Lancaster County Court Records Search
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Lancaster County is the second most populous county in Nebraska, with Lincoln — the state capital — serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial system consists of a District Court, a County Court, and a Juvenile Court, all housed within the Justice and Law Enforcement Center in downtown Lincoln. Together, these courts generate a large volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate case records that are accessible to the public under Nebraska law, with certain statutory exceptions.
Individuals seeking Nebraska court records can search through several channels, including courthouse public-access terminals, clerk offices, and online databases. The Nebraska Judicial Branch operates a statewide case management system known as JUSTICE that covers all 93 county and district courts. NebraskaCourts.us may also assist users in locating publicly available court case information. Written requests by mail, in-person visits to the clerk, and electronic filings through the county website are additional options available in Lancaster County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lancaster County?
Lancaster County provides online, in-person, and mail-based methods for locating court case records. Choosing the right approach depends on the level of detail needed and whether certified copies are required.
Online Case Search — JUSTICE
The Nebraska Judicial Branch maintains the JUSTICE court case search system, which provides access to criminal, civil, traffic, juvenile, and probate cases filed in every county and district court statewide. Each case record includes a case summary, party information, offense data (for criminal cases), financial information, a register of actions listing all filed documents and orders, and — for most cases — clickable links to view electronic document images.
Two levels of online access are available:
| Access Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| One-Time Search | $17.00 | Returns up to 30 records; results viewable for 3 days; paid by credit card |
| Subscriber Account | $100.00/year + $2.00 per case viewed | Monthly billing; up to 10 usernames per account; general list searches are free |
Subscriber accounts can be created through Nebraska.gov. For questions about subscriptions, contact Nebraska.gov at (402) 471-7810 or (800) 747-8177.
In-Person Access
Every Nebraska courthouse has a JUSTICE public-access terminal that allows free searches by party name or case number. In Lancaster County, these terminals are located at:
Justice and Law Enforcement Center
Address: 575 South 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508
The District Court Clerk’s Office is on the 3rd floor and the County Court is on the 2nd floor. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Court employees can search for a specific record when provided with a complete party name and a case year or case type. They can also provide photocopies and certified copies when the requester identifies the case by number.
Mail and Online Request Forms
For District Court records, Lancaster County offers an online District Court Clerk Records Request form. After submitting the form, the clerk’s office will contact you within two business days with the cost of copies and payment instructions.
District Court Copy Fees
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page
- Certification: $1.00 per document (in addition to copy charges)
- Postage: actual cost for mailing
Payment can be made in person (cash, check, or credit card) or by mail (check or money order payable to the Clerk of the District Court). Electronic payments can also be made online through the Nebraska state website using a credit card or e-check.
For County Court records, contact the appropriate division directly or visit in person. The County Court does not maintain a separate online request form, but inquiries can be directed to (402) 441-7291 (main office).
Are Court Records Public in Lancaster County?
Court records in Lancaster County are classified as public records under the Nebraska Public Records Law (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712), which grants citizens and other interested persons the right to access and copy public records held by government agencies. The Nebraska Supreme Court has further codified public access principles in Article 8 of Chapter 1 of the Nebraska Court Rules, which establishes that electronic court records are accessible to the public unless specifically prohibited.
Records That Are Generally Public
- Criminal case dockets, charges, plea records, and sentencing orders
- Civil complaints, motions, judgments, and settlement records
- Probate petitions, wills admitted to probate, inventories, and accountings
- Domestic relations filings (divorce, custody, support)
- Traffic and minor offense dispositions
- Most court-filed documents viewable as electronic images through JUSTICE
Records Excluded from Public Access
Under Nebraska Court Rule § 1-808, the following categories are not available for public inspection:
- Information enumerated in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05 (statutory exemptions)
- Criminal history information protected under the Security, Privacy, and Dissemination of Criminal History Information Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3501)
- Adoption case records (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-113)
- Records sealed by statute or court order
- Privileged communications (attorney-client, doctor-patient)
- Personal identifying information including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and credit card data provided to government agencies
- Records identifying victims of sex trafficking or sexual assault
Any person or entity that obtains sealed court records through the JUSTICE system has a duty to periodically check whether those records remain sealed, and must stop disclosing them if a sealing order is issued. Unauthorized disclosure of sealed records can result in civil or criminal penalties.
Lancaster County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Lancaster County are divided between the District Court (felonies and more serious charges) and the County Court (misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings). The Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors.
Court Contacts for Criminal Matters
| Court | Phone | Location |
|---|---|---|
| District Court (Clerk’s Office) | (402) 441-7328 | 575 S. 10th St., 3rd Floor |
| County Court — Criminal/Traffic Division | (402) 441-8959 | 575 S. 10th St., 2nd Floor |
| Juvenile Court | (402) 441-6928 | 575 S. 10th St., Room 413 |
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal cases from both the District Court and County Court can be searched through:
- The JUSTICE online case search ($17 per one-time search or $2 per case for subscribers)
- Free public-access terminals at the Justice and Law Enforcement Center
- The District Court Clerk Records Request form (for District Court filings)
Criminal History Checks — Lancaster County Sheriff
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office provides local criminal history checks. To request one:
- Complete the Criminal History Information Request form.
- Pay the non-refundable $10.00 fee.
