Dawson County Court Records Search
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Dawson County, Nebraska sits in the heart of the Platte River Valley, with Lexington serving as the county seat and the center of its judicial operations. The county's courts handle thousands of cases each year — criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, and probate administration. Every case generates a record, from the initial filing through the final judgment or decree, and those records form a detailed legal archive that residents, attorneys, and researchers can access under Nebraska's public records framework.
If you're new to the Nebraska court system, NebraskaCourts.us is a helpful place to start for understanding how the state's judiciary is organized. Case information can be found through official court resources, the clerks' offices at the Lexington courthouse, public access terminals inside the courthouse, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch's online search tools. If you're not sure which court handled a particular case, the Nebraska Judicial Branch's multi-court calendar and eServices portal can help you find it.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dawson County?
The main tool for searching Dawson County court records online is the Nebraska JUSTICE case search system, a statewide platform maintained by the Nebraska Supreme Court. It indexes criminal, civil, traffic, juvenile, and probate cases from all 93 of Nebraska's county and district courts. You can search by a party's name or a specific case number, and most filed documents are viewable as electronic images once you locate the case.
For additional eServices options — including appellate case lookups and subscriber-based access — the Nebraska Judicial Branch's case information eServices page lists all available online tools. Appellate matters decided by the Nebraska Supreme Court or Court of Appeals require either the original trial court case number or the appellate case number to retrieve records through the SCCALES search system.
For in-person or mail requests, the two courts primarily responsible for Dawson County records are:
Dawson County District Court
Address: 700 North Washington Street, Room E, Lexington, NE 68850
Phone: (308) 324-4261
Fax: (308) 324-9876
Email: becky.boryca@dawsoncountyne.gov or becky.boryca@nejudicial.gov
Clerk: Becky Boryca
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
Dawson County Court
Address: 700 North Washington, Lexington, NE 68850
Phone: (308) 324-5606
Fax: (308) 324-9837
Judge: Hon. Jeffrey M. Wightman
Court Clerk: Myndee Hagan
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
When requesting records in person or by mail, bring identifying details such as the names of the parties involved and, if possible, the case number and approximate filing year. Certified copies are available for a fee of $0.25 per page for photocopies, with additional charges for certified or authenticated documents as set out in the Nebraska court fee schedule.
Are Court Records Public in Dawson County?
Nebraska's Public Records Law, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712, creates a broad presumption that government records — including court records — are open to the public. Under this law, Nebraska residents and other interested parties are generally entitled to examine court records during regular office hours. Custodians may charge reasonable fees for copies, but they may not charge for the time spent locating documents if the records are properly indexed.
Several categories of records are exempt from public access by state statute or court rule:
- Juvenile and minor records — Cases involving juveniles are typically sealed and unavailable to the general public.
- Law enforcement investigative files — Active investigation materials held by law enforcement agencies may be withheld.
- Medical and mental health records — Documents involving a party's medical treatment or mental health commitment proceedings are generally protected.
- Attorney work product — Documents generated as part of attorney-client privileged communications are excluded.
- Adoption records — Adoption case files are sealed by statute; access requires a court order or an application meeting specific statutory criteria.
Beyond these statutory exemptions, individual judges can seal specific case records or redact sensitive personal information. If you believe a record has been improperly withheld, you may challenge that determination through the Nebraska Attorney General's office or by filing a petition in district court.
Dawson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Dawson County are split between two courts depending on the severity of the offense. Felony charges — Class I through Class IV — are tried in the Dawson County District Court, which also handles felony sentencing and post-conviction proceedings. Misdemeanor offenses, traffic citations, and infractions are handled by the Dawson County Court, presided over by Hon. Jeffrey M. Wightman.
The District Court's criminal filing fee is $87.00 for new felony cases. That amount covers the docket fee, judges' retirement fee, law enforcement improvement fund assessment, legal services fee, automation fee, and several other statutory assessments. Criminal appeals from County Court to District Court carry a total filing fee of $71.00. County Court criminal and traffic matters — including misdemeanors and infractions — have a combined filing fee of $95.00, which includes the state docket fee and case management systems fee. These figures are published in the Nebraska Judicial Branch's filing fees and court costs schedule.
