Westmoreland Public Records Directory

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

About Westmoreland

Westmoreland is a small city located in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, situated in the northeastern part of the state approximately 120 miles west of Kansas City. With a population of around 780 residents as of the 2020 Census, Westmoreland was founded in 1881 and incorporated in 1882, developing along the Union Pacific Railroad line that helped establish many communities across the Great Plains. The city serves as a quiet agricultural community surrounded by productive farmland that characterizes much of the Flint Hills region.
Westmoreland is known for its strong community spirit, annual celebrations, and proximity to Tuttle Creek Lake, one of Kansas's largest reservoirs located just to the south. The city's economy is supported by grain farming, cattle ranching, and small businesses serving the local population, with many residents also commuting to nearby Manhattan, home to Kansas State University, for employment and services. Public records for Westmoreland residents are maintained by multiple agencies at the city, county, and state levels. The Westmoreland City Hall at 111 Main Street handles municipal records including city ordinances, meeting minutes, and local business licenses, while the Westmoreland Police Department maintains law enforcement records for incidents occurring within city limits. Most vital records, property documents, and court filings are managed by Pottawatomie County offices located in the county seat of Westmoreland itself—the Pottawatomie County Courthouse at 207 North First Street serves as the central hub for deeds, marriage licenses, court case files, and property tax records. Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 through 45-223) governs public access to government documents, allowing citizens to request and inspect most records with certain exemptions for privacy and ongoing investigations. State-level records including corporation filings and vital records are accessible through the Kansas Secretary of State and Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Topeka.

Police Department & Arrest Records

Law enforcement in Westmoreland, Pottawatomie County is provided by the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Wamego Police Department, St. Marys Police Department, and Onaga Police Department are key agencies within their respective cities. These departments handle local law enforcement duties, while the Sheriff's Office covers broader county responsibilities. Coordination between these agencies ensures comprehensive coverage and response to major crimes across the county.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Pottawatomie County Jail, located in Westmoreland, is the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate information can be accessed through the county's online inmate lookup tool, which provides details on current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines. The bond process follows Kansas state law, allowing for cash or surety bonds to secure an inmate's release.

Court Records

Westmoreland residents are served by the 22nd Judicial District Court of Kansas, with the Pottawatomie County District Court located at the Pottawatomie County Courthouse, 207 North First Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3314. This court handles all felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $4,000, domestic relations including divorce and child custody, probate and estate matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from municipal courts. The District Court also hears misdemeanor cases and traffic violations that occur in unincorporated areas of the county.
For violations of Westmoreland city ordinances, traffic tickets, and minor misdemeanors occurring within city limits, the Westmoreland Municipal Court has jurisdiction; information can be obtained through Westmoreland City Hall at (785) 457-3353. Small claims cases involving disputes up to $4,000 can be filed in the Small Claims division of District Court. Kansas court records can be searched online through the Kansas District Courts Public Access Portal at www.kansas.gov/apps/districts/case-search, which provides access to case information including parties, charges, filing dates, and case status for both criminal and civil matters statewide. Records are searchable by party name, case number, or attorney. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Pottawatomie County Clerk of District Court at the courthouse address above; fees are typically $1.50 per page for copies plus $8.00 for certification. Document retrieval fees and copy costs are established under Kansas statute. Marriage license applications are also processed through the District Court Clerk's office, while divorce decrees and other family court records require a formal records request and may have restricted access depending on confidentiality orders.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Pottawatomie County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Kansas Bureau of Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can access criminal records through requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for comprehensive background checks.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Pottawatomie County are maintained by the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office. These records provide detailed information about the arrest, including the charges, date, and location of the incident. Residents and attorneys can request access to these records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, in compliance with the Kansas Open Records Act. The records typically include the arresting officer's report and any related documentation.

