Dakota County Court Records Search

Dakota County sits in the northeastern corner of Nebraska along the Missouri River, with Dakota City as the county seat. The Dakota County Courthouse at 1601 Broadway Street is home to both a District Court and a County Court, which together handle felony and complex civil cases, misdemeanor and traffic matters, probate proceedings, and family law. The Clerk of the District Court, the County Court Clerk, and several supporting county offices maintain the records that come out of those proceedings.

If you're new to searching Nebraska court records, NebraskaCourts.us is a good place to get oriented — it explains the state court structure and points you toward publicly available case information. In Dakota County specifically, you can access court records in person at the clerk's offices, through public terminals at the courthouse, by mailing a written request, or online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's statewide case search platform. The clerk's offices and courthouse terminals are your most reliable options when you need complete or certified records.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Dakota County?

Two offices hold the bulk of Dakota County's court records. The Clerk of the District Court handles felony cases, civil matters, divorce filings, and other district-level proceedings. The County Court Clerk covers misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and probate. Identifying which court handled your case is the first step before making any request.

Online Search via JUSTICE

The Nebraska Judicial Branch runs the JUSTICE online case search system, which gives the public statewide access to criminal, civil, traffic, juvenile, and probate case records. You have two options:

One-Time Search: A $17.00 fee (updated from the prior $15.00 rate) returns up to 30 records per search, with access to case text and images.
Subscriber Account: If you search frequently, you can enroll for a subscriber account at a lower per-record rate.

You can search by party name or case number. Keep in mind that sealed, expunged, and certain juvenile records won't appear in the public JUSTICE portal.

In-Person and Public Terminal Access

Free public access terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site searching. If you need physical copies or certified records, bring your request directly to the appropriate clerk's office.

Court	Address	Phone	Fax	Hours
Dakota County District Court	1601 Broadway, P.O. Box 66, Dakota City, NE 68731	(402) 987-2114	(402) 987-2117	Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Dakota County Court	1601 Broadway, P.O. Box 385, Dakota City, NE 68731	(402) 987-2145	(402) 987-2185	Mon–Fri, 7:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

The District Court Clerk is Kathy Wiltgen (email: kathy.wiltgen@nebraska.gov). The County Court is presided over by Judge Edward H. Matney and is part of the 6th County Court Judicial District.

Mail Requests

Written requests for copies may be sent by mail to the relevant clerk's office at the addresses listed above. Include the party name, the case number if you have it, and the type of record you need. Copy fees apply, so contact the clerk in advance to confirm current rates before sending any payment.

Are Court Records Public in Dakota County?

Public access to court records in Dakota County is shaped by the Nebraska Public Records Law, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 through 84-712.09. That law gives both citizens and non-citizens a broad right to inspect and copy public records, and it directs courts to interpret the law in favor of disclosure. Exceptions are narrowly defined.

That said, certain records are withheld or restricted in Dakota County:

Juvenile records — sealed by statute to protect minors
Adoption and guardianship records — confidential by law
Law enforcement and investigative records — withheld when release would interfere with an active investigation
Medical and personnel records — protected under privacy statutes
Trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information — exempt under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05
Information about victims or witnesses in certain criminal cases — restricted to protect personal safety
Sealed and expunged records — removed from public access by court order

When a file contains both disclosable and confidential content, the clerk may release the non-confidential portions with redactions applied to the sensitive material. If you believe a denial is improper, you can seek review through the Nebraska Attorney General's office or ask a court to order disclosure.

Dakota County Criminal Court Records

Felony criminal cases in Dakota County go through the District Court. The County Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and traffic matters. All felony cases also pass through an initial appearance and preliminary hearing at the County Court before moving up to the District Court.

Searching Criminal Records

Criminal case records — charges, docket entries, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgments — are searchable through the JUSTICE online case search system. If you need physical files or certified copies, go to the District Court Clerk's office for felony matters, or the County Court Clerk for misdemeanor and traffic cases.

Sheriff's Office and Arrest Records

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office is the primary source for arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking data in the county.

Dakota County Sheriff's Office

Courthouse Location:
Address: 1601 Broadway, P.O. Box 305, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2170

Law Enforcement Center (LEC):
Address: 701 W. 29th Street, South Sioux City, NE 68776
Phone: (402) 494-7555
Website: dakotacosheriffne.org

Courthouse Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
LEC Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Dispatch: Open 24 hours a day

You can request arrest records and incident reports at either the LEC in South Sioux City or the courthouse office. Jail roster information is also available through the Sheriff's Office website.

Statewide Criminal Background Checks

The Nebraska State Patrol processes criminal history record requests. A name-based (limited criminal history) search costs $30.00 and can be submitted online. Fingerprint-based searches carry a separate fee structure. The Nebraska Limited Criminal History portal accepts credit card payments for online name-based searches.

Criminal Record Sealing and Rehabilitation

Nebraska allows sealing of criminal records following a pardon under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523. Certain convictions may also be set aside under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2264. The Nebraska Judicial Branch's criminal record rehabilitation page explains eligibility and the petition process. In Dakota County, you file that petition with the District Court — the sentencing court for felony matters.