Criminal case records from both courts can be searched through the JUSTICE system by name or case number. Records typically include charging documents, arraignment details, plea entries, motions, hearing dates, and sentencing orders.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
Arrest records and booking information for Dawson County are maintained by the Dawson County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Mark Montgomery heads the office, which also operates the county jail.
Dawson County Sheriff's Office
Address: 709 N. Grant Street, Lexington, NE 68850
Front Office: (308) 324-3011
Jail: (308) 324-2279
If you need inmate information, call the jail directly at (308) 324-2279. The Dawson County Sheriff's Office website has additional information about jail operations and law enforcement services.
Statewide Criminal History Records
For formal background check purposes, the Nebraska State Patrol maintains the statewide criminal history database. You can request a Record of Arrest and Prosecution (RAP) sheet by submitting a completed Criminal History Record Request form along with a $30.00 payment (cashier's check, money order, or credit/debit card). Requests can be submitted in person at Nebraska State Patrol headquarters or by mail. The Nebraska Background Check Portal at nebraska.gov/clickBackground also provides access to fingerprint-based arrest records, court case records, and driving records through a combined lookup.
Dawson County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Dawson County is divided between two courts based on the dollar amount at stake. The Dawson County Court handles civil claims up to $70,000. Cases valued above that threshold go to the Dawson County District Court. Small claims matters — disputes involving $7,500 or less (effective July 1, 2025, under LB 139) — are resolved through a simplified proceeding in County Court, designed so parties can represent themselves without an attorney.
Civil Filing Fee Summary
| Proceeding | Court | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Civil case (new) — District Court | District Court | $144.00 |
| Civil appeal from County Court | District Court | $144.00 |
| Civil case — County Court | County Court | $62.00–$82.00 |
| Small claims (up to $7,500) | County Court | $58.00 |
| Small claims transfer to regular civil | County Court | $20.00 |
| Execution, garnishment, restitution | Either | $5.00 each |
| Temporary restraining order | County Court | $5.00 |
Photocopies of civil case documents cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry a separate certification fee. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk about applying for a fee waiver through the court clerk's office.
Civil records in the Dawson County District Court are maintained by Clerk Becky Boryca, whose office issues writs, files and preserves all pleadings, records court proceedings, and tracks all court costs and judgments. Civil matters at the County Court level are managed by Clerk Myndee Hagan. Both courts are located at the Dawson County Courthouse at 700 North Washington Street in Lexington.
If you need free legal guidance on a civil matter, Nebraska Free Legal Answers connects residents with volunteer attorneys who can provide brief legal advice at no charge through a statewide online service.
Property Records
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real estate in Dawson County are filed with and maintained by the Dawson County Register of Deeds, located at 700 N. Washington, Room D, Lexington, NE 68850, and reachable by phone at (308) 324-4271. All recorded documents in this office are public record and can also be searched through Nebraska Deeds Online, which allows free searches of document metadata including instrument type, date, grantor, and grantee information.
Dawson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Dawson County — including divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity proceedings — are handled by the Dawson County District Court. Nebraska does not have a separate family court; these matters go through district court judges under the court's domestic relations jurisdiction.
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
Divorce petitions are filed with the District Court clerk. The total filing fee for a dissolution of marriage case in Nebraska's district courts is $200.00. That amount includes the base docket fee, a mandatory $50.00 mediation fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-106.03, a $25.00 Child Abuse Prevention Fee, and various administrative surcharges. Modifications to existing divorce decrees — such as changes to child support or custody provisions — carry a combined legal services and mediation fee of $65.00.
Divorce records are generally public in Nebraska, and the JUSTICE system may contain case information for dissolution matters. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained directly from the District Court clerk at (308) 324-4261. For statewide divorce record searches, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office maintains divorce records and can provide certified copies for $16.00 per copy.
