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Pratt County, Kansas

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
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Pratt County was created on 1879 from Peketon Territory. The County Seat is Pratt. There were in the beginning, three contenders for the county seat. Saratoga, located three miles to the east, Iuka, which held the seat until a redistricting of the area and Pratt, the most centrally located.

The county was named after Caleb S. Pratt, a Bostonian and 2nd Lieutenant for the Union during the Civil War. The State Legislature of Kansas, at a loss for names for some 105 counties, chose to use those of officers of the Union side, bearing no connection between the counties and the men they were named for.

Counties adjacent to Pratt County are Stafford County (north), Reno County (northeast), Kingman County (east), Barber County (south), Kiowa County (west), Edwards County (northwest). Cities and Towns Include Pratt, (county seat), Iuka, Preston, Sawyer, Coats, Cullison, Byers.

Pratt was founded in 1884 on a site that was once the hunting grounds of the Kiowa Indians.

When one town seemed to have the advantage, the other two would join forces creating an obstacle. In 1885, a horseman rode through the main street of Pratt shouting, "Indians! Indians!". While some inhabitants had been warned of the scare, others fled to town buildings for a day or two until the event proved to be unfounded.

January 6, 1886, proved to be the worst blizzard know to this county before or since. An estimated 80 percent of the cattle froze to death along with a large number of residents of the county.

An election finally established Pratt as the bearer of the crown and the home of the county offices in 1888. It was so well accepted as the county seat near the end of the first decade that the citizens elected in 1909 to assume the debt of building a new courthouse.

One of the most colorful elements of Pratt history is the tale of "Skunk" Johnson, an early fur trapper who had built a cave near the Ninnescah River as his home. "Skunk" inherited his name when he was forced by the Indians to live in his cave . . . and ate skunk oil to survive.

Pratt is located on the Rock Island (Southern Pacific) Railroad.

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Records at the Pratt County Courthouse

See Also Kansas Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link, by contacting the Phone number below for each department or contacting the County Courthouse at 300 S. Ninnescah, Pratt KS 67124. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Some early records may be found there.

Pratt County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1888–1900, Marriage Records from 1879 and Death Records from 1888–1900.

The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.

Pratt County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1879.

The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.

Pratt County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1879 and Court Records from 1879.

The Clerk of Court is part of the Judicial Branch of local government and as such is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.

Pratt County Treasurers Office - The County Treasurer's Office by Kansas State law is responsible for the tax billing, collection and distribution of tax money for the State, County, Cities and all other taxing entities that levy Ad Valorem and/or special assessment taxes.

For the most part, tax records remain at the local level. Assessment and tax rolls are kept, permanently, by the County Treasurer's office.

Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Pratt County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Kansas

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Office of Vital Statistics, 1000 S W Jackson, Suite 110, Topeka, KS 66612; (785) 296-1400 Info; (785) 296-3253. They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: In Kansas, Birth certificates began being filed with the Office July 1, 1911. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds birth records before July 1, 1911.
    • Cost: $12.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $7 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
    • Delayed Certificates of Birth: are on file with dates of birth dating back to the 1860's. In 1940, statutory authority was received by the Office which allowed individuals still alive in 1940 and later with no prior birth record filed to submit certain documentation to file a Delayed Certificate of Birth. A request for a Delayed Certificate of Birth is made in the same manner as one for a regular birth certificate – just specify the date of birth. If the date specified is between the late 1860's and July 1, 1911, a Delayed Certificate of Birth search will be conducted.
  • Death Certificates: In Kansas, Death certificates began being filed with the Office July 1, 1911. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds death records before July 1, 1911.
    • Cost: $13.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $8 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
  • Marriage Certificates: In Kansas, Death certificates began being filed with the Office May 1, 1913. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds marriage records before May 1, 1913.
    • Cost: $12.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $7 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
  • Divorces: Divorce Certificates began being filed with this office July 1, 1951. The divorce decree is not filed with this office. The decree is the court document detailing the settlement of the divorce. The divorce certificate is completed by the plaintiff's attorney and contains only basic information – names of husband and wife, date of marriage, date of divorce, etc. Certified copies of divorce decrees are obtained from the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
    • Cost: $12.00 is the cost for the search, which includes one copy of the divorce certificate, if found. Additional copies of the same record, requested at the same time as the first, are $7.00 each.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! All Fees below cover a five-year record search – one certified copy is issued if the record is found and if not found, the fee is retained. You will receive either the certified copy or a letter explaining the search conducted and that no record was located.

Ordering Vital Records - You can also order

  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.

    Ordering Vital Records by Mail - Go to Curtis State Office Bldg., 1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 120, Topeka, KS 66612. Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays.Payment made by cash, check, money order, or credit card. All Request Filled requests take 2-4 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death)

    Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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    Pratt County Census Records

    See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Kansas

    Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

    Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Pratt County, Kansas are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Pratt County, Kansas are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

    Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    Pratt County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Kansas

    Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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    Pratt County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Kansas Genealogical Addresses

    Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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    Pratt County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Kansas

    There are many churches and cemeteries in Pratt County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Pratt County Tombstone Transcription Project.

    The Register of Deeds in each county is often able to assist in locating cemeteries. Certain maps distributed by the Kansas Department of Transportation show the location of known cemeteries in relation to county roads.

    Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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    County Church & Bible Records

    See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Kansas

     

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    Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

     

    Below is a list of online resources for Pratt County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Pratt County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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