Central Plains Region, Kansas City

Access to Bankruptcy and Other Court Case Files in Kansas City, MO

The National Archives' Central Plains Region in Kansas City makes available for review closed business and personal bankruptcy case files, and civil and criminal case files from Federal courts in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Certain case files from Federal courts in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, are also available.

Copies of personal bankruptcy case files can be ordered online, by mail or fax, or with the following Court Records Order forms:

For access to and copies of other case files, you must visit the Kansas City facility. If you have questions about the procedures below, call 913-563-7600 between 8 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. or e-mail kansascity.reference@nara.gov.

Visiting The Kansas City Facility

You MUST make an appointment before visiting the facility. To do so, follow the steps below:

Step 1 - Acquire case information from the Federal court.

For each case, obtain the following information from the court where the case was closed. Your request cannot be processed without this information.

  • The city in which the court is located
  • Case file name (s)
  • Case file number
  • Transfer number
  • Agency box number
  • NARA location numbers

Step 2 - Schedule an appointment.

Call 913-563-7600 between 8 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. weekdays, except Federal holidays, to schedule an appointment. You will have to provide the following information:

  • The case information from Step 1.
  • Your name and daytime telephone number.

Appointments are scheduled between 8 A.M. and 3 P.M. weekdays. You will usually be given an appointment on the first or second business day after your call. Please do not travel to the facility without scheduling an appointment because the case file(s) you wish to review will not be available.

You can also schedule an appointment by mailing or faxing: 1)the information from the court and 2)your name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number to us. Our mailing address is NARA's Central Plains Region, Suite 47-48 17501 W. 98th Street, Lenexa, KS 66219. Our fax number is 913-563-7691. We will call you with an appointment time, or let you know why we cannot fill your request to review the file.

Step 3 - Arrive at the appointed time.

Only paper and pencil, laptop computers, or portable audio recording devices may be used for note taking. Briefcases, pocketbooks, bags, and other personal items must be checked in a locker or returned to your vehicle. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the research room.

  • The Kansas City FRC has moved to Lenexa, KS. It is located near the intersection of Renner Road and Prairie Star Parkway (95th St.) Please call 913-563-7600 for specific directions.

Step 4 - Obtain Copies of Documents.

You must identify the pages you wish to have copied. The research room staff is not trained in court procedures and can provide only limited assistance in identifying pages that you need. All questions regarding file contents must be directed to the appropriate Federal court.

Please note:

  • Certified and uncertified copies are available. Costs are $ .50 (50 cents) per copy, $6.00 per certification.
  • Payment is due before the copies are made.
  • Payment may be made by money order or personal check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund, valid identification required), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA. Cash cannot be accepted.
  • No copies will be made after 3:00 P.M.
  • Photocopy requests of more than 50 pages will either be mailed to you or will be available for pick-up the following day.
Top of Page

Access - Personal Bankruptcy Case Files

Copies of Court Records can now be ordered online. This is an easy and convenient method to order copies of case files.

The facility will also accept mail and faxed requests for photocopies of personal bankruptcy case files (not business bankruptcy, criminal, or civil case files).

Please follow the steps below.

Step 1 - Acquire case information from the Federal court.

For each case, obtain the following information from the court where the case was filed and closed. Please Use One Page Per Case.

  • The city in which the court is located
  • Case file number
  • Case file name
  • Transfer number
  • NARA location number
  • Agency box number

Step 2 - Select from the options below.

Identify whether you want the Entire Contents of the case file photocopied, a Package of documents, or Selected documents:

--- The Entire Contents of the case file. This option includes all the documents in the case file.

  • Cost if we Fax the copies to you: $35.00 if the file is 70 pages or less. We cannot fax over 70 pages. Faxed copies cannot be certified.
  • Cost if we Mail the copies to you: $35.00 for up to 70 pages uncertified, $41.00 certified. 50 cents for each additional page, $6.00 per certification.

If the case file exceeds 70 pages, we can return it to the court for your review.

--- A Package containing commonly requested documents. This option includes one or more of the documents listed below (no substitutes accepted). Note that some bankruptcy cases do not contain all the documents listed. If you chose the Package, you will receive only the copies of the documents found in the file. All questions concerning file contents should be directed to the appropriate bankruptcy court. The Package costs $10.00 for uncertified copies or $16.00 for certified copies.

  1. Final Decree, Order of Dismissal, or Order of Discharge
  2. Debtor's Voluntary Petition
  3. Statement of All Liabilities of Debtor, including Schedules A1 (E), A2 (D), and A3 (F)
  4. Summary of Debts and Property (Assets)
  5. Trustee's No Asset Report
  6. Debtor's Voluntary Petition

---Selected Documents. You must include a copy of the docket sheet for the case file, and circle the documents that are to be copied. Cost is $35.00 for uncertified, $41.00 for certified.

Step 3 - So that we can send you your copies, give us your:

  • Name:
  • Address:
  • City:
  • State:
  • Zip code:
  • Daytime telephone number (if we have a problem with your request):
  • Fax number (only if you want your copies faxed to you):

Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. See our Privacy Policy.

Step 4 - Pay for your copies.

Make payment by money order, personal check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund, valid identification required), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA. Provide type of credit card, account number, expiration date, and cardholder's authorized signature.

Summary of Charges:
Entire Contents = $35.00 ($41.00 certified)
Package = $10.00 ($16.00 certified)
Selected Documents = $35.00 ($41.00 certified)

Step 5 - Mail payment or credit card information and the above information to:

NARA's Central Plains Region
Suite 47-48 17501 W. 98th Street
Lenexa, KS 66219

Your photocopies will be sent to you within 3 days of receipt of your order. If you want express service, please prepay the charges or provide your account number and name of the express company.

Your Request, and Any Fees Submitted, Will be Returned to You if:

  1. The information supplied in Step 1 is incorrect or incomplete.
  2. The name on the case file does not match the name requested.
  3. You fail to enclose full credit card information or the amount of your enclosed payment is incorrect.
  4. The charge to your credit card is declined.
  5. The case file is not for a Personal bankruptcy (not to exceed one folder and no farm or other business is involved).

Top of Page

PDF files require the free Adobe Reader.
More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272