Adams County Court Records Search
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Adams County, Nebraska, maintains a two-tiered court system serving residents of Hastings and the surrounding communities. The county’s legal records span a broad range of case types, from felony criminal proceedings managed by the District Court to civil, traffic, probate, and juvenile matters handled by the County Court. Both courts are housed in the Adams County Courthouse at 500 West 4th Street in Hastings, though they operate from separate suites with distinct jurisdictions and clerks. Whether you are conducting a background check, researching a family matter, or following an active civil dispute, understanding which court holds the records you need is the essential first step.
Residents and researchers looking to locate court case information in Nebraska have several practical avenues available to them. Public access terminals at courthouses and law libraries across the state allow free in-person searches of the statewide JUSTICE case management system. For remote access, NebraskaCourts.us can help users locate publicly available court case information and navigate the state’s judicial resources. Searches are also available through the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s online eServices portal, either through a one-time paid search or a subscriber account, as described in detail below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Adams County?
The Nebraska Judicial Branch operates a statewide case management system called JUSTICE, which indexes records from all 93 county and district courts in Nebraska, including Adams County. There are three practical ways to search this system:
- Free courthouse terminal: Any member of the public can walk into the Adams County Courthouse and use the public access terminal at no charge. Similar terminals are available at law libraries statewide, including the Nebraska State Library and Creighton’s Klutznick Law Library.
- One-time online search: The JUSTICE One-Time Court Case Search allows a single name-based search for a fee of $17. The search returns up to 30 matching records and provides access to case summaries, party information, financial data, and a register of actions.
- Subscriber account: Organizations or individuals who perform frequent searches can create a subscriber account through Nebraska.gov for an annual fee of $100, allowing up to 10 user logins. Viewing individual case details costs $2 per case; document images carry no additional charge.
Each case record in JUSTICE includes the case summary, party names, offense information for criminal matters, financial costs or judgments, and a register of actions listing filed documents, hearings, and judge orders. Most filed documents are available as viewable electronic images. For a broader view of the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s court records guidance, including instructions on sealing records or requesting transcripts, visit the Nebraska Judicial Branch Court Records page.
To request records directly by mail or in person, contact the appropriate court clerk:
Adams County District Court
Address: 500 West 4th Street, Suite 200, Hastings, NE 68901
Phone: (402) 461-7264 | Fax: (402) 461-7269
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Adams County Court (County Court)
Address: 500 West 4th Street, Suite 203 (2nd Floor), Hastings, NE 68902
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 95, Hastings, NE 68902-0095
Phone: (402) 461-7143 | Fax: (402) 461-7144
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Adams County?
Nebraska’s public records framework is established by Nebraska Revised Statutes § 84-712, which presumes that all government records — including court records — are open to inspection and copying by residents and other interested parties. The statute does not require a requestor to state a reason or prove a qualifying interest to view most records.
However, § 84-712.05 identifies categories of records that may be withheld from public disclosure. For court records specifically, restricted categories include:
- Juvenile records — case files involving minors are generally sealed from public view
- Adoption records — adoption proceedings are confidential under Nebraska law
- Sealed criminal records — records sealed pursuant to a court order following a conviction set-aside or expungement
- Ongoing law enforcement investigative files — records related to active investigations
- Sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, medical information, and similar data are routinely redacted before records are released
The Nebraska Supreme Court has also issued administrative rules governing electronic court records through § 1-808 of the Court Rules, which enumerate specific record types excluded from public online access even when the underlying physical record may be available in person. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may pursue remedies under § 84-712.03, which provides for court enforcement of the public records law.
For public records requests directed to county offices — including the Sheriff’s Office and other departments — the Adams County Public Records Request page identifies the appropriate contact for each department.
Adams County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records in Adams County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the charge. The Adams County District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases. The District Court also handles preliminary hearings and arraignments that may originate in other divisions. The Adams County District Court Clerk maintains the official files for all felony matters, including charging documents, motions, sentencing orders, and case dispositions.
Misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and felony preliminary hearings are processed through the Adams County Court. The County Court’s criminal docket covers a wide range of matters below the felony threshold, and its records are maintained by Clerk Magistrate Thomas J. Hawes.
For those seeking a certified statewide criminal history report rather than records from a single case, the Nebraska State Patrol processes criminal history record requests for a fee of $30.00 per online report. This service is commonly used for employment screening, licensing applications, and background checks requiring a formal certified document.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, located on the main floor of the courthouse (Suite 126), handles law enforcement matters including warrant information and inmate records. The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (402) 461-7181. Non-emergency inquiries and civil process matters can be directed to the same number.
To search criminal case records online, use the JUSTICE One-Time Search described above or access the Nebraska Judicial Branch Case Information eServices portal, which allows both trial court and appellate court case searches.
