Smith County Sheriff’s Department

The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Smith County, Kansas. The Sheriff is an elected official responsible for preserving the peace, enforcing state and local laws, and providing public safety services throughout the county. The department operates from its office at 217 South Jefferson St, Smith Center, KS 66967, located on the east side of the Courthouse, across from the Smith Center Grade School.

Under Kansas statutes, sheriffs have several core legal responsibilities:

• Preserving the Peace: A duty explicitly outlined in K.S.A. 19-813.

• Jail Administration: Managing and maintaining custody of the county jail and its inmates, as required by K.S.A. 19-811.

• Court Services: Serving legal documents, executing court orders, and attending court sessions, as described in K.S.A. 19-812.

The Sheriff’s Office works closely with neighboring agencies and state partners to ensure coordinated public safety across the region.

Public Services

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office provides essential services to the community, including vehicle inspections, fingerprinting, and safe medication disposal.

Title Inspections (VIN Inspections)

The Sheriff’s Office conducts regular Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspections, required by Kansas law for vehicles with out-of-state titles prior to registration.

• Scope: This service is for regular titles only. The Sheriff’s Office does not perform inspections for antique vehicles (older than 35 years) or vehicles with salvage or branded titles. Those specialized inspections must be conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol. Call (785) 625-3518 to schedule an appointment.

• Time: Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (subject to staff availability).

• What to Bring: You must provide the vehicle, the original title (or a certified copy from the Treasurer), and a valid driver’s license.

• Fee: There is a $20 fee (Cash or Check only), typically collected at the time of service.

Digital Fingerprinting (Kansas Livescan)

The department offers Livescan fingerprinting for background checks required for employment, professional licensing, or other legal purposes.

• Process: Livescan technology captures and submits fingerprints electronically, providing a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional ink methods.

• Requirements: Please bring all paperwork provided by your requesting service (usually generated after completing an online form).

• Inquiries: Contact the Sheriff’s Office at (785) 282-5180 to confirm availability and determine if an appointment is required.

• Walk-in Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (subject to staff availability).

Prescription Drug Disposal

To help prevent medication misuse and protect the environment, the Sheriff’s Office provide a safe way for residents to dispose of unwanted medications.

• Drop Box: A secure disposal box is available in the lobby for expired or unused prescription drugs.

• Guidelines: Please ensure all personal information is removed or blacked out on the packaging. (Note: We cannot accept needles/sharps, inhalers, or liquids).

• Hours: Available Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Registered Offenders

In accordance with the Kansas Offender Registration Act (K.S.A. 22-4901 et seq.), the Smith County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the registration and monitoring of sex, drug, and violent offenders residing, working, or attending school within the county.

Public Registry Access

The public can search for registered offenders in Smith County and throughout the state via the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Registered Offender Website. This database provides offender profiles, offense details, and location mapping.

Registration Requirements

Offenders are required by law to report to the Sheriff’s Office for initial registration and periodic updates (typically four times a year).

• Fees: A state-mandated $30 registration fee (Cash or Check only) is collected at each reporting interval. This price increase is effective July 1, 2026, per K.S.A. 22-4904.

• Appointments: To ensure staff availability, offenders are encouraged to call (785) 282-5180 to schedule an appointment.

• Walk-in Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (subject to staff availability). After hours—call to schedule an appointment.

Additional Resources

• Scam Resource Page: Visit our dedicated page to learn about current scams, how to identify fraud, and how to report suspicious activity.

• Jail FAQ (Coming Soon): We are currently developing a guide to help family and friends navigate procedures for inmates, including visitation, mail, and phone accounts.