Clay County, KS Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Clay County District Court, part of the 21st Judicial District, is the county's trial court. It handles felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil and limited civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Clay County District Court (21st Judicial District, Kansas) |
| Main Address | 712 5th St., Suite 204, Clay Center, KS 67432 |
| Main Phone | 785-632-3443 |
| Website | www.claycountykansas.org/215/District-Court |
| Clerk | Melissa Stellner, Clerk of the District Court, Clay County |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Clay Center) |
| Judicial District | 21st Judicial District |
| Handles | Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil and limited civil cases, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters in District Court |
| Does NOT Handle | City ordinance cases (municipal court); federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas); appeals (Kansas Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court); parking tickets (citing agency) |
How to Search Clay County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Clay County district court records are kept by the Clerk of the District Court in Clay Center.
Online
Go to kscourts.gov and open the Judicial Branch public access portal.
Search by name or case number for district court case information.
Check the portal for any fees before you search.
Best for: Quick case status lookups by name
In Person
Go to the Clay County Courthouse, 712 5th St., Suite 204, Clay Center, KS 67432.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk whether public terminals are available.
Best for: Copies and records not available online
By Phone
Call 785-632-3443 to ask the Clerk of the District Court, Clay County for a record search or copies.
Have the case number and party names ready before you call.
Ask the clerk how to submit a written request, since no email is listed.
Best for: Confirming a case number or copies
Search by Name on KansasCourtAccess.org
Go to KansasCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Clay County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
Clay County courts handled an estimated 1,060 new cases in FY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 1,033. The estimate scales Kansas statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~1,060
Total filings in FY 2024
~1,033
Total dispositions in FY 2024
~1,060
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+4.0%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023
| Metric | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~1,060 | ~1,019 | ~+4.0% |
| Total Dispositions | ~1,033 | ~998 | ~+3.5% |
| Criminal Filings | ~496 | ~483 | ~+2.7% |
| Civil Filings | ~322 | ~309 | ~+4.2% |
| Family Law Filings | ~80 | ~80 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~40 | ~40 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~13 | ~13 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~20 | ~20 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Clay County's 0.27% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Clay County?
Estimated total filings in Clay County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 | ~1,060 | ~1,033 | ~+4.0% |
| FY 2023 | ~1,019 | ~998 | ~+5.5% |
| FY 2022 | ~966 | ~944 | ~+4.3% |
| FY 2021 | ~926 | ~885 | ~+1.5% |
| FY 2020 | ~912 | ~858 | ~+1.5% |
Estimated filings changed +16.2% between FY 2020 and FY 2024, from 912 to 1,060. The largest annual change was +5.5% in FY 2023. The latest change of +4.0% reflects statewide Kansas trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Clay County's 0.27% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Clay County?
The Clay County District Court hears the main types of cases below. This page does not report filing counts or shares by case type.
| Case Type | Where It Is Heard |
|---|---|
| Felonies | District Court |
| Misdemeanors | District Court |
| Traffic cases | District Court, or municipal court for some city ordinance and traffic cases |
| Civil and limited civil cases | District Court |
| Domestic relations (divorce, custody, support) | District Court |
| Probate | District Court |
| Juvenile cases | District Court |
| City ordinance violations | Municipal court |
| Federal cases | U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas |
How Does Clay County Compare With Kansas Overall?
Clay County is estimated to account for about 0.27% of the 395,000 cases filed in Kansas courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Clay County | Kansas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~1,060 | 395,000 | ~0.27% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+4.0% | +3.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,060 | 1,463 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,033 | 1,426 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~46.8% | 46.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~30.4% | 30.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~7.6% | 7.6% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Kansas figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Clay County's 0.27% share of the state population.