Public Records Access

Property and land records for Westmoreland are maintained by Pottawatomie County offices located in Westmoreland. The Pottawatomie County Appraiser's Office at 207 North First Street, Suite 102, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3992, maintains property assessment records including parcel information, ownership details, assessed values, property characteristics, and tax history.
The office provides free online property search capabilities through the county website at pottcounty.org where residents can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view current and historical assessment data, aerial imagery, and property card details including square footage, building characteristics, and sales history. The Pottawatomie County Register of Deeds, located at 207 North First Street, Suite 103, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3314, is responsible for recording and maintaining all real estate documents including warranty deeds, mortgage documents, releases, liens, easements, rights-of-way, and other instruments affecting land titles. Kansas law requires that documents conveying real property interest be recorded to establish priority and public notice. The Register of Deeds office provides online access to recorded documents through a searchable database at pottcounty.org/register-of-deeds, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, book and page, or legal description. Document images may be viewed free online or printed for a fee. Recording fees vary by document type but typically start at $50 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The office also records military discharge papers (DD-214s) and UCC financing statements. A GIS parcel viewer is available through the county website providing interactive mapping with parcel boundaries, ownership information, and property data layers for comprehensive property research.

Economy & Demographics

Westmoreland's economy is fundamentally rooted in agriculture, reflecting its position in the fertile agricultural region of northeast Kansas where grain production and cattle ranching dominate the rural landscape. The city serves as a service center for surrounding farms and ranches, with local businesses including grain elevators, farm equipment suppliers, and agricultural service providers supporting the farming community.
Major employers in the immediate Westmoreland area include USD 323 Rock Creek School District, which operates Rock Creek Junior-Senior High School and Elementary School serving students from Westmoreland and surrounding communities, employing teachers, administrators, and support staff. The City of Westmoreland and Pottawatomie County government also provide municipal employment. Many Westmoreland residents commute approximately 20 miles south to Manhattan, Kansas, where Kansas State University, Fort Riley military installation, and Manhattan's healthcare and retail sectors offer significant employment opportunities. According to U.S. Census estimates, Pottawatomie County's median household income is approximately $63,000, with Westmoreland's smaller population reflecting similar economic characteristics as a rural agricultural community. The local economy benefits from its proximity to Tuttle Creek State Park and Tuttle Creek Lake, which attract recreational visitors for fishing, boating, camping, and hunting, supporting local restaurants and service businesses. Small manufacturing, retail trade, and construction businesses round out the employment base. Recent years have seen modest residential development as some workers from the Manhattan metropolitan area seek more affordable rural housing while maintaining employment ties to the larger city. The completion of highway improvements connecting Westmoreland to Manhattan and the continued expansion of Kansas State University have positively impacted the broader regional economy. Like many small Kansas communities, Westmoreland faces demographic challenges including an aging population and youth outmigration to larger urban centers, balanced by its stable agricultural economic base and quality of life advantages that attract families seeking small-town living within reasonable commuting distance of employment centers.

Law Enforcement & Arrest Records

Law enforcement services in Westmoreland are provided by the Westmoreland Police Department, located at 111 Main Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3353. The department serves the incorporated city limits and maintains records of incidents, accidents, and arrests occurring within Westmoreland. Citizens can request police reports by contacting the department directly during business hours; requests typically require completion of a records request form and may involve a nominal copying fee. For areas outside city limits and countywide law enforcement, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office serves the region from its headquarters at 106 North Second Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3353. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol, investigations, and warrant service throughout unincorporated areas of Pottawatomie County and operates the county jail facility.

Arrest records and current jail bookings for Pottawatomie County can be searched through the Sheriff's Office website and the Kansas Vinelink offender search system at vinelink.vineapps.com/search/KS, which provides information on current inmates including booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and custody status. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.), arrest logs, booking records, and police reports are generally considered public records unless they contain information about ongoing investigations or confidential informants. To request law enforcement records, citizens should submit written requests to the appropriate agency—either Westmoreland Police Department for city incidents or Pottawatomie County Sheriff for county matters—identifying the specific date, case number, or incident details when possible. Response times vary but agencies must respond within three business days indicating whether records are available, though actual production may take longer for complex requests.

