US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 20049

Elk County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Elk County, Kansas. Serving a population of 2467 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Howard • Land Area: 644,264 sq mi • State: Kansas (KS)
Call: (785) 833-8419 Get Courthouse Directions Kansas Association of Counties ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Elk County Courthouse / Recording Office, Howard, KS 67349

Seat of government for Elk County in Howard, KS.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(785) 833-8419

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 20049 • Coordinates: 37.4560° N, -96.2446° W
Visit Kansas Association of Counties ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Elk County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Elk County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by K.S.A. 28-115
First Page Base Fee
$21.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$17.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
None (Mortgage registration tax abolished)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Kansas:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Elk County

License Fee $85.50
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 180 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Elk County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by District Court Clerk. 3-day waiting period.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $20.00
Death Cert $20.00
Marriage Cert $20.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics and the local Elk County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Elk County

Filing Fee: $0.00
1. Filing Authority

In Elk County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Kansas Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Kansas.

3. State Rules & Notice

Kansas does not require or register county DBA names; corporations register directly with the Secretary of State.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Elk County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Elk County Kansas Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Kansas.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Kansas Compliant
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Kansas Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Kansas county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Kansas Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Kansas

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Kansas recording offices:

Chautauqua County Seat: Sedan
~20.9 mi →
Wilson County Seat: Fredonia
~28.3 mi →
Greenwood County Seat: Eureka
~29.2 mi →
Montgomery County Seat: Independence
~33.2 mi →
Cowley County Seat: Winfield
~36 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Elk County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Elk County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Elk County office is located at Elk County Courthouse / Recording Office, Howard, KS 67349. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (785) 833-8419.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Elk County?
Under Kansas statute (K.S.A. 28-115), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Elk County costs $21.00 for the first page, plus $17.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: None (Mortgage registration tax abolished).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Elk County, KS?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Elk County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $85.50. Kansas requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Elk County?
In Elk County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Kansas Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $0.00. Kansas does not require or register county DBA names; corporations register directly with the Secretary of State.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Elk County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $20.00 and death certificates starting at $20.00) can be requested through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics or directly at the Elk County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.