- Submit in person (cash or credit card accepted) or by mail (check payable to the Lancaster County Sheriff) to:
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 575 S. 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508
Statewide Criminal History — Nebraska State Patrol
The Nebraska State Patrol serves as the central repository for Nebraska criminal history records and offers two types of checks:
- Name-based checks — Available to anyone for a non-refundable fee of $30.00. Requests can be made online, in person at any State Patrol Troop Area Office, or by mail. The completed Criminal History Record Request form should be sent with payment (cashier’s check, personal check, or money order payable to the Nebraska State Patrol) to:
Nebraska State Patrol
Criminal Identification Division
P.O. Box 94907
Lincoln, NE 68509-4907
- Online reports are also available at $30.00, payable by credit or debit card through the State Patrol’s online criminal history report portal.
- Fingerprint-based nationwide checks — More expensive and restricted to situations required by state or federal law (e.g., employment licensing).
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523, certain arrest information is automatically redacted from the public record, including arrests where no charges were filed (after one year), arrests resolved through diversion (after two years), and charges dismissed by the court (immediately upon dismissal).
Lancaster County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Lancaster County are heard in either the District Court (larger claims and complex matters) or the County Court (smaller civil disputes and small claims). The County Court’s civil division handles cases at the county level.
Key Contacts for Civil Records
- District Court Clerk: (402) 441-7328
- County Court — Civil/Small Claims Division: (402) 441-7271
- County Court Fax: (Civil): (402) 441-6055
How to Obtain Civil Records
For District Court civil filings, submit the online District Court Clerk Records Request form. You can search by plaintiff or defendant name, case number, or case type. The clerk will respond within two business days with the total cost and payment instructions. Paper copies are $0.25 per page; certification adds $1.00 per document.
For County Court civil records, contact the civil division at (402) 441-7271 for information on availability and request procedures. Requests may be made in person at the 2nd floor of the Justice and Law Enforcement Center.
Online Civil Case Search
Both District Court and County Court civil cases are indexed in the JUSTICE database. Subscriber accounts allow searches filtered by party name, court type, case type, county, year, judge, or attorney. Document images are available at no extra charge once a case is accessed.
Small Claims
Small claims disputes are filed in the County Court. For questions about small claims filings or records, contact (402) 441-7271.
Lancaster County Family Court Records
Domestic relations matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, parental rights, visitation, and protective orders — are heard in both the Lancaster County District Court and County Court depending on the nature of the case. Adoption proceedings are handled by the County Court.
Requesting Family Court Records
Family case records from the District Court can be obtained by:
- Submitting the online records request form with the parties’ names, case number, case type, and case year.
- Visiting the District Court Clerk’s Office at 575 S. 10th Street, 3rd Floor.
- Mailing a written request with identifying details and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
A valid government-issued ID may be required for certain family record requests. Standard copy fees apply ($0.25 per page, $1.00 for certification).
Family court records are also searchable through JUSTICE, though adoption records are excluded from public access under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-113.
Marriage Records
The Lancaster County Clerk maintains marriage records from mid-June 1976 to the present. Certified copies can be ordered through three methods:
- Online: Use the Marriage License Portal to search and pay for copies.
- By mail or in person: Complete the Certified Request Form (PDF) and submit it with a copy of your valid photo ID and payment to:
Lancaster County Clerk
Address: 555 S. 10th Street, Room 108, Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 441-7484
Marriage License Hotline: (402) 441-8448
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage record | $9.00 each |
| Uncertified copy | $0.25 each |
Checks should be payable to the Lancaster County Clerk. Credit and debit card payments are accepted (2.25% surcharge for credit; $1.00 fee for debit). Emailed request forms are not accepted for security reasons.
For marriage licenses issued between 1909 and mid-June 1976, contact the Nebraska DHHS Division of Vital Records at (402) 471-2871. For records prior to 1913, contact the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are filed with the Lancaster County Clerk of the District Court. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail to the District Court Clerk at 575 S. 10th Street, 3rd Floor. Divorce records are also searchable through JUSTICE.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are vital records maintained by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vital Records. These records are restricted to eligible requesters — including the individual named on the certificate, immediate family members, and legal representatives.
Requests can be made by mail or through the online ordering platform. Mail requests should include a completed application (Birth Certificate form or Death Certificate form), a copy of acceptable photo identification, and payment by check or money order payable to Nebraska Vital Records. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
| Certificate Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate (certified copy) | $17.00 |
| Death certificate (certified copy) | $16.00 |
Mail requests to:
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065
Online orders accept credit card payment and typically take 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.
Lancaster County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Lancaster County — including estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the Probate Division of the Lancaster County Court.
Lancaster County Court — Probate Division
Address: 575 S. 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 441-7443
Fax: (402) 441-6055
Email: nsc.lancaster.cc@nejudicial.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
What Probate Records Include
A typical probate case file may contain:
- Petition for formal or informal probate
- Last will and testament
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
- Claims by creditors
- Accountings and final reports
- Guardianship or conservatorship applications and annual reports
- Orders of distribution and closing statements
How to Search Probate Records
Probate cases are indexed in the JUSTICE database and can be searched by the decedent’s name, the ward’s name, or case number. Most probate filings are viewable as electronic document images through the online system.
Requesting Copies
To request copies of probate records:
- Contact the Probate Division at (402) 441-7443 to confirm the case number and available documents.
- Visit the County Court on the 2nd floor during business hours, or mail a written request to the address above.
- Provide the names of parties involved, the case type, and the case number if known.
- A government-issued photo ID may be required.
Certified and photocopy fees for County Court records are assessed in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-126.05. Contact the probate division directly for current fee amounts.
Confidentiality
Most probate records — including wills, estate inventories, and distribution orders — are public. Guardianship and conservatorship filings may contain sensitive medical or financial information that could be restricted by court order. Adoption records processed through the County Court are sealed under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-113 and are not accessible to the public. The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides instructions for obtaining a copy of a sealed adoption decree through its self-help resources, which typically requires a formal petition or specific court authorization.