Vital Records

Vital records for Westmoreland residents are managed at both state and county levels depending on the record type. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Kansas are maintained by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 120, Topeka, KS 66612, phone (785) 296-1400, website www.kdheks.gov/vital. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $15 each. Expedited service is available for additional fees.
Records can be ordered online through the Kansas VitalChek service at www.kansas.gov/vitalrecords, by mail with completed application and proper identification, or in person at the Topeka office. Birth records are restricted to the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives, and require valid government-issued photo identification. Kansas maintains birth records from July 1911 forward and death records from July 1911 forward, though earlier records may exist in county archives. Marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Pottawatomie County are issued by the Pottawatomie County District Court Clerk at 207 North First Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3314. The marriage license fee is $85.50 and there is no waiting period or blood test required. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers. Kansas has no residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license. Marriage licenses are valid for six months from date of issuance and the ceremony must take place in Kansas. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the District Court Clerk's office for $15 each. Divorce records are maintained by the District Court where the divorce was granted; certified copies can be requested through the Pottawatomie County Clerk of District Court with appropriate identification and payment of applicable fees. Older vital records may require additional processing time and researchers seeking records beyond standard digitized periods should contact the county or state archives for assistance.

Business & Licensing Records

Business licensing in Westmoreland operates at city, county, and state levels depending on business type and location. The City of Westmoreland requires business licenses for most commercial operations within city limits; applications and information are available through Westmoreland City Hall, 111 Main Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3353. City business license fees and requirements vary by business type and renewal is typically annual.
Businesses operating in unincorporated areas of Pottawatomie County should contact the Pottawatomie County Clerk's office at 207 North First Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3314, regarding county-level requirements. Certain business types including food service, alcohol sales, and professional services require additional permits and inspections from state health and licensing agencies. Fictitious business name registrations (doing-business-as or DBA filings) for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under names other than the owner's legal name are filed with the Pottawatomie County Register of Deeds at 207 North First Street, Suite 103, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3314. These registrations establish public notice of business ownership and are searchable through county records. For formal business entities, the Kansas Secretary of State Business Entity Database at www.kssos.org/business/business-entity-search.aspx provides free online searching of all corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities. Users can search by business name, registered agent, or filing number to verify entity status, view formation dates, registered agents, and officers. New business entity filings are submitted to the Kansas Secretary of State, Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612. UCC financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Kansas Secretary of State UCC system at www.kssos.org/business/business-UCC.html, providing public notice of secured interests in personal property and business assets. Commercial property tax assessments can be researched through the Pottawatomie County Appraiser's online database at pottcounty.org, where business owners can search by property address or parcel number to view assessed values, classification codes, and tax history for commercial real estate throughout Westmoreland and Pottawatomie County.

Elections & Voter Records

Westmoreland voters are served by the Pottawatomie County Clerk's Office, located at 207 North First Street, Suite 101, Westmoreland, KS 66549, phone (785) 457-3314, website pottcounty.org. This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Pottawatomie County residents including voter registration, absentee voting, polling place management, and election results certification. Kansas residents can register to vote online through the Kansas Secretary of State website at www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/VoterReg/Default.aspx or by submitting a paper application to the County Clerk's office. Voter registration deadlines are 21 days before any election. Kansas requires voters to provide their Kansas driver's license number or state ID number when registering, or the last four digits of their Social Security number if they don't have a Kansas ID. First-time voters who register by mail must provide identification when voting.

Westmoreland holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions; the City of Westmoreland operates under a mayor-council form of government with regular elections typically held in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday in April, though exact scheduling should be confirmed with City Hall at (785) 457-3353. The next municipal election cycle would be April 2025 for city offices. Candidate filings for city positions and information about local ballot measures are available through both the city clerk and county elections office. Westmoreland residents can find their assigned polling location by contacting the Pottawatomie County Clerk's office or using the Kansas Voter View portal at myvoteinfo.voteks.org, which allows voters to search by name and date of birth to view registration status, polling place assignment, sample ballots, and election history.

