Franklin County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Franklin County in 2026
FranklinKSRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Franklin County, Kansas. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property division orders, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Divorce records in Franklin County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Court's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools provided by the Kansas Judicial Branch.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Kansas Case Search portal is the most common method for locating Franklin County divorce records online. Members of the public may search by case number or party name at no charge for basic case information. Obtaining copies of documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Kansas Judicial Center's district court records portal allows searches across jurisdictions as Kansas courts transition to a centralized case management system. As the Kansas Judicial Branch notes, "As Kansas courts transition to a new centralized case management system, their public records will become available through an online portal." This consolidated database provides access to Franklin County filings as they are migrated into the system.
3. State Vital Records
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) maintains divorce certificate information at the state level. As KDHE states, "Divorce information is open to the public at the county district court level." The state office provides divorce certificates, which may carry applicable fees distinct from court copy fees.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Franklin County District Court:
Franklin County District Court Clerk
301 S. Main St.
Ottawa, KS 66067
Phone: (785) 229-3410
Franklin County District Court
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Franklin County District Court Clerk, 301 S. Main St., Ottawa, KS 66067
- Include the following with each request:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request (if required)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and record age.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (785) 229-3410
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Kansas may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing, and assist with complex or older cases. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Kansas Bar Association's lawyer referral resources.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Franklin County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under K.S.A. § 23-2703, a petition for divorce in Kansas must be filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement: Under current Kansas law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Kansas for sixty days immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several days to weeks for processing after the final order is entered.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format, may not be digitized, and may require additional retrieval time upon request.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a record may not be located include:
- Incorrect county of search
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed or subject to confidentiality order
If a record cannot be located, members of the public may contact the Clerk's office at (785) 229-3410, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, check the KDHE divorce certificate database, or consult a licensed Kansas attorney.
What Are Franklin County Divorce Records?
Franklin County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Franklin County District Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to applicable access provisions under Kansas law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the respondent's answer or counterpetition, financial affidavits, parenting plans, settlement agreements, motions, court orders, hearing transcripts, and the final judgment of dissolution.
Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, spousal support terms if any, child custody and parenting time arrangements if applicable, child support orders if applicable, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, parenting plan attachments, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve legal purposes including proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, property transfer verification, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit determinations. They also serve personal purposes such as genealogical research and family history documentation.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Court for the Franklin County District Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files, maintains complete records indexed by party name, and provides certified copies upon request. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment maintains divorce certificates at the state level, which contain limited information compared to the full court file.
Legal Framework:
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Kansas are governed by K.S.A. § 23-2701 et seq. Public access to court records is governed by the Kansas Open Records Act and applicable Kansas Supreme Court rules regarding access to court records.
Are Franklin County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Franklin County District Court are public court records subject to the Kansas Open Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, court orders, and final decrees. Certain categories of information within a divorce file are restricted or may be sealed by court order to protect sensitive personal data.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (spouses)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and times
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to court rules)
- Bank account numbers (redacted)
- Credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records:
A court may seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Kansas law and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents otherwise restricted from the general public.
- Attorneys: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order.
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or violation of any protective order issued in connection with the case.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Franklin County?
The Franklin County District Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Kansas statutes. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain paper copies | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $1.50 per page (certification fee) |
| Docket sheet / case summary | $0.25 per page |
| Electronic copies (if available) | Varies by request |
| Search fee | No separate search fee currently assessed |
- Inspection of public court records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours.
- Certified copies carry an additional certification fee per document in addition to the per-page copy fee.
- Payment methods accepted at the Franklin County District Court Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Clerk of the District Court. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the office prior to submitting a mail request.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court pursuant to applicable Kansas Supreme Court rules.
- Fees for divorce certificates obtained through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are assessed separately and differ from court copy fees.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Franklin County
A complete Franklin County divorce case file contains documents generated from the initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. The following categories of documents are part of the standard case record.
