Kansas Birth Records

Kansas birth records are the official vital records documenting live births that occur within the state. The state commenced statewide registration of birth on July 1, 1911, although some counties have birth records dating as early as 1885. Kansas issues several forms of birth certificates to meet different needs.

• Authorized or Certified Copies: The certified birth record is the official legal copy of the birth record. It contains security features, such as a raised seal or stamp and the issuing officer's signature, guaranteeing its authenticity. It is valid for all legal transactions. There are two types of certified copies of Kansas birth records:
• The Long-Form Birth Certificate: The long-form birth certificate is a comprehensive copy of the original birth record. It contains all the legal details of the registrant, including full names, birth dates, gender, places of birth, parents' names, parents' birthplaces, parents' nationalities, hospital information, and the signature of the attending physicians. The long-form birth certificate is ideal where legal proof of one's age or identity is required.
• The Short-Form Birth Certificate: The short-form birth certificate is an abbreviated version, often called an abstract, of the official birth record. It contains basic information about the registrant, including name, gender, birthdate, place of birth, and parents' names. It excludes detailed information, such as parents' nationality and attending physicians' details. Although it is not accepted for federal purposes, the short-form birth certificate is ideal where basic proof of birth is required.
• Informational or Non-Certified Copies: These are unofficial copies of a birth record, typically marked as "informational". They are printed on plain paper and cannot be used for legal purposes. They are ideal for personal record-keeping or genealogy research.

How To Order a Kansas Birth Certificate?

Kansas birth certificates from July 1, 1911, are accessible at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics. You may order the document in person, online, or by mail.

You may order birth certificates from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics by downloading and completing the Application for a Certified Copy of Kansas Birth Certificate form. Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope (for mail requesters only), and the fees with the application. It costs $20 to order a certified copy of a Kansas birth certificate. Mail or apply in person at:

Birth certificates ordered online are available through a third-party provider approved by the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. It costs $20 to order birth certificates online. In addition, the service provider charges a $13.95 expedited service fee, which includes shipping costs.

For birth certificates pre-1911, you may access the document at the specific county clerk's office where the birth was recorded or at the Kansas State Historical Society.

Are Birth Records Public in Kansas?

Birth certificates are confidential records in Kansas. The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) prohibits the general public from accessing certified copies of another person's birth certificate unless they meet eligibility criteria. Birth records are restricted from the public to protect individuals' privacy and prevent the misuse of personal information.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Kansas?

Under the KORA, certified copies of birth certificates are open to the following eligible individuals:

• The person named on the birth record
• The parents listed on the birth certificate
• Immediate family members, including spouses, siblings, adult children, and grandparents
• Legal representatives, including attorneys, executors, and public agencies acting on behalf of the registrant
• Government entities

How Long Does it Take to Get A Kansas Birth Certificate?

It takes the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics 7 to 10 business days to process mail requests for birth certificates and 15-50 minutes for persons who walk into the office to order the document, provided there is no difficulty locating the record.

The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics does not offer expedited processing of birth certificates. If you need the document faster, order the document online. Online requests for birth certificates are generally processed within 3 to 5 business days.

Where Can I Find Kansas Birth Records Free?

Although certified Kansas birth certificates are strictly limited to eligible individuals through the State Office of Vital Statistics, you may still access basic birth details, including names, birthdates, and birthplaces, from other resources at no cost.

While the National Vital Records Archives (NARA) does not hold state-issued birth certificates, it provides the "Where to Write for Vital Records" portal, which directs you to the correct state or county office for informational copies of birth records. For pre-1911 births, the Kansas State Historical Society maintains county-level indexes and ledger images of birth records.

Ancestry.com provides a statewide index of births occurring in Kansas from 1854 to 2009. The platform provides information on the registrant's name, birth year, and county of birth at no cost. The platform also offers access to Kansas births and christening indexes of names, dates, and locations for baptisms and births from 1885 to 1911.

FamilySearch.org provides a name-searchable index of Kansas birth registrations and baptisms, which includes the individual's name, birth or christening date, and location from 1818-1936. You can also find digitized collections of county courthouses' registers from 1885 to 1911.

PublicRecords.us aggregates publicly available index data from county and state sources to provide a vast repository of Kansas marriage records. The platform offers a searchable database where you may easily access individuals' names, birthdates, and county of birth at no cost.

When Would I Need My Kansas Birth Records?

A birth certificate is a vital document that serves as primary proof of identity, citizenship, and familial relationships. Oftentimes, birth certificates are required for crucial life events and administrative processes, including:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Applying for government assistance
• Obtaining or replacing a Social Security card
• Applying for a marriage license
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, and universities
• Obtaining a driver's license or a state-issued ID
• Changing your name
• Establishing heirship for estates and inheritance claims
• Enlisting in the military

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Kansas?

You may need a replacement birth certificate if your original document is lost, damaged, destroyed, illegible, or missing. Replacing a birth certificate follows the same process as ordering the original certified copy.

To order the replacement birth certificate, download and complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Kansas Birth Certificate form. Provide an unexpired government-issued ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the statutory fees. You may order the replacement birth certificate by mail or in person at the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. Replacement birth certificates cost $20.

When Can the Public Access Kansas Birth Certificates?

All live birth records created on or after July 1, 1911, are subject to strict confidentiality under KORA, which permits disclosure only to eligible individuals. However, the Act does stipulate that public records become public records after 70 years. Therefore, the public may access Kansas birth certificates 70 years from the birthdate.

How To Correct an Error on a Kansas Birth Certificate?

You may correct the following errors on a Kansas birth certificate:

• Misspellings or omissions, such as mistakes in first, middle, or last names
• Incorrect birth details, including the wrong date or place of birth
• Missing parental information
• Legal name changes. It requires a court order
• Paternity additions. Requires a court order

To correct errors, obtain and complete the Amendment Request Form. Include a notarized statement detailing the specific correction required. Depending on the correction, provide the following:

• For Name Corrections
• One original document dated before your 10th birthday, such as school records, immunization records, or hospital records, showing the correct name.
• For Date of Birth Corrections
• Two original or certified documents dated before your 10th birthday indicating the correct date. Documents may be early school reports or newspaper birth announcements.
• Adding a Missing First or Middle Name
• One certified document, including marriage licenses, insurance policies, or service records, dated at least 5 years ago, showing the correct name.
• Adding a Missing Last Name or Entire Name
• Two certified or original documents, such as insurance policies, school records, or hospital records. Dated within the last 5 years, showing the correct name.

Mail the completed form, supporting documents, and the fees to the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. It costs $20 to amend a birth certificate and an additional $20 to obtain a certified copy of the amended birth record.

Does Kansas Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Kansas does not currently provide a non-binary or gender-neutral option on birth certificates. Per Senate Bill 180, Kansas law prohibits altering birth certificates to reflect a gender identity different from the one assigned at birth, essentially banning the non-binary "X" markers. Therefore, the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics cannot issue or amend a birth certificate to reflect any gender other than Male or Female assigned at birth.