Clay County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Kansas statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Clay County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 10.5% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 95.3% of Kansas's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
13,436
Violent crimes, Kansas statewide, 2025
54,277
Property crimes, Kansas statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
451.3
Violent crime rate per 100K, Kansas statewide, 2025 (population 2,977,220)
-10.5%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Kansas statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (67,713 vs 75,638)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 133 | 4.5 | 116 | +14.7% |
| Rape | 1,335 | 44.8 | 1,370 | -2.6% |
| Robbery | 928 | 31.2 | 985 | -5.8% |
| Aggravated assault | 11,040 | 370.8 | 11,082 | -0.4% |
| Violent crimes total | 13,436 | 451.3 | 13,553 | -0.9% |
| Burglary | 8,174 | 274.6 | 8,454 | -3.3% |
| Larceny-theft | 39,346 | 1321.6 | 45,676 | -13.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6,339 | 212.9 | 7,526 | -15.8% |
| Property crimes total | 54,277 | 1823.1 | 62,085 | -12.6% |
Rates use the Kansas 2025 population of 2,977,220. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Clay County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Clay County Courthouse Locations
Clay County has 1 courthouse location, in Clay Center. Check your notice or citation for the assigned location and office before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County Courthouse | 712 5th St., Suite 204, Clay Center, KS 67432 | 785-632-3443 | Records kept by the Clerk of the District Court, Clay County |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Clay County?
The Clay County District Court handles most case types below. Matters handled outside the court are flagged in the table.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court or municipal court, depending on the citation | Your citation shows which court handles the case. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the district court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | Misdemeanors are heard by the district court. |
| Felony | District Court | Felonies are heard by the district court. |
| DUI | District Court or municipal court, depending on how the case was filed | Your charging paperwork shows which court has the case. |
| Domestic violence | District Court | Criminal charges and protection order matters are handled by the district court. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court | Civil and limited civil cases are heard by the district court. |
| Small claims | District Court | Limited civil cases are heard by the district court. |
| Eviction | District Court | Eviction cases are filed with the district court. |
| Divorce | District Court | Domestic relations cases are heard by the district court. |
| Child custody or support | District Court | Domestic relations cases are heard by the district court. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | Probate matters are heard by the district court. |
| Juvenile case | District Court | Juvenile cases are heard by the district court. |
| Appeal | Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court | Appeals do not go to the district court. |
Are Clay County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Clay County district court records are public, with exceptions set by Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 and the court's own rules.
Public records
Court records kept by the Clerk of the District Court are open to the public unless a rule or court order restricts them. The Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) governs public agency records more generally.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available.
Online access
The Kansas district court public access portal is run by the Judicial Branch, and you can reach it from kscourts.gov. Online results show case information, not every document, so restricted cases will not appear.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court, Clay County at 712 5th St., Suite 204, Clay Center, KS 67432 to view or request records. Call 785-632-3443 to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
The source files for this court do not list fees, so contact the Clerk of the District Court at 785-632-3443 before you request copies.
How to Search Clay County Court Records Online
Use the Judicial Branch public access portal to search Clay County cases by case type, and ask the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open the Judicial Branch public access portal at kscourts.gov.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case information for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Call the Clerk of the District Court, Clay County at 785-632-3443 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Judicial Branch public access portal | Case information where the court publishes it | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | Judicial Branch public access portal | Case information where the court publishes it | Payment is not part of record search |
| Civil | Judicial Branch public access portal | Case information where the court publishes it | Restricted filings are not shown |
| Small claims | Judicial Branch public access portal | Case information where the court publishes it | Documents may require the clerk |
| Family law | Judicial Branch public access portal | Case information where the court publishes it | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Clerk of the District Court, Clay County, 785-632-3443 | Records kept by the clerk | Contact the clerk to confirm |
| Juvenile | Clerk of the District Court, Clay County, 785-632-3443 | Case information only through the clerk | Juvenile records are not publicly available |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Clay County
The source files for this court do not list an online payment option, so contact the Clerk of the District Court to confirm how to pay.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of the District Court, Clay County at 712 5th St., Suite 204, Clay Center, KS 67432, and ask which payment methods the office accepts.
- By phone: Call 785-632-3443 to ask about payment options and deadlines for your case.
Traffic citations and criminal fines are both handled through the Clerk of the District Court, so confirm which payment applies to your paperwork. Parking tickets go to the agency that issued them, not to the district court.
Clay County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Clay County court records?
Use the Judicial Branch public access portal at kscourts.gov, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 785-632-3443.
