Douglas County, KS Property Records
Douglas, Kansas, property records provide official information about real estate parcels, including ownership details, legal descriptions, parcel numbers, assessed values, property tax information, sales history, land characteristics, and related maps. These records are useful for homeowners, buyers, real estate professionals, researchers, and anyone needing to verify property ownership, estimate taxes, review valuation data, or understand a parcel’s history.
Official Douglas property records are maintained by Douglas County government offices, including the Appraiser’s Office for assessment and parcel data and the Register of Deeds for recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. Users can access current parcel and assessment information through the county’s online Douglas property records search or contact the appropriate county office for certified records and document copies.
Douglas County, KS Property Records & Statistics
Douglas County, home to Lawrence and the University of Kansas, has a median rent of $1,029, well above the Kansas median of $717.50 and the national figure of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing makes up 44.38% of homes, more than double the state's 20.84% and the national 21.81%, reflecting a large student and young-adult population.
The median home value is $249,800, much higher than the state's $108,000 and above the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate is 1.25%, below the Kansas rate of 1.53% but above the national 0.74%. Because home values are high, tax bills in the county can still be substantial even with a rate below the state level.
Median household income is $70,598.50, higher than the state's $61,875 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate is 3.09%, above both the state's 2.03% and the national 2.87%, which may be related to the large student population and seasonal work patterns.
Overall, the figures describe one of the more expensive and rental-heavy housing markets in Kansas, supported by above-average incomes but with slightly higher unemployment than the state and nation.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Douglas
Douglas County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 41,711 total parcels with 96.21% tax record coverage, and the Register of Deeds holds 79,675 deed records and 53,896 mortgage records. Valuation data is available for 31,066 properties, and foreclosures follow a judicial process.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 41,711 |
| Residential Parcels | 35,351 |
| Commercial Parcels | 2,025 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 96.21% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 79,675 |
| Mortgage Records | 53,896 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 31,066 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 983 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records track what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that a mortgage was paid off and the lien removed from the property.
Douglas County has 99,124 assignment and release records available for research. They include 10,607 assignment documents recorded from November 10, 2004, through August 28, 2025, and 88,426 release documents recorded from April 4, 2004, through August 29, 2025, along with 91 other documents.
These records help buyers, owners, and researchers confirm that earlier loans were released, follow a mortgage as it moved between lenders, and spot loans that may still be open before a sale or refinance. The long date range makes it possible to review a property's financing history across more than two decades.
How to Search Douglas County, KS Property Records
Douglas County property records are maintained in Lawrence, where the Register of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, and other documents affecting real estate. The county's tax records cover 41,711 parcels, and the recorder's office holds tens of thousands of deed and mortgage records.
Start with the Douglas County Register of Deeds page for office information and services. To search documents online, use the Douglas County Landmark records search, where you can look up deeds, mortgages, releases, and other recorded instruments. If you need to record documents electronically, the Douglas County e-recording page explains how.
The office is at 1100 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can call 785-832-5282 for help.
For the best results, search by owner name, document type, or date range, and have the property address or parcel number on hand to confirm a match. Review each result for the parties involved and the recording date, and open the document image to see the full details.
Douglas Registrar of Deeds
The Douglas County Probate Office is located at 1100 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044 and can be reached at 785-832-5282. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through landmark.douglascountyks.org or the official website douglascountyks.org.
Douglas County Register of Deeds
Douglas County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Douglas County property records by address?
For recorded documents tied to an address, use the Douglas County Landmark records search. Documents are usually indexed by name and legal description, so a deed can help you confirm the address. Staff at the Register of Deeds, 785-832-5282, can assist if a search does not return a match.
How can I find property owners in Douglas County?
Owners appear on recorded deeds. Search the Douglas County Landmark records search by name to find deeds and see who holds title. The county has 79,675 deed records. If you can't find a current owner, call the Register of Deeds at 785-832-5282 or visit 1100 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Douglas County?
Douglas County's assessment records cover 41,711 parcels for the 2025 assessment year, last updated July 24, 2025. To ask about the assessed value of a specific property, call the Register of Deeds at 785-832-5282 and ask which county office handles valuations, or check the county website for department links.
Where can I find Douglas County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills and payment history are managed by the county's tax offices rather than the Register of Deeds. Call 785-832-5282 or visit the courthouse area at 1100 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence on weekdays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and staff can direct you to the right office. Tax records reflect tax year 2024.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Douglas County?
Deeds, mortgages, releases, and other documents are kept by the Douglas County Register of Deeds. Search them online through the Landmark records search. The office, at 1100 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Where can I access Douglas County parcel maps and GIS information?
Douglas County has 41,711 parcels. Parcel maps and GIS data are published separately from recorded documents. Browse the county's main website at douglascountyks.org for department pages, or call the Register of Deeds at 785-832-5282 and ask where the current parcel map is posted.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Douglas County?
Permits and zoning depend on where a property is. In Lawrence, contact the city for building permits and zoning. For land outside city limits, ask at the Douglas County courthouse. The Register of Deeds at 785-832-5282 can point you to the correct department.
How can I create a list of property owners in Douglas County?
The county's online tools are designed for property-by-property searches. For a list of owners, search the Landmark records search by name or document type, or call the Register of Deeds at 785-832-5282 to ask about bulk requests.