Adams County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction in Adams County is split based on the dollar amount in dispute. The District Court handles civil cases where the amount at issue exceeds $15,000, as well as equity cases and appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies. The County Court handles civil disputes up to $15,000, small claims matters, and eviction proceedings. As of July 1, 2025, Nebraska increased the jurisdictional limit for county court civil cases to $70,000, which expands the range of matters that can be resolved without filing in District Court.
To request civil records in person, contact the respective clerk based on which court handled the case:
| Case Type | Court | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Civil disputes > $15,000 | District Court (Suite 200) | (402) 461-7264 |
| Civil disputes ≤ $15,000 / Small claims | County Court (Suite 203) | (402) 461-7143 |
| Small claims (up to $6,000 traditionally) | County Court (Suite 203) | (402) 461-7143 |
The Clerk of the District Court is also responsible for scanning, filing, and processing civil court documents and maintaining the official record. In addition to the JUSTICE online search tools, some civil case records may be located through the Adams County Probate Court Record Search portal, which serves as an additional search tool for county-level records.
When requesting copies of civil records by mail, include the case number if known, the names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and a description of the specific documents needed. Court staff will advise on any applicable copy fees at the time of the request.
Adams County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Adams County fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court, which hears all domestic relations cases including divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and alimony. These case files are maintained by the District Court Clerk at Suite 200 in the courthouse.
Divorce records in Adams County have two components. The court file containing pleadings, motions, and the dissolution decree is held by the District Court Clerk and can be accessed in person or through the JUSTICE online system. Certified divorce certificates — a summary document issued by the state — are obtained separately through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office. The fee for a certified divorce certificate is $16 per copy, payable by check, money order, or credit card (online orders only). Applications can be submitted online at nevitalrecords-dhhs.ne.gov or mailed with the completed Divorce Certificate Application Form to:
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5065
Marriage licenses and certificates are similarly available through the DHHS Vital Records office. The fee for a certified marriage certificate is $16 per copy. The Marriage Certificate Application Form must be submitted by mail or online, accompanied by a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID. The in-person DHHS Vital Records office is located at 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adoption and Juvenile Records
Adoption proceedings are handled through the County Court, but adoption records are confidential under Nebraska law. Requests to access adoption decrees require a formal petition and are explained through the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s self-help resources. Juvenile court records are generally sealed and not available for public inspection. Adams, Lancaster, Douglas, and Sarpy counties each maintain a separate juvenile court track within the County Court structure.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Adams County are maintained exclusively by the Nebraska DHHS Vital Records office and are not held at the local county level. Certified birth certificates cost $17 per copy; certified death certificates cost $16 per copy. Both can be ordered online through nevitalrecords-dhhs.ne.gov or by mailing the appropriate application form with payment to Nebraska Vital Records in Lincoln.
Under Nebraska Revised Statutes § 71-601, birth records are restricted. Access is generally limited to the person named on the record (if aged 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian, or an individual with a qualifying court order. Death records are similarly restricted to immediate family members — the spouse, parent, or child of the deceased.
Adams County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Adams County are administered by the County Court, which serves as the probate division for the 10th Judicial District. The court handles the full range of probate proceedings under Nebraska law, including:
- Decedent estates and administration of wills
- Intestate succession (dying without a will)
- Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Trusts
- Name changes
- Mental health commitment hearings
The County Court is presided over by the Honorable Michael P. Burns, the Honorable Natalie G. Nelsen-Pacey, and the Honorable Michael O. Mead, all judges of the 10th Judicial District. Clerk Magistrate Thomas J. Hawes handles day-to-day case processing.
Probate records are public with limited exceptions (such as sealed guardianship matters involving minors). Case summaries and party information for probate cases filed in Adams County can be searched through the Nebraska Judicial Branch Case Information eServices portal, which covers all trial court cases statewide including probate. The portal notes that data may reflect a delay of at least 24 hours from the time of filing; for fully verified and current information, contacting the court directly or visiting in person is recommended.
In-person probate records requests should be directed to:
Adams County Court Clerk — Probate Division
Address: 500 West 4th Street, Suite 203, Hastings, NE 68901
Phone: (402) 461-7143
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For those researching historical probate records, the Nebraska State Genealogical Society maintains resources that may assist with older estate filings that predate electronic records systems.
Property records closely related to estate administration — including deeds, mortgages, and plats — are maintained by the Adams County Register of Deeds at Suite 104 (phone: (402) 461-7130), while property tax and valuation data is held by the Adams County Assessor at Suite 107 (phone: (402) 461-7116). Both offices are located at 500 West 4th Street in the Adams County Courthouse and are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.