Kansas Department Of Transportation
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Access Kansas Open Records
KDOT is committed to the public policy of the State that public records be open for inspection unless otherwise provided by Kansas law. If you would like to submit a request for records, please review the information provided on this page.
What Records are Available?
Most records maintained by public entities are open for public inspection and copying. Commonly requested records include crash reports, design plans, agency contracts and maps. Actual records maintained by the agency, whether in written, photographic, or computerized form, may be requested. The Kansas Open Records Act does not require an agency to answer questions or to create a record to respond to a request.
Requesting a Record
Complete the form associated with the type of information being requested. Different divisions and bureaus within KDOT maintain records that are open for inspection and copying. Due to possible delays in U.S. mail delivery, please submit any request for KDOT records using a form linked below.
- This general request form can be used for most inquiries.
- Inquiries related to highway projects and highway right-of-way owned by KDOT.
- Inquiries related to the development and maintenance of highway construction plan records
- Inquiries related to traffic records and crash statistics for Kansas.
Exceptions to the Kansas Open Records Act
The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) recognizes that certain records contain private or privileged information. The Act lists several exceptions, including:
- Personnel records of public employees.
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege.
- Records containing information that if disclosed would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- Records closed by the rules of evidence.
- Notes and preliminary drafts.
- Engineering and architectural estimates.
- Records that include information that would reveal the precise location of an archeological site.
For a full list of exemptions, see K.S.A. 45-221.
Expedite the Process
To expedite the process, you should provide a specific description of the record you are seeking. You may be asked to clarify what records you need so that KDOT understands your request to properly respond to it. KDOT will acknowledge the receipt of your request, and most records will be produced within three business days from the time the request is received.
It may take more than three days to produce the requested records or to determine whether KDOT can comply with a request. Reasons for additional time may include voluminous records, complicated request parameters, unresolved legal issues, or difficulty in accessing archived records.
KDOT may redact information from records based on exceptions listed under K.S.A. 45-221. In addition, KDOT reserves the right to deny requests that are unreasonably burdensome on the agency, or if the records custodian believes that repeated requests are intended to disrupt the functions of the agency.
You may be required to provide proof of your identity.
Certification
Pursuant to K.S.A. 45-230, no person may sell or market property or services to persons on any list of names and addresses derived from public records. Therefore, KDOT may require that a person requesting information which contains names or addresses execute a written certification that the requester does not intend to, and will not use any list of names or addresses provided by KDOT for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any property or service to any person listed or to any person who resides at any address listed; or to otherwise make such information available to any person wanting to sell or market property or services to any person listed.
Fees and Charges
KDOT typically provides records requested under KORA electronically to the requester (via either email or uploaded to KDOT’s FTP site). However, should the requester desire paper copies of documents, pursuant to Executive Order 18-05, KDOT will not assess any charge or fee for copies of the first one hundred pages of documents that are responsive to a request.
For any responsive records, whether provided electronically or by paper, KDOT may charge and require advance payment of fees for the cost of staff time required to compile, review, and make the requested records available. K.S.A. 45-219(c). Should the fees associated with the retrieval of the requested records be greater than one-hundred dollars ($100) KDOT will advise the requestor of the fee prior to the release of the records. For fees greater than $100 KDOT will likely require advance payment.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
- To inspect and obtain copies of public records which are not exempted from disclosure by a specific law.
- To obtain a copy of the agency’s policies and procedures for access to records and to request assistance from the agency’s Freedom of Information Officer.
- To receive a written acknowledgement of your request within three business days.
- To bring a private lawsuit or to file a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office if you feel you are wrongfully denied records.