Under Kansas law (K.S.A. 25-2018 and related statutes), voter registration lists are public records available for inspection, though usage is restricted to election-related purposes. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political action committees are searchable through the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission database at www.kansas.gov/ethics. County-level election results are posted by the Pottawatomie County Clerk following certification, with precinct-by-precinct results available for public review. In the November 2024 presidential election, Pottawatomie County reported strong turnout consistent with statewide patterns, with the county maintaining its historical voting trends favoring Republican candidates in most federal and state races.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Westmoreland and Pottawatomie County voters will decide several significant races. At the federal level, Kansas's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Jerry Moran is not up for election in 2026 (it's a Class III seat up in 2028), but one U.S. House seat representing the district containing Pottawatomie County will be on the ballot—currently Kansas's 1st Congressional District represented by Tracey Mann. The Kansas Governor's race will be on the 2026 ballot as gubernatorial terms are four years and the last election was 2022. State legislative races will include Kansas Senate District 1 and Kansas House of Representatives districts covering Pottawatomie County. County offices up for election in 2026 will include county commissioner positions, county clerk, register of deeds, treasurer, and sheriff, as Kansas county offices follow staggered four-year terms. Westmoreland voters should watch for local school board elections for USD 323 Rock Creek and any city special elections or ballot measures.

Kansas voters can request advance ballots (mail-in voting) by submitting an application to the Pottawatomie County Clerk's office; applications are available at pottcounty.org or by calling (785) 457-3314. Advance voting by mail requires an application for each election and ballots must be returned by mail or delivered in person to the county clerk's office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Kansas also offers in-person advance voting at the county clerk's office beginning 20 days before each election. Valid photo identification is required for all voting in Kansas under K.S.A. 25-2908, including driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports, military ID, or student ID from Kansas institutions.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: ✅ Online Statewide Portal | Property: ✅ Free Online Assessor+Recorder | Arrest Logs: ⚠️ Limited Online | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office Required | Business: ✅ Free State Database | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall: 7.5/10 — Pottawatomie County provides strong online access to property records and court cases through state and county portals, with convenient local access since the county seat is located in Westmoreland itself, though some law enforcement and vital records require in-person requests or state-level processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the process for someone who is arrested in Westmoreland, Pottawatomie County, Kansas to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in Westmoreland, Kansas, you will be transported to the Pottawatomie County Detention Center for booking and processing. During booking, officers record personal information, take fingerprints, and photograph the arrestee. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment, or released on bail. The Pottawatomie County Inmate Search portal allows online lookup of current inmates. Contact the Pottawatomie County Clerk of Courts for case information.
The Westmoreland area is served by public school districts in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. School performance data, enrollment statistics, and district boundaries are available through the Kansas Department of Education website. School report cards, test scores, and demographic data are published annually for all public schools.
Crime statistics for Westmoreland, Kansas are reported annually to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program. Local crime data including incident reports, arrest statistics, and calls for service are typically published by the Westmoreland Police Department on their official website. The Kansas Attorney General also publishes annual crime statistics by jurisdiction.
The Westmoreland Public Library provides residents with access to public records research tools. Library cardholders can access online genealogy databases, historical newspaper archives, and Kansas government document repositories. Reference librarians can assist with records requests, ancestry searches, and government document navigation.
The Westmoreland Public Library main branch is located in Westmoreland, Kansas. Check the Westmoreland city website or library system portal for branch addresses, hours of operation, and available services.
Fingerprinting services in Westmoreland, Kansas are available through the Westmoreland Police Department and authorized IdentoGO or Fieldprint enrollment centers. Fingerprinting is required for employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, real estate), concealed carry permits, and adoption applications. Contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office or local law enforcement for walk-in fingerprinting options.
To obtain vital records in Westmoreland, Kansas, contact the Kansas Vital Statistics Unit. Birth and death certificates can be ordered online, by mail, or in person. Marriage licenses are issued by the Pottawatomie County Clerk's office. Certified copies require valid government-issued photo ID and a processing fee. Online ordering is available through VitalCheck or the state health department portal.
Police reports from Westmoreland, Kansas can be obtained from the Westmoreland Police Department or the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office. Submit a request in person, by mail, or online with the incident report number, date, and your identification. Under the Kansas Open Records Act, most incident reports are public records. Processing typically takes 5-10 business days. Traffic accident reports may also be available through the Kansas DMV.
A background check in Westmoreland, Pottawatomie County, Kansas typically includes a review of criminal history records, arrest records, court judgments, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards frequently request background checks. You can request a Kansas criminal history report through the Kansas Department of Public Safety. Federal background checks are available through the FBI Identity History Summary program.