Kansas Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Kansas, Missouri?
Arrest records are public documents in both Kansas and Missouri, accessible to members of the public under state transparency laws. In Missouri, this accessibility is governed by the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes), which establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies shall be open to the public for inspection and copying. Similarly, in Kansas, the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) provides for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests, unless specifically exempted by statute.
Law enforcement agencies in both states are required to maintain arrest records that document interactions with individuals taken into custody. These records become part of the public record immediately upon creation, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions.
Pursuant to § 45-221 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, certain information within arrest records may be withheld if disclosure would constitute a "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy." However, basic information about arrests, including the name of the person arrested and the charges filed, remains accessible to the public.
How to Look Up Kansas Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Kansas arrest records have multiple avenues available for conducting searches. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state and provides several methods for record retrieval:
In-person requests can be submitted at the KBI Records Section located at 1620 SW Tyler Street, Topeka, KS 66612. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state holidays.
Written requests may be mailed to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Attn: Records Section, 1620 SW Tyler Street, Topeka, KS 66612. Requestors must include a completed request form, proper identification, and applicable fees.
The Kansas Criminal History Record Check Portal provides online access to criminal history information. Users must register for an account and pay the statutory fee of $20.00 per record search.
Local law enforcement agencies maintain their own arrest records and may provide access through their records divisions:
Kansas City Police Department
701 N 7th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 573-6000
Kansas City Police Department
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
125 N Cherry Street
Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 715-5000
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Requestors should note that pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4707, criminal history record information shall be disseminated only in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the director of the KBI. Fees for record searches are established by statute and must be paid at the time of request.
Contents of a Kansas Arrest Record
Kansas arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These records typically include the following elements:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical description
- Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations and formal charges filed
- Booking information, including booking number and processing details
- Fingerprint impressions taken at the time of booking
- Photographic image (mugshot) of the arrested individual
- Detention information, including whether the individual was released on bond or held in custody
- Case disposition information, if available
Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4701 et seq., the Kansas Criminal History Record Information Act establishes guidelines for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information. The statute requires that arrest records be complete and accurate, with procedures in place for individuals to challenge and correct inaccurate information.
Law enforcement agencies are required to submit arrest information to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation within 14 days of the arrest, as mandated by K.S.A. § 22-4705. This information becomes part of the state's central repository for criminal history records.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Kansas
The State of Kansas provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.
K.S.A. § 22-2410 establishes the criteria and procedures for expungement of arrest records. Individuals may petition for expungement if:
- The arrest occurred due to mistaken identity
- No charges were filed and the statute of limitations has expired
- Charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted at trial
- The individual was convicted but has satisfied the sentence and completed any required probation or parole
- A specified waiting period has elapsed since the completion of the sentence (varies by offense type)
The petition for expungement must be filed in the district court where the arrest occurred or where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must provide:
- Full name and identifying information
- Date and location of the arrest
- Law enforcement agency that made the arrest
- Specific charges for which expungement is sought
- Case number, if applicable
Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing and notifies the prosecuting attorney and any law enforcement agencies involved. If the court grants the expungement, all records related to the arrest are sealed and removed from public access.
Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2410(e), an expunged arrest record shall not be disclosed except when:
- Requested by the person whose record was expunged
- Required by a criminal justice agency for specified purposes
- Required by court order
- Required for certain employment positions as specified by statute
The Kansas Judicial Branch provides standardized forms for expungement petitions, available through the Office of Judicial Administration at 301 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612, or through the judicial branch website.
Search Arrest Records in Kansas