Are Clay County court records public?
Most are public under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196, but juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available.
How do I find a criminal case in Clay County?
Search by name or case number in the Judicial Branch portal, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 785-632-3443 for help.
How do I find a court date in Clay County?
Check your notice or citation first, then call the Clerk of the District Court at 785-632-3443 to confirm your date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Clay County?
This page does not list an online payment option, so call the Clerk of the District Court at 785-632-3443 to confirm how to pay.
How many cases are filed in Clay County each year?
Filing counts are not stated on this page, so no annual number is given. Contact the Clerk of the District Court at 785-632-3443 for case volume.
What is the most common type of case in Clay County?
This page does not report case counts by type. The district court hears criminal, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases.
Is crime rising or falling in Kansas?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 0.9% to 13,436 in 2025 from 13,553 in 2024, and property crimes fell 12.6% to 54,277 from 62,085, as reported to the FBI. These are Kansas statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Clay County District Court (21th J.D.)More Info
| Address: | 712 5th Street, Suite 204, Clay Center, KS, 67432 |
| Phone Number: | 785-632-3443 |
| Fax: | 785-632-2651 |
| Website: | https://www.claycountykansas.org/215/District-Court |
Clay Center Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 427 Court Street, Clay Center, KS, 67432 |
| Phone Number: | (785) 632-3312 |
| Fax: | (785) 632-3943 |
| Website: | https://www.cityofclaycenter.com/government/departments/ |
Useful Links
- Clay County, Kansas - Official Website - Find information on county departments, services, and access to various public records and court services in Clay County, Kansas.
- 21st Judicial District – Kansas Judicial Branch - Explore court information specific to Clay County within the 21st Judicial District's jurisdiction from Kansas Judicial Branch.
- District Courts – Kansas Judicial Branch - Learn about the structure, jurisdiction, and services offered by district courts, including those serving Clay County in Kansas.
- Kansas Courts – County Courts Information - Access comprehensive details on each county's court systems, including links to specific county court services and records.
- Kansas Attorney General's Office - Provides legal resources, including guides on public records requests and consumer protection services relevant to Kansas residents.
- Kansas Legal Services - Offers free and low-cost legal aid, including assistance with court matters and accessing public records in Kansas.
- State of Kansas Official Website - Navigate to state-level services and resources, including access to public records and legal information relevant to Kansas residents.
- Kansas County & District Attorneys Association - Find information about county and district attorneys, including prosecutorial resources and contacts within the state of Kansas.
- Access Kansas - State Government Portal - A central hub for state services, including links to court records and information on legal resources available in Kansas.
- Kansas Judicial Council - Provides studies and recommendations on improving the administration of justice in Kansas, with links to legal resources.
- Kansas Children's Service League - Offers resources related to family law and child advocacy, important for court-related matters involving juveniles in Kansas.
- Kansas State Agencies Directory - Access and explore different state agencies, including those involved with judiciary and public records in Kansas.
- Kansas Historical Society - Provides access to historical legal documents and archives important to understanding historical court records in Kansas.
- Find a Court in Kansas - Use this interactive database to locate courts within Kansas, including Clay County, and learn about their services.
- Kansas State Legislature - Explore legislative resources, bills, and legal updates pertinent to court procedures and legal policies in Kansas.
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation - Offers legal resources and assistance pertaining to housing laws and disputes that may involve court intervention in Kansas.
- Access to Justice – Kansas - A non-profit platform facilitating access to legal information, resources, and services to better navigate Kansas's court system.
- Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Public Records - Provides public access to different types of records including criminal history, significant for legal proceedings in Kansas.
- Kansas Court of Appeals - Acquire knowledge about the appellate process and how it relates to legal matters and court rulings within Kansas.
- Kansas Law Help - Central resource for legal assistance, providing guidance, forms, and support for court matters relevant to Kansas residents.
Table of Contents
- Clay County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Clay County Court Records
- Clay County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Clay County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Clay County?
- How Does Clay County Compare With Kansas Overall?
- Clay County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Clay County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Clay County?
- Are Clay County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Clay County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Clay County
- Clay County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links