Kansas Open Records Act

What is the Kansas Open Records Act?

The Kansas Open Records Act, or KORA, is the Kansas Version of the Federal Freedom of Information Act. It allows the public to inspect and copy some records maintained by public entities.

What Records are Available?

  • Motor Vehicle Crashes and Photos (photos of fatality crashes are only available with a subpoena of business records)
  • Standard Offense Reports - excluding pages that are not open public record.
  • Arrest Summaries

Information That May be Withheld

  • Sexually Related Crimes
  • Crimes or incidents that are ongoing in nature
  • Addresses, phone numbers, or personal information that may pose a risk to persons or property
  • Juvenile crimes
  • Criminal investigation records
  • Several other specific records

How do I Request a Record?

  • Check with the Hays Police Department Records Clerks to see if the information you desire is available.
  • Make your request in writing: Records Request Form
  • Make sure your request is as detailed as possible, and make payment for your requested documents.
  • Records should be produced by the end of the 3rd business day after the request is received. If the request is to be denied or delayed, you will receive a written explanation.

Why Would my Request be Delayed or Denied?

Every attempt will be made to provide the information requested, however, it is not always possible to fulfill each request. There are multiple reasons why a request may be denied.

  • The record requested does not exist.
  • The request was unclear and should be resubmitted.
  • Voluminous records
  • Complicated request parameters
  • Difficulty in accessing archived records
  • The information requested is closed to protect an important privacy interest.
  • (You may see additional exceptions to the Kansas Open Records Act at K.S.A. 45-221)

Associated Fees

The Kansas Open Records Act authorizes agencies to charge fees for providing access to or furnishing copies of public records. This fee may be requested in advance to providing any document and will include:

  • Cost of staff time
  • Cost of copying or reproducing the record

Hays Police Department Records Request Fees

  • Standard Offense Report: $1.00
  • Crash Report:
  • Crash Report Photographs:
    • On Paper: $1.00 per page
    • Digital: $10.00
  • Statistics Requests: For any crime numbers or data, a $3.00 fee is required along with a statistics request form. Anything over 8 pages will be 25 cents per page.
  • Research Time: If time spent research goes above 30 minutes, a fee of $15.00 per hour will be added.
  • Other fees could be assessed based on the request.

How Can I Get a Copy of the Kansas Open Records Act?

A full copy of the Kansas Open Records Act can be found online at: www.ink.org/public/legislative (The Kansas Open Records Act starts at K.S.A. 45-215.)

Other Records Provided by the Hays Police Department

Background checks on self: Information provided will only be on cases that went through the Hays Municipal Court. Cases that went through the Ellis County District Court will need to be researched by that court. A photo ID shall be shown for this request. Suspect and/or victim information will not be given.

Records Not Provided by the Hays Police Department

  • Full criminal history checks
  • Driver’s license checks
  • Jail information