Grant County

Grant County is located in the southwestern region of Kansas, established in 1873 and officially organized in 1888. The county seat is Ulysses, which is also the largest city and commercial hub of the county. Grant County covers approximately 575 square miles of land characterized by flat to gently rolling prairie terrain typical of the High Plains region. As of the 2020 Census, the county population was approximately 7,352 residents. The county was named after Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and Civil War general.

• The Grant County Courthouse in Ulysses houses most county offices including the County Clerk at 108 South Glenn Street, the Register of Deeds, and the County Assessor.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Grant County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. The office oversees patrol duties, manages the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community programs aimed at crime prevention and public safety education. The office works closely with other local law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of Grant County residents.

Police Departments

In addition to the Grant County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is supported by the Ulysses Police Department. The Ulysses Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Ulysses, focusing on local ordinances and community policing. The Sheriff's Office and the Ulysses Police Department collaborate on major investigations and share resources to address crime effectively across the county. Both agencies are committed to maintaining public safety and responding to the needs of the community.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Law enforcement in Grant County, Kansas is primarily provided by the Grant County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 124 East Maple Street in Ulysses, Kansas 67880. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (620) 356-3541 and is responsible for county-wide law enforcement, civil process service, court security, and operation of the Grant County Jail. The Grant County Jail houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders, and inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly or visiting the Sheriff's Office during business hours.

• The Ulysses Police Department provides municipal law enforcement services within the city limits of Ulysses and can be contacted at (620) 356-1321.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through direct request to the Sheriff's Office, as Kansas law enforcement agencies maintain these as part of booking procedures.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of records.
• Response time for public records requests is typically within three business days under Kansas law, though more complex requests may require additional time.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Grant County encompass felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses, as well as the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Residents can request background checks through the KBI, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports. The KBI's database includes statewide information, offering Grant County residents access to records beyond their local jurisdiction. The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, ensuring community awareness and safety.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Grant County are maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of arrests made within the county, including the charges and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request access to arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The Kansas Open Records Act governs the accessibility of these records, ensuring transparency while protecting sensitive information. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting agency.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Grant County Jail, located in Ulysses, is the primary detention facility for individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainee. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to security protocols.

• The bond and bail process follows Kansas state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Grant County are taken and retained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases. While Kansas does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals may request removal or restriction of access under certain conditions. Mugshots are often used in conjunction with arrest records to provide a complete profile of the arrestee.

Grant County is served by the 26th Judicial District Court of Kansas, with the courthouse located at 108 South Glenn Street in Ulysses, Kansas 67880. The District Court can be reached at (620) 356-1335 and handles a wide range of cases including civil matters, criminal prosecutions (felonies and misdemeanors), probate, juvenile, and domestic relations cases. The court also hears appeals from municipal courts within Grant County. District Court judges are elected and serve four-year terms.

• Copy fees are typically $1.00 per page for standard documents, with certified copies costing an additional fee.

Property and land records for Grant County, Kansas are maintained by the Grant County Register of Deeds office, located at 108 South Glenn Street in Ulysses, Kansas 67880, phone (620) 356-1332. The Register of Deeds maintains records of all recorded documents affecting real property in the county, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens, easements, rights of way, oil and gas leases, plat maps, and other instruments. These records are public under Kansas law (K.S.A. 19-1201 et seq.) and can be searched in person during regular business hours.

• Grant County offers online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based system or per-document fees.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Register of Deeds for a fee of approximately $1.00 per page plus certification fees.
• Recording fees for new documents vary by document type and page count, as established by Kansas statute.

Vital records for Grant County, Kansas include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records, governed by Kansas statutes K.S.A. 65-2401 et seq. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics (KDHE), but certified copies can also be obtained through the Grant County Clerk's office at 108 South Glenn Street, Ulysses, Kansas 67880, phone (620) 356-2596.

• Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, with processing taking approximately two to four weeks when ordered through the county.
• Death certificates have the same fee structure.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Grant County Clerk's office with a fee of $85.50, valid for six months from issuance, with no waiting period or blood test required.
• For faster service, Kansas residents can order certified copies of vital records online through VitalChek at www.kdhe.ks.gov/vital-statistics, with additional processing fees.

Business and licensing records in Grant County, Kansas are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Grant County Clerk at 108 South Glenn Street, Ulysses, Kansas 67880, phone (620) 356-2596, handles registration of trade names (DBA - Doing Business As) and fictitious business names filed at the county level. Formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities must be filed with the Kansas Secretary of State Business Services Division.

Elections in Grant County, Kansas are administered by the Grant County Clerk, who serves as the County Election Officer. The Election Office is located at 108 South Glenn Street, Ulysses, Kansas 67880, and can be reached at (620) 356-2596. Voter registration in Kansas can be completed online through the Kansas Secretary of State's website at www.kdor.ks.gov/voterregistration, by mail using a printed application, or in person at the County Clerk's office. The voter registration deadline in Kansas is 21 days before any election. Kansas residents must be U.S.

• citizens, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, and residents of Kansas to register.
• These records can be requested through the County Clerk's office.
• Grant County's voter turnout in the November 2024 general election was approximately 68-72% of registered voters, consistent with typical rural Kansas county participation rates in presidential election years.
• Advance voting by mail is available in Kansas for any voter who requests an advance ballot.
• Kansas law provides substantial transparency for election records, and citizens may request copies of election materials under the Kansas Open Records Act.

Grant County, Kansas has an economy heavily dominated by agriculture and related industries, reflecting its location in the productive High Plains agricultural region. The county is one of Kansas's leading producers of corn, wheat, grain sorghum, and cattle, with extensive center-pivot irrigation systems drawing from the Ogallala Aquifer creating a distinctive landscape of circular fields. According to U.S. Census data, the median household income in Grant County is approximately $54,000 to $58,000, slightly below the Kansas state median.

• Major employers in the county include agricultural operations, grain elevators and storage facilities, livestock feeding operations, farm equipment dealers, and agricultural service companies.
• Cattle feeding operations are particularly prominent in Grant County, with several large feedlots contributing substantially to the agricultural economy.
• Food processing and value-added agriculture have grown in importance.

Court Records: ✅ Online (via Kansas state portal) | Property: ⚠️ Limited Online Access | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or State Office | Business: ✅ State Online (Secretary of State) | Elections: ✅ Available Upon Request | Overall Score: 6/10 — Grant County provides moderate transparency with state-level online resources supplementing limited local digital access.

Explore public records for 1 cities and communities in Grant County, Kansas.