Child Custody and Support
Custody and parenting time disputes are resolved through the District Court's domestic relations proceedings. Complaints for paternity determination, parental support, or child custody carry a combined filing fee of $209.00 in district court. The Nebraska Child Support Payment Center processes and distributes child support payments statewide; you can find more information at nebraskachildsupport.state.ne.us.
Protection orders for domestic violence situations carry no filing fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-924.01, unless a court specifically finds the petition was filed in bad faith with false statements. The District Court clerk processes protection order applications and can provide the necessary forms.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Nebraska are generally public, though certified copies may only be obtained by the parties directly involved or their immediate family. The Dawson County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for ceremonies performed in the county.
Dawson County Clerk
Address: 700 N. Washington, Room A, Lexington, NE 68850
Phone: (308) 324-2127
Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID and documentation showing their full Social Security number. The license costs $60.00 (cash only). Copies of marriage records from the clerk's office cost $2.00 each, while certified copies cost $9.00 each. The Nebraska Vital Records Office also maintains marriage records at the state level, with certified copies available for $16.00.
Birth and Death Records
Dawson County birth and death records come with significant access restrictions under Nebraska law. Birth records are not classified as public records until 50 years after the date of birth — only the subject of the record, immediate family members, or their authorized legal representatives may obtain certified copies of more recent records. Death records follow the same 50-year restriction for general public access. Both types of records must be requested through the Nebraska DHHS Vital Records Office in Lincoln:
Nebraska Vital Records
301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor
P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065
Birth certificates cost $17.00 per copy, and death certificates cost $16.00 per copy. You can submit applications by mail with a check or money order payable to "Vital Records", in person at the Lincoln office, or through the Nebraska Vital Records online application system. Online orders require payment by credit or debit card.
Dawson County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Dawson County — including estate administration, will probate, guardianships for incapacitated adults, conservatorships for those unable to manage their own finances, and mental health commitments — fall under the jurisdiction of the Dawson County Court, presided over by Hon. Jeffrey M. Wightman. Nebraska operates a unified probate system under the Nebraska Probate Code, which allows both informal and formal probate proceedings depending on the complexity of the estate.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case records are maintained by the Dawson County Court clerk and can be requested in person or by mail at the court's address. Because probate records are generally public under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712, most estate files — including petitions, inventories, accountings, and orders — are available for inspection. More recently opened cases may also appear in the JUSTICE case search system.
Probate Filing Fees
Nebraska's probate fee structure scales with the value of the estate for formal proceedings:
| Estate Value | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,000 | $44.00 |
| $1,000.01–$5,000 | $75.00 |
| $5,000.01–$25,000 | $97.00–$108.00 |
| $25,000.01–$100,000 | $130.00–$196.00 |
| $100,000.01–$500,000 | $262.00–$570.00 |
| $500,000.01–$1,000,000 | $680.00–$790.00 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $900.00–$1,670.00 |
Informal probate proceedings — where the estate is straightforward and no disputes are anticipated — carry a flat filing fee of $44.00. Guardianship and conservatorship petitions each carry a filing fee of $44.00, and a consolidated petition for both counts as a single $44.00 fee. Depositing a will for safekeeping with the court costs $2.00.
Trusts and Inheritance Tax
Registering a trust with the County Court carries a filing fee of $44.00, with any subsequent proceedings initiated within the trust administration costing an additional $44.00 per action. Nebraska inheritance tax determinations are handled within probate proceedings; a standalone determination of inheritance tax carries a filing fee of $44.00.
For probate proceedings that require a formal court hearing, the Nebraska Judicial Branch self-help center offers guidance on court records procedures, including how to obtain sealed records and how to request adoption record access under the applicable statutory criteria. If you're navigating a complex estate without legal representation, consider reaching out to the Nebraska Free Legal Answers program or consulting a licensed Nebraska attorney.