Basic Case Information: Case number, court name and division, names of petitioner and respondent, judge assigned, attorneys of record, date filed, filing fees paid, and case type designation.
Initial Pleadings: The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's information, respondent's information, date and location of marriage, date of separation if applicable, grounds for divorce (Kansas is a no-fault state recognizing incompatibility under K.S.A. § 23-2701), information regarding minor children, property claims, and relief requested. The respondent's answer or counterpetition is also included.
Financial Affidavits: Both parties' income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities.
Discovery Documents: Financial disclosure materials, interrogatory questions and answers, requests for production of documents, and responses thereto.
Property-Related Documents: Marital asset and debt inventories, real property appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on asset values.
Children-Related Documents (if applicable): Parenting plans detailing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules including holidays and summers, child support calculation worksheets, income information, health insurance and childcare costs, support amounts ordered, and any custody evaluations or guardian ad litem reports.
Support Documents: Alimony or spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, payment schedule, and termination conditions, along with supporting calculation worksheets.
Settlement Documents: The marital settlement agreement, if applicable, resolves all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions. Mediation agreements, if incorporated into the settlement, are also part of the file.
Court Orders and Judgments: Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case, the final judgment of dissolution including all findings of fact and conclusions of law, property division orders, support orders, custody and parenting time orders, name restoration orders, and any Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) dividing retirement accounts.
Post-Judgment Documents: Petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modifications, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details subject to protective orders
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Franklin County?
Proof of divorce in Franklin County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution issued by the Franklin County District Court Clerk or through a divorce certificate from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
To obtain a certified copy of the final decree:
- Contact the Franklin County District Court Clerk at (785) 229-3410 or visit in person at 301 S. Main St., Ottawa, KS 66067.
- Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce or the case number.
- Pay the applicable per-page copy fee plus the certification fee.
- Certified copies may be requested in person, by mail, or by phone for pickup.
To obtain a divorce certificate from the state:
Members of the public may request a divorce certificate through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Vital Records office. The KDHE notes that "divorce information is open to the public at the county district court level," and the state certificate provides a summary record of the dissolution.
Franklin County District Court Clerk
301 S. Main St.
Ottawa, KS 66067
Phone: (785) 229-3410
Franklin County District Court
Kansas Department of Health and Environment — Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson St.
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: (785) 296-1400
KDHE Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Franklin County?
Divorce proceedings in Franklin County are presumptively public, but specific documents or entire case files may be made confidential under certain circumstances recognized by Kansas law and Kansas Supreme Court rules.
- A party may file a motion requesting that specific documents be sealed, demonstrating good cause such as the presence of sensitive financial data, minor children's identifying information, or domestic violence concerns.
- Courts may seal custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, mental health records, and substance abuse treatment records when disclosure would be contrary to the best interests of a child or would endanger a party.
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
- Cases involving allegations of domestic violence may have party addresses and contact information withheld from the public record to protect victim safety.
- High-profile cases may be subject to sealing orders upon a specific judicial finding that the privacy interest outweighs the public's right of access.
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar identifiers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to Kansas Supreme Court Rule 21.
- A sealed record remains accessible to the parties and their attorneys of record and may be accessed by other persons only upon a court order following a showing of legitimate need.
The legal basis for sealing court records in Kansas is found in Kansas Supreme Court Rule 21 and applicable provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Divorce Records?
Franklin County District Court divorce records are retained in accordance with the Kansas Supreme Court's records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for different categories of court documents.
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. The final decree of dissolution is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction.
- Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case under current Kansas court records retention schedules, with permanent retention of the final judgment.
- Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following case closure.
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the applicable retention period of the underlying case.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; some financial documents may be returned to parties or destroyed earlier pursuant to court order.
- Archived paper records: Older cases not yet digitized are maintained in physical storage and may require additional retrieval time upon request.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the Kansas court case management system and are accessible through the Kansas Case Search portal for the applicable retention period.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than ten years ago should contact the Franklin County District Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.