Eviction in Sedgwick County (Wichita), Kansas

Where eviction cases are filed in Sedgwick County (Wichita), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Sedgwick County (Wichita)

Eviction court: Sedgwick County District Court (18th Judicial District) - Civil Department, limited civil (Chapter 61) — State district court, limited actions (K.S.A. ch. 61) Court page
Filing fee: $56 (claim $500 or less), $76 ($500.01-$5,000), $122 (over $5,000) - limited civil action docket fee incl. surcharge and Sedgwick County's additional $2 fee; service costs extra Kansas Judicial Branch self-help: District Court Filing Fees
Notice before filing (state law): 3 days' written notice to pay or the lease terminates (three consecutive 24-hour periods from delivery or posting; add 2 days if mailed). Before filing, a 3-day notice to leave the premises is also required; it may be combined with the RLTA notice. Kansas rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026): $1,099/month HUD
Renter households: 76,373 (37% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Sedgwick County (Wichita)

Eviction cases in Sedgwick County (Wichita) are heard by the Sedgwick County District Court (18th Judicial District) - Civil Department, limited civil (Chapter 61) (State district court, limited actions (K.S.A. ch. 61)).

Sedgwick County Courthouse - Civil Department, 11th floor — 525 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67203 · website

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Evictions are filed as limited civil (Chapter 61) cases; Civil Department (316) 660-5900, clerk hours 8-4. The court posts a clerk's memo for eviction defendants. Records also viewable on the 6th-floor public terminals.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Sedgwick County (Wichita)

$56 (claim $500 or less), $76 ($500.01-$5,000), $122 (over $5,000) - limited civil action docket fee incl. surcharge and Sedgwick County's additional $2 fee; service costs extra

The self-help page lists statewide limited civil action totals of $54 / $74 / $120 and says to add $2.00 in Sedgwick County (additional docket fee authorized by K.S.A. 20-3129). The 18th Judicial District's own chart, from the court's official fee schedule PDF (rev. date: Effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025; https://forms.dc18.org/WIX_Forms/Docket_Fee_20200701-20250630.pdf), shows the same totals ($37/$57/$103 docket fee + $19 surcharge) The chart's end date matches the June 30, 2025 lapse of the Supreme Court's $19 surcharge authority; 2026 Kan. Sess. Laws ch. 35 (HB 2393) reauthorized the surcharge (up to $19 per docket fee) from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, and the base docket fees in K.S.A. 61-4001 ($35 / $55 / $101) are unchanged, so the totals still apply. Unable to pay: file a Poverty Affidavit to ask for a waiver.

Source: Kansas Judicial Branch self-help: District Court Filing Fees

How eviction cases work locally

Eviction Resolution Program	Court program that explains the eviction process and connects landlords and tenants to mediation, financial assistance, legal aid and emergency housing; tenant and landlord intake forms online or call 316-660-5659. Source: Official source
Free legal advice at courthouse	Kansas Legal Services attorneys give same-day, first-come advice to eligible tenants Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., courtroom 5-5, Sedgwick County Courthouse. Source: Official source
Statewide court timeline	Hearing set 3-14 days after the petition; a contested case is set for bench trial within 14 days; a writ of restitution is executed within 14 days. Some eviction records can be expunged starting July 1, 2026 (Eviction Expungement Portal). Source: Official source

The Kansas eviction process

Kansas state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Sedgwick County (Wichita):

Serve the RLTA notice (3-day nonpayment, 14/30-day lease violation, or 30-day month-to-month) and a 3-day notice to leave the premises (may be combined)
File an eviction petition describing the premises and grounds
Summons sets an appearance date 3 to 14 days after issuance; tenant must appear or file a written answer by that date
For RLTA tenancies, the court must consider mediation (continuance of up to 14 days while mediating), effective July 1, 2026
Trial, if needed, within 14 days after the appearance date; judgment
Writ of restitution issued at landlord's request and executed within 14 days by the sheriff or authorized process server

Full Kansas eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Sedgwick County (Wichita)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Wichita, KS HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$782
1 bedroom	$849
2 bedrooms	$1,099
3 bedrooms	$1,444
4 bedrooms	$1,784

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Sedgwick County (Wichita): $998/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

HUD designates this metro a Small Area FMR area: Housing Choice Voucher programs here use ZIP-code-level Small Area FMRs; figures shown are the metro-wide FMRs used for other programs.

County tenant ordinance

No county ordinance identified. The City of Wichita has a retaliatory-eviction ordinance (city page).

Eviction help in Sedgwick County (Wichita)

Free legal help

Kansas Legal Services - Wichita office — (316) 267-3975 or 1-800-723-6953; income screening; also Kansas Free Legal Answers (online).

Rental assistance

Sedgwick County Eviction Resolution Program — Referral to rental/financial assistance, mediation and emergency housing

Other Kansas counties

Eviction in Johnson County (Olathe / Overland Park)

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Sedgwick County (Wichita)?

Eviction cases in Sedgwick County (Wichita) are filed with the Sedgwick County District Court (18th Judicial District) - Civil Department, limited civil (Chapter 61).

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Sedgwick County (Wichita)?

$56 (claim $500 or less), $76 ($500.01-$5,000), $122 (over $5,000) - limited civil action docket fee incl. surcharge and Sedgwick County's additional $2 fee; service costs extra.

Where can I get help with an eviction in Sedgwick County (Wichita)?

Kansas Legal Services - Wichita office; Sedgwick County Eviction Resolution Program.

What is the fair market rent in Sedgwick County (Wichita)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,099 per month (1-bedroom: $849).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.