GO TO PUBLIC RECORDS BY LOCATION
Home Background Check Court Records Criminal Records Property Records Inmate Search Sex Offenders Vital Records State Records

Hays, Kansas Public Records

Search official government public records, criminal records, court records, and background check resources for Hays, Kansas.

Official Government Sources

Hays Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Hays, Kansas government websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is the process for someone who is arrested in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Hays, Kansas, you will be transported to the Ellis County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Ellis County Court. Under Kansas law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). The Ellis County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.doc.ks.gov/information/offender-search where you can look up current detainees.
2
What are the school district and education performance data for City of Hays, Kansas?
The Hays USD 489 school district serves the city of Hays, Kansas. According to the Kansas State Department of Education, the district had an overall performance rating of "Accredited" in the 2019-2020 school year. The district had an average graduation rate of 87.3%, and the average ACT score was 21.2.
3
What are the school district and education performance data for Hays, Ellis County, Kansas?
The Hays USD 489 school district serves the city of Hays and the surrounding area in Ellis County, Kansas. According to the Kansas State Department of Education, the district had an overall performance rating of "Accredited" in the 2019-2020 school year. The district had an average graduation rate of 87.3%, and the average composite ACT score was 21.1.
4
What are the crime statistics for City of Hays, Kansas?
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the crime rate in Hays, Kansas in 2019 was 1,845.7 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 2,580.5 per 100,000 people. The most common crimes reported in Hays were larceny/theft (1,039.3 per 100,000 people), burglary (323.2 per 100,000 people), and motor vehicle theft (90.2 per 100,000 people).
5
What are the crime statistics for Hays, Ellis County, Kansas?
According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's 2018 Crime in Kansas report, Hays, Ellis County, Kansas had a total of 545 reported crimes in 2018. Of those, there were 4 homicides, 11 rapes, 28 robberies, and 502 aggravated assaults. There were also a total of 4,845 property crimes reported, including 4,072 larcenies, 645 burglaries, and 128 motor vehicle thefts.
6
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the City of Hays Kansas Library?
The Hays Public Library in Ellis County, Kansas provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Kansas government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), which governs access to government documents in Kansas. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Hays Kansas Archives and Genealogy at https://www.kshs.org/index.php. Contact the Hays Public Library reference desk at (785) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
7
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the Hays, Ellis County, Kansas Library?
The Hays Public Library in Ellis County, Kansas provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Kansas government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), which governs access to government documents in Kansas. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Hays Kansas Archives and Genealogy at https://www.kshs.org/index.php. Contact the Hays Public Library reference desk at (785) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
8
Where is the City of Hays, Kansas Public Library located?
The Hays Public Library is located at 1205 Main Street, Hays, KS 67601.
9
Where is the Hays, Ellis County, Kansas Public Library located?
The Hays, Ellis County, Kansas Library is located at 1205 Main Street, Hays, KS 67601.
10
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in City of Hays, Kansas?
Fingerprinting services in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas are available through the Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. Services are provided for employment background checks, licensing applications, immigration purposes, and personal record requests. You will typically need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where applicable, a completed fingerprint card from the requesting agency. Appointments can often be scheduled by calling (785) or by visiting the department's website. Fingerprints are submitted to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the FBI for identity verification and criminal history review. Statewide criminal history checks can also be requested through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).
11
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas?
Fingerprinting services for Hays, Kansas residents are provided at the Hays Police Department, which serves Ellis County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Hays Police Department at (785) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/criminal_history/.
12
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from City of Hays, Kansas, and what information is provided in the records?
The procedures to obtain vital records in Hays, Kansas are as follows:

1. Visit the Ellis County Clerk's Office in person or contact them by phone at (785) 628-9415.

2. Provide the necessary information, such as the full name of the person whose record is being requested, the date and place of the event, and the purpose of the request.

3. Pay the applicable fee.

4. Wait for the record to be processed and mailed to the address provided.

Vital records in Hays, Kansas include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. These records contain information such as the full name of the person, the date and place of the event, and the names of the parents or spouses involved.
13
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from Hays, Ellis County, Kansas, and what information is provided in the records?
Hays, Ellis County, Kansas vital records can be obtained from the Ellis County Clerk's Office.

The vital records available from the Ellis County Clerk's Office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. To obtain a vital record, you must provide a valid photo ID and proof of your relationship to the person named on the record. You must also pay the applicable fee.
14
About Police Reports
Police reports from Hays, Kansas can be obtained from the Hays Police Department, located in Ellis County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), most police reports are public records in Kansas, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the Hays Police Department Records Division at (785) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://www.kbi.ks.gov/criminal_history/.
15
About background check
A background check in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Kansas. Criminal background checks are processed through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Kansas residents. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provides official criminal history checks at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/criminal_history/. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.