Dakota County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Dakota County are divided by the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The District Court handles larger-dollar and more complex civil disputes, while the County Court covers small claims and civil matters below the district court threshold.

Accessing Civil Records

Civil case records are searchable through the JUSTICE portal and in person at the appropriate clerk's office. When making a request, have the party name or case number ready. Fees for certified copies vary — call the District Court Clerk at (402) 987-2114 to confirm current rates before submitting your request.

Small Claims

Small claims matters in Dakota County are handled by the County Court. Call the County Court Clerk at (402) 987-2145 to get information on filing procedures, jurisdictional limits, and associated fees.

Property Records

Real property records in Dakota County — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, assignments, releases, and affidavits — are recorded with and maintained by the Register of Deeds Office.

Dakota County Register of Deeds
Address: 1601 Broadway Street, P.O. Box 511, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2166 | Fax: (402) 494-9269
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The Dakota County Register of Deeds FAQ provides guidance on record types and search procedures. The Nebraska Deeds Online portal lets you search Dakota County deed records remotely, with general document information viewable free of charge.

For assessed property values, parcel data, and tax classification, contact the Dakota County Assessor's Office. An interactive GIS parcel viewer is also available for mapping and parcel lookups.

Dakota County Assessor's Office
Address: 1601 Broadway Street, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2101 | Fax: (402) 494-9201
Mailing: P.O. Box 9, Dakota City, NE 68731
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Dakota County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Dakota County — divorce, child custody, child support, domestic abuse protection orders, and adoption — fall under District Court jurisdiction. The District Court Clerk maintains all family case files, and many of those records are accessible through the JUSTICE portal.

Divorce Records

Divorce decrees and related case documents are public records held by the Clerk of the District Court at 1601 Broadway, Dakota City. You can search by party name through the JUSTICE system, or submit an in-person or mail request to the clerk's office. Have the full names of both parties and the approximate filing year ready. Certified copies carry a fee — confirm the current rate directly with the clerk at (402) 987-2114.

For divorce verifications, the Nebraska Office of Vital Records can provide certified divorce records to individuals who can show proof of a qualifying relationship.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage certificates are maintained by the Dakota County Clerk's Office.

Dakota County Clerk
Address: 1601 Broadway (Courthouse), Dakota City, NE 68731
Mailing: P.O. Box 39, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2129
Email: countyclerk@dakotacounty.ne.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

To request a certified copy by mail, download and complete the Dakota County marriage certificate application form and send it with a photocopy of a valid photo ID and a $9.00 non-refundable fee to P.O. Box 39, Dakota City, NE 68731. In-person requests are accepted at the clerk's office during regular hours. Access is limited to the parties named on the record, their offspring, and legal representatives with proof of representation.

Birth Records

Birth records in Nebraska are restricted to eligible requesters — the named individual (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, and persons with a court order or documented legal interest. The Nebraska Office of Vital Records maintains birth records from 1904 to the present.

To get a certified copy of a Dakota County birth certificate, submit the completed birth certificate application form along with a copy of valid identification, a stamped self-addressed business-size envelope, any required proof of authorization, and a signed check or money order for $17.00 per copy payable to "Vital Records", to:

Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065

The DHHS Vital Records page has current application forms, instructions, and a list of accepted identification types.

Death Records

Death records carry the same access restrictions as birth records. Certified death certificates cost $16.00 per copy from the Vital Records Office. Submit the completed death certificate application form with a valid ID copy, a stamped self-addressed business-size envelope, and a signed check or money order to the same Nebraska Vital Records mailing address listed above.

Protection Orders

Domestic abuse protection orders and harassment restraining orders filed in Dakota County District Court are part of the public court record, but victim-identifying details may be restricted. Contact the District Court Clerk at (402) 987-2114 for guidance on requesting protection order records.

Dakota County Probate Court Records

In Nebraska, probate jurisdiction rests with the County Court. The Dakota County Court, under Judge Edward H. Matney, handles all probate proceedings in the county — estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and related matters. The County Court Clerk is the custodian of all probate case files.

What Probate Records Typically Include

Original wills and testamentary documents
Petitions to open the estate
Letters testamentary and letters of administration
Inventories and appraisals of estate assets
Creditor claims filed against the estate
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and orders
Annual and final accountings
Final distribution orders

Searching Probate Records

Current and recent probate case records can be searched through the JUSTICE online case search system by decedent or ward name. For historical research, Dakota County probate records dating back to 1858 — including wills, fee books, claim registers, and legacy records — are available through FamilySearch and the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Requesting Probate Records

To access records from an existing probate matter, or to ask about opening a new estate or guardianship proceeding, contact the Dakota County Court Clerk directly:

Dakota County Court
Address: 1601 Broadway, P.O. Box 385, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2145 | Fax: (402) 987-2185
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m. (Courthouse open 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

When you reach out, have the full name of the deceased or ward ready, along with the case number and approximate filing year if you know them. Copy fees apply — confirm current rates with the clerk's office before sending any payment. Mail requests may be directed to P.O. Box 385, Dakota City, NE 68731.