Sarpy County Court Records Search
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Sarpy County is one of Nebraska’s fastest-growing counties, centered around Papillion and encompassing the communities of Bellevue, La Vista, Gretna, and Springfield. Its court system handles a high volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters through three trial-level courts — the District Court, the County Court, and the Separate Juvenile Court — all housed at the Sarpy County Courthouse Campus in Papillion. For residents, attorneys, employers, journalists, and members of the public who need to locate case records, the county offers several avenues for access, including in-person inspection, written requests, and electronic searches.
Nebraska court records can be researched through multiple channels, including clerk of court offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and online case search tools. The statewide JUSTICE case search system provides electronic access to criminal, civil, traffic, juvenile, and probate filings from every county and district court in the state. NebraskaCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available case information and connect with Nebraska Judicial Branch resources for forms, court calendars, and self-help guides.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sarpy County?
There are three primary ways to search for a court case in Sarpy County: online, in person, and by mail. The method that works best depends on whether you need basic case status information or certified copies of specific documents.
Online Search Through JUSTICE
The JUSTICE case search portal, operated by the Nebraska Judicial Branch, covers filings from every county and district court, including all Sarpy County courts. Users can search by:
- Party name (last and first)
- Case number
- Case type (criminal, civil, probate, traffic, juvenile)
Search results typically include case facts such as filing dates, charges, dispositions, judge assignments, party listings, scheduled hearings, and court costs. Note that access to the JUSTICE system requires a one-time registration and a $15.00 non-refundable search fee, charged even when no results are returned. Payment is made by debit or credit card.
In-Person Requests
Visitors may inspect court records at the offices listed below during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarpy County District Court | 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 3141, Papillion, NE 68046 | (402) 593-2267 | (402) 593-4403 |
| Sarpy County Court | 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 3142, Papillion, NE 68046 | (402) 593-5775 | (402) 593-2193 |
| Sarpy County Juvenile Court | 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 3141, Papillion, NE 68046 | (402) 593-2230 | (402) 593-4359 |
When requesting records at the courthouse, you will typically need to complete a records request form and provide enough identifying information — such as the case number, party names, or filing date — for staff to locate the file. The Sarpy County website hosts an online Public Records Request Form that can also be submitted electronically.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be mailed to the appropriate court clerk’s office at 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, NE 68046. Include the case number or detailed identifying information, the specific records sought, and payment for any applicable fees. Under Nebraska law, written records requests must be processed within four business days. If a request is extensive, the county will provide a written explanation and an estimated completion date.
Copy and Search Fees
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page
- Clerical time: $15.00 per hour (billed in half-hour increments)
- Deposits may be required when estimated costs exceed $50.00
Are Court Records Public in Sarpy County?
Court records maintained by Sarpy County’s courts are generally open to public inspection. Nebraska’s public records law, codified at Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 through 84-712.09, guarantees all residents and interested persons the right to examine and obtain copies of government records, including those generated in court proceedings. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25 further defines court record categories.
Certain records, however, are exempt from public disclosure under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05. Categories that may be withheld or redacted include:
- Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account information, and similar sensitive data
- Medical records — Including mental health evaluations of defendants
- Law enforcement investigative records — Materials relating to ongoing investigations, confidential informant identities, and similar information that could jeopardize safety or case integrity
- Juvenile records — Case files involving minors are subject to strict confidentiality provisions
- Sexual assault victim information — Identifying details of victims in sex crime cases
Additionally, records sealed by court order or subject to specific statutory restrictions (such as certain adoption files) are not available for public review. Anyone whose public records request is denied may challenge the decision through the procedures outlined in the public records statutes or through the Nebraska Attorney General’s office, which publishes guidance on the state’s disclosure laws.
Sarpy County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Sarpy County originate with preliminary hearings in County Court and, upon a finding of probable cause, are bound over to the Sarpy County District Court for trial. Misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic infractions are generally prosecuted in the County Court. The Clerk of the District Court maintains felony case files, dockets, judgments, and sentencing records, while the County Court clerk handles misdemeanor and traffic case records.
How to Search Criminal Court Records
- JUSTICE portal — Search by defendant name or case number through the statewide case search system. Results show charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and party information.
- Clerk’s office — Visit or contact the District Court Clerk (Suite 3141) or County Court Clerk (Suite 3142) at the Sarpy County Courthouse Campus.
- Court calendars — Upcoming criminal hearings can be viewed through the Justice Case Calendar.
Criminal History and Arrest Records
For formal criminal background checks that go beyond court case records, the Nebraska State Patrol serves as the state’s central criminal history repository. Requests can be submitted three ways:
- Online — Through the State Patrol’s online criminal history search portal for a non-refundable fee of $15.50
- In person — By completing the Criminal History Record Request Form and delivering it with a $15.50 payment to a Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area Office
- By mail — By sending the completed request form and $15.50 (cashier’s check, personal check, or money order) to: Criminal Identification Division, 3800 NW 12th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68521
Name-based criminal history searches require the subject’s name and date of birth. Fingerprint-based searches, which access both state and national databases, are limited to the record subject and require statutory authorization. The State Patrol publishes an authorized list of permissible purposes for fingerprint-based checks.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523, certain criminal history information is restricted to the record subject, criminal justice agencies, or individuals who obtain a court order. Record of Arrest and Prosecution (RAP) sheets, which document dispositions including convictions, dismissals, and pardons, are available to the public as outlined under Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 and 84-712.01.
For arrest records specifically, contact the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office:
Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 8335 Platteview Road, Papillion, NE 68046
Phone: (402) 593-2288
Non-Emergency 24-Hour Line: (402) 593-4111
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Sheriff’s records requests are subject to a $30 fee and generally require a subpoena, with exceptions for crash and theft reports.
Sarpy County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Sarpy County are divided between two courts based on the amount in controversy. The District Court handles civil cases involving more than $57,000, while the County Court has jurisdiction over civil matters involving $70,000 or less, creating a band of concurrent jurisdiction. Small claims cases — those involving $7,500 or less — are filed exclusively in County Court.
Types of Civil Records
Civil court records encompass complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials, court orders, judgments, transcripts, and exhibits. Common civil matters include contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, evictions, and replevin actions.
Searching and Requesting Civil Records
Civil case information is accessible through the JUSTICE search system by name, case number, or case type. For copies of actual filings and documents, submit a request to the appropriate clerk’s office using the county’s Public Records Request Form.
District Court Civil Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Filing Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil case | $89 |
| Civil appeal from County Court | $89 |
| Dissolution of marriage | $164 |
| Paternity / order of support | $154 |
| Modification of decree | $65 |
| Name change | $89 |
| Transcript of judgment (in-state) | $72 |
| Transcript of judgment (out