How to Find Kansas Birth Records
How to Find United States Births 
Kansas Kansas Births
In 1861, Kansas was created from the Territory of Kansas. Statewide registration of births began in 1911. State and county offices have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Births before 1885[edit | edit source]
The State of Kansas was not organized at this time and was known as the Territory of Kansas. Before 1861 few births were recorded by the counties or city clerks. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
Territorial Records 1854-1861 may be searched online at the Kansas Historical Society.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births 1885 to 1911[edit | edit source]
Before 1911 no births were recorded by the state. Between about 1885 and 1911 a few births were recorded at the counties or city clerk's offices in register volumes. Not all of these registers have survived.
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.
For births that occurred during this time period try the following databases.
| Kansas Births Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||||
| Try: | 1818-1936 - At FamilySearch | Free; Kansas, births and Christenings, 1818-1936: Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Kansas. Not complete for all counties. | ||
| Try: | 1885-1911 - At Ancestry.com | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Kansas, Births and Christening, 1885-1911: Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Kansas. Not complete for all counties. Find your local FamilySearch Center OR use your own Ancestry.com subscription. | ||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
Births 1911 to Present[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics.
| Kansas Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try: | 1818-1936 - At FamilySearch | Free; Kansas, births and Christenings, 1818-1936: Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Kansas. Not complete for all counties. | ||
| Try: | 1885-1911 - At Ancestry.com | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Kansas, Births and Christening, 1885-1911: Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Kansas. Not complete for all counties. Find your local FamilySearch Center OR use your own Ancestry.com subscription. | ||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From KDHS Office of Vital Statistics | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Kansas Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics will do a 5 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
American Indian Vital Records[edit | edit source]
1901-1933 Bureau of Indian Affairs. Pottawatomie Agency FHL 264120
Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records[edit | edit source]
Currently, the Office of Vital Statistics does allow requests for genealogical research. Pre-1940 records may be requested by an individual related as at least a cousin. Post 1940 records must be requested only by an immediate family member.
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
References[edit | edit source]
Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Kansas. by Kansas Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. 1942 FHL film 874348 (item1); FHL book 978.1 V2h
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