Leavenworth, Riley, and Manhattan Kansas Small Claims Court Guide

Filing small claims in Kansas's smaller counties follows the same state rules as the big metros, but the courthouse logistics differ. Leavenworth County (1st Judicial District), Riley County (21st Judicial District), and their surrounding courts each have local details worth knowing before you drive out to file.

Leavenworth County (1st Judicial District)

The Leavenworth County District Court is located at 601 S 3rd Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Small claims filings go through the civil clerk's window.

Leavenworth County publishes its own small claims filing packet (commonly referenced as the "scpf.pdf" packet) that bundles the petition, summons, and local instructions into one document. Pick it up at the clerk's office or download it from the court's website.

Filing fees match the statewide schedule: $47.50 for claims of $500 or less, $67.50 for claims between $500.01 and $10,000. Sheriff service runs approximately $15 per defendant.

The 1st Judicial District also covers Atchison County. If the defendant lives in Atchison County, you file at the Atchison County District Court instead, even though both counties share the same judicial district.

Riley County (21st Judicial District)

Riley County's District Court sits at 100 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS 66502. This courthouse serves Manhattan and the surrounding area, including Fort Riley.

Filing works the same way: complete the statewide Small Claims Petition, file at the clerk's counter, and pay the docket fee. Riley County follows statewide fee schedules — no local surcharge variations beyond what K.S.A. 61-2704 authorizes.

The 21st Judicial District covers Riley County and Clay County. File in whichever county the defendant resides in. If the defendant is connected to Fort Riley (military personnel), confirm their legal residence — service members may claim domicile in a different state, which could affect venue.

Manhattan, Kansas

Manhattan is the Riley County seat, so the courthouse above is your filing location. The town has a significant student and military population (Kansas State University and Fort Riley), which means disputes often involve rental security deposits, auto transactions, and contractor work on rental properties.

For landlord-tenant disputes specifically, Kansas's security deposit rules require landlords to return the deposit or provide an itemized deduction list within 30 days of move-out. That statutory deadline under K.S.A. 58-2550 drives many of the small claims filings in Manhattan.

Shared Filing Tips for Smaller Counties

Check clerk hours. Unlike Johnson or Sedgwick counties, which keep full weekday schedules, some smaller county courts close for lunch or operate reduced hours on certain days. Call ahead.

Bring exact payment. Not all smaller county clerks accept credit cards. Check or money order payable to "Clerk of the District Court" is safest.

Service across county lines. If you file in Leavenworth County but the defendant works in Wyandotte County, you can still serve them there — service just goes through the Wyandotte County Sheriff or by certified mail to the defendant's address. The venue rules determine where you file, not where you serve.

Getting Started

Confirm the defendant's county of residence, verify their legal name through the Kansas Secretary of State search (if it's a business), and complete the petition. The Kansas Small Claims Filing Guide covers the full process, including forms, service, hearing prep, and post-judgment collection.

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