Ford County, Kansas, consists of  14 townships and four cities. In Ford County, KS, property records serve as a public real estate catalog, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of property ownership and ensuring fair property taxation.

Ford County property records offer a glimpse into the local real estate trends with a median home value of $144,400, a median rent of $801, and a median household income of $60,779. On the taxation front, county property owners pay a median rate of 1.67% of their property's assessed value.

Property records in Ford County, KS, are managed by the  Register of Deeds, including those from the 1800s. As an elected office, the Register provides public service by recording and preserving real estate documents such as deeds, liens, mortgages, plat maps, and subdivisions the county citizens submit.

The Register's office usually scans every recorded document and stores them in various office terminals according to names involved, recording date, legal description, instrument type, and book/page to facilitate an efficient retrieval in the future.

Some documents have been integrated into online sites to provide remote public access. For users who prefer occasional or one-time searching, the  Tapestry search tool is recommended. This site houses document indices and images from 2001 onwards.

If long-term usage is foreseen, it is best to go with the  Laredo application. This system offers a downloadable program that requires an  agreement with the Register of Deeds.

For members of the public who prefer on-site document browsing, the Register of Deeds office at Gunsmoke St., Dodge City, KS, is open during office hours.

The Register often charges fees for copies of property records obtained from their office. For a detailed copy fee breakdown, contact the Register of Deeds at (620) 227-4565.

Concerns regarding property zoning can be addressed by contacting the  Ford County Planning, Zoning, and Environmental Health Department at (620) 371-3977. They enforce zoning ordinances, maintain the zoning map, and oversee the county's compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations and the comprehensive land use plan.