Ford 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 Ford County District Court, part of Kansas's 16th Judicial District, handles felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases for Ford County.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Ford County District Court (16th Judicial District of Kansas) |
| Clerk of the District Court | Rhonda Whitney |
| Main Address | 101 W Spruce St., PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801 |
| Main Phone | 620-227-4609 |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Dodge City) |
| Handles | Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil and limited civil cases, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas), most city ordinance cases (municipal courts), appeals (Kansas Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court), and parking tickets (citing agency) |
How to Search Ford County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. The Clerk of the District Court keeps Ford County district court records.
Online
Go to kscourts.gov for Kansas district court information.
Call the clerk to confirm which records are available online.
Use the official court pages to confirm contact details.
Best for: Confirming what is available online
In Person
Go to 101 W Spruce St., PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801.
Bring the full name and case number, if you have them.
Ask the clerk which records are available in person.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call 620-227-4609 to reach the Clerk of the District Court.
Ask what information the clerk needs for your request.
Confirm record access rules before you visit the courthouse.
Best for: Checking what to bring first
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
Ford County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
Ford County courts handled an estimated 4,531 new cases in FY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 4,416. The estimate scales Kansas statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~4,531
Total filings in FY 2024
~4,416
Total dispositions in FY 2024
~1,510
Filings per judicial position (3 estimated positions)
~+4.0%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023
| Metric | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~4,531 | ~4,358 | ~+4.0% |
| Total Dispositions | ~4,416 | ~4,267 | ~+3.5% |
| Criminal Filings | ~2,122 | ~2,065 | ~+2.8% |
| Civil Filings | ~1,376 | ~1,319 | ~+4.3% |
| Family Law Filings | ~344 | ~344 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~172 | ~170 | ~+1.2% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~57 | ~56 | ~+1.8% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~86 | ~84 | ~+2.4% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~3 | ~3 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Ford County's 1.15% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Ford County?
Estimated total filings in Ford 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 | ~4,531 | ~4,416 | ~+4.0% |
| FY 2023 | ~4,358 | ~4,267 | ~+5.5% |
| FY 2022 | ~4,129 | ~4,037 | ~+4.3% |
| FY 2021 | ~3,957 | ~3,785 | ~+1.5% |
| FY 2020 | ~3,900 | ~3,670 | ~+1.5% |
Estimated filings changed +16.2% between FY 2020 and FY 2024, from 3,900 to 4,531. 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 Ford County's 1.15% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ford County?
The District Court hears the case types below for Ford County. Counts by case type are not stated here.
| Case Type | Heard By | Records Kept By |
|---|---|---|
| Felonies | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
| Misdemeanors | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
| Traffic cases | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
| Civil and limited civil cases | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
| Domestic relations (divorce, custody, support) | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
| Probate | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
| Juvenile matters | 16th Judicial District District Court | Clerk of the District Court, Ford County |
How Does Ford County Compare With Kansas Overall?
Ford County is estimated to account for about 1.15% of the 395,000 cases filed in Kansas courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Ford County | Kansas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~4,531 | 395,000 | ~1.15% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+4.0% | +3.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,510 | 1,463 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,472 | 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 Ford County's 1.15% share of the state population.
Ford County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Kansas statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Ford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 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 Ford County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Ford County Courthouse Locations
Ford County has 1 District Court courthouse location, at the Ford County Courthouse in Dodge City. Check your notice or citation for the office or courtroom assigned to your case.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford County Courthouse | 101 W Spruce St., PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801 | 620-227-4609 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Ford County?
The Ford County District Court handles most case types, and the Clerk of the District Court keeps the records. Some matters go to other courts or agencies, as listed below.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court, 16th Judicial District | The District Court handles traffic cases, and the clerk keeps the record. |
| Parking ticket | The citing city or agency | Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not the District Court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Misdemeanor criminal cases are heard in the District Court. |
| Felony | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Felony criminal cases are heard in the District Court. |
| DUI | District Court, 16th Judicial District | DUI charges are heard in the District Court, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Criminal charges and protection order matters are handled by the District Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Civil and limited civil cases are heard in the District Court. |
| Small claims | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Small claims matters are handled as limited civil cases in the District Court. |
| Eviction | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Eviction cases are filed with the District Court clerk. |
| Divorce | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Divorce cases are heard under domestic relations in the District Court. |
| Child custody or support | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Custody and support cases are heard under domestic relations in the District Court. |
| Probate or estate | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Probate matters are handled by the District Court. |
| Juvenile case | District Court, 16th Judicial District | Juvenile matters are heard in the District Court, and juvenile records are not public. |
| Appeal | Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court | Appeals from the District Court go to the appellate courts, not the county clerk. |
Are Ford County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Ford County district court records are public, with exceptions set by Kansas law and court rules.
Public records
Most district court case files, including dockets, filings, and orders in criminal, traffic, civil, and domestic relations cases, are open to the public under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 and the court's own rules. The Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) covers public agency records.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Court orders may also limit access to a case.
Online access
The Kansas Judicial Branch runs the public access portal for district court records. Check kscourts.gov for current portal information. Online results show case information, not every document.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at 101 W Spruce St., PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801 to view or request records. Call 620-227-4609 to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
No fee amounts are listed on this page because none were verified for this county. Ask the clerk about copy and certification fees.
How to Search Ford County Court Records Online
Use the official Kansas court resources to find case information, and ask the Clerk of the District Court for documents that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open KansasCourtAccess.org and search by party name, or contact the clerk at 620-227-4609.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Contact the Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information where available | Documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information where available | Payment options are listed in the payment section |
| Civil | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information where available | Sealed or restricted filings are not shown |
| Small claims | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information where available | Documents may require the clerk |
| Family law | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information where available | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Clerk of the District Court | Case information where available | Confirm access with the clerk |
| Juvenile | Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609 | Case information only through the clerk | Juvenile records are not publicly available or in the general search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ford County
The options below are ways to contact the Clerk of the District Court for Ford County about fines, citations, and payments.
- Phone: Call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609 to ask which payment methods are accepted for your case.
- In person: Visit the clerk at 101 W Spruce St., PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801 to ask about payment options for your case.
Parking tickets are handled by the citing city or agency, not by the District Court.
Ford County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Kansas court records for this county?
Call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609, visit 101 W Spruce St., PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801, or search by name at KansasCourtAccess.org.
Are these court records public?
Most are, under Kansas court records rules, but juvenile, sealed, and expunged records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name at KansasCourtAccess.org or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or citation, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-227-4609 to ask which payment methods are accepted for your case.
How many cases are filed in this county each year?
This page does not state county filing counts. The county population was 33,993 in 2025, -0.9% from 2024.
What is the most common type of case?
This page does not state case counts by type. The District Court hears felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters.
Is crime rising or falling?
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
Ford County District Court (16th J.D.)More Info
| Address: | 101 W Spruce St., Dodge City, KS, 67801 |
| Phone Number: | 620-227-4609 |
| Fax: | 620-227-6799 |
| Website: | https://16jd.kscourts.org/16th-Judicial-District/Ford-County-Courthouse |
Dodge City Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 806 N. Second Ave., Dodge City, KS, 67801 |
| Phone Number: | (620) 225-8107 |
| Fax: | (620) 225-8112 |
| Website: | https://www.dodgecity.org/67/Municipal-Court |
Useful Links
- Ford County, Kansas – Official Government Site - Official site providing comprehensive information about local government operations, departments, and services including court details.
- Kansas Judicial Branch - Home - Explore Kansas Judicial system, find resources, and access essential services related to state courts and judiciary.
- Eighteenth Judicial District Court - Kansas - Access detailed information on case management, online services, and other court-related proceedings in Kansas state.
- Public Service Kansas.gov - Locate public services, including vital records, licensing, and more, offered by the state of Kansas.
- Kansas State Law | National Law Review - Stay informed on the latest legal news, statutory changes, and judicial updates impacting Kansas residents.
- Kansas Legal Services – Providing Representation and Resources - Non-profit providing legal services and resources to Kansans needing assistance, including court advice and representation.
- Kansas Bar Association – Resources and Conferences - Professional organization offering resources, learning, and community support for Kansas legal professionals and the public.
- Bail Bonds Information | Eighteenth Judicial District - Essential guide and information regarding bail bonds procedures and policies within the Kansas Judicial districts.
- KansasOpenGov.org – Transparency Portal - Access information on state spending, public records, and local government operations across Kansas.
- Kansas Attorney General - Consumer Protection, Law Enforcement, and Legal Opinions - Official site for Attorney General duties, legal advice, consumer complaints, and more in Kansas.
- Kansas Sheriffs' Association - Serving the Law Enforcement Community - Organization representing Kansas sheriffs, offering resources, advocacy, and public safety information to communities.
- Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) - Provides statistics on crime, criminal offenders, and operations of justice systems for comprehensive analysis in Kansas.
- National Association for Court Management (NACM) - A professional association providing educational and leadership resources for court management professionals across the nation, including Kansas members.
- Online Access to Court Opinions - California Courts - Access library of court opinions to help craft legal understandings and applying them in Kansas contexts.
- PACER: Federal Court Records Access - Utilize the PACER service to find and review federal court records impacting Kansas jurisdiction.
- Legal Information Institute (LII) – Cornell Law School - Free resource facilitating public access to current legal information, statutes, codes, and legal references across U.S., including Kansas.
- Kansas Business Entity Search – Name Availability - Explore state-level search tool to find and verify business records and name availability in Kansas.
- Open Records Act Request Procedures | Kansas Attorney General - Guidelines and procedures for making official open records requests in Kansas, ensuring transparency.
- Public Records Directory - Nationwide Search - Use this directory to find public records across various states, including detailed records for Kansas residents.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - An overview of economic concepts, analysis, and policymaking that impact legal decisions and governance in Kansas.
Table of Contents
- Ford County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Ford County Court Records
- Ford County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Ford County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ford County?
- How Does Ford County Compare With Kansas Overall?
- Ford County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Ford County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Ford County?
- Are Ford County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Ford County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ford County
- Ford County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links