Kansas Vital Records
City and County Records of Births and Deaths
A few counties in Kansas began keeping records of births and deaths in 1885. These records may be obtained from the office of the county clerk.
Birth and death records are also available from many of the cities in the state. The beginning dates of these records vary from about 1910 to 1940. You can write to the city clerk for further information.
The Family History Library is presently acquiring copies of pre-1912 birth and death records at the county courthouses in southeastern Kansas. The library also has a few files from mortuaries and funeral homes.
State Records of Births and Deaths
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in July 1911. Delayed registrations of births started in 1937. Copies of the state records may be obtained from:
Office of Vital Statistics
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
900 Jackson Street
Topeka, KS 66612-1290
Telephone: 913-296-1400
Internet: http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records can be found in the following resources:
- http://www.vitalrec.com
- Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993; FHL book 973 V24wv). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many Family History Centers.
- You can also write to the Office of Vital Statistics (address above) for current information.
Marriage and Divorce Records
County clerks and clerks of probate courts have been keeping records of marriages since the creation of each county in the state. Some date from the mid-1850s. You can write to the clerk's office in the county where the license was issued. The Family History Library is presently acquiring copies of pre-1920 Kansas marriage records.
Marriage records since July 1913 have also been kept by the state. These may be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics (see address above).
The district court in each county has had jurisdiction over divorces. Divorce information is interfiled with other court records. You can write to the clerk of the court for information. Since July 1951 a copy of the proceedings has been filed with the Bureau of Registration and Health Statistics.
Guide to Vital Records
A description of the history and availability of Kansas records is Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Kansas(Topeka, Kansas: Historical Records Survey, 1942; FHL book 978.1 V2h; film 874348).