a public agency in the exercise of its official 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 governmental entity.
The following record types are maintained by Montgomery County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | District Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, divorces) | KDHE Office of Vital Statistics / County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Treasurer / Appraiser |
| Voting and election records | County Election Office |
| Commission meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Clerk / Finance Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Office |
Vital records for events occurring in Kansas are preserved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics, which maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce records statewide.
Is Montgomery County an Open Records County?
Montgomery County operates in full compliance with the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), which mandates public access to government records. Under K.S.A. § 45-216, "it is the intent of the legislature 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 disclosure."
The Kansas Attorney General's office reinforces this principle, stating that "the Open Records Act reflects the legislature's recognition that a democratic society requires an informed citizenry." All county offices, including the Clerk, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, and District Court, are subject to KORA's disclosure requirements. Montgomery County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; state law governs all public records access obligations uniformly across Kansas jurisdictions.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Montgomery County?
The fee structure for public records in Montgomery County follows the schedule permitted under KORA. Agencies may charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction and, where applicable, the cost of staff time spent locating and compiling records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black and white) | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $15.00 per certified copy (KDHE) |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of reproduction media |
| Search/staff time | Actual cost; first hour may be waived |
| Inspection (no copies made) | No charge |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods with the specific custodial office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency. Fees for certified vital records copies are set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and are subject to change by agency rule.
Does Montgomery County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Montgomery County government offices during regular business hours. Under KORA, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records; charges apply only when copies are requested or when staff time is required to locate and compile documents.
Free online access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- Court records: The Kansas Case Search portal provides free online access to district court case information, including records from Montgomery County's Coffeyville and Independence divisions.
- District court records portal: As courts migrate to the centralized system, additional records become available at no cost through the Kansas District Court Records online portal.
- Sex offender registry: Members of the public may search the Kansas registered offender database maintained by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at no charge.
- Property and tax records: Basic property assessment and tax information is accessible through the Montgomery County Appraiser's online portal without charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records at no cost, but reproduction fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.
Who Can Request Public Records in Montgomery County?
Any person may request public records in Montgomery 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. This applies to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, members of the media, and researchers.
Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Sealed court records, juvenile records, and adoption records require a court order or demonstrated legal standing for access. Individuals requesting their own criminal history records through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation must submit a fingerprint-based request and pay the applicable processing fee. Third parties seeking another individual's criminal history for employment or licensing purposes must follow the procedures established under K.S.A. § 22-4701 et seq.
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under KORA. No provision of Kansas open records law limits access based on the geographic location of the requestor.
What Records Are Confidential in Montgomery County?
Not all government records in Montgomery County are subject to public disclosure. KORA enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are currently withheld from public access under state law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and child welfare/protective services records
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Records of ongoing criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and state law)
- Personnel records of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving government legal counsel
The Kansas Attorney General's office notes that "the exceptions to disclosure must be narrowly construed," meaning that agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding a requested record. When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Montgomery County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Montgomery County Register of Deeds
217 E. Myrtle St., Independence, KS 67301
(620) 330-1210
Montgomery County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Montgomery County Clerk's Office
217 E. Myrtle St., Independence, KS 67301
(620) 330-1200
Montgomery County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Montgomery County District Court – Independence
300 E. Main St., Independence, KS 67301
(620) 330-1070
Kansas District Court Records
Montgomery County District Court – Coffeyville
311 W. 9th St., Coffeyville, KS 67337
(620) 252-4557
Kansas Case Search
Office Hours (both court locations):
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Kansas Department of Health and Environment – Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson St., Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-1400
Office of Vital Statistics
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
1620 SW Tyler St., Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-8200
KBI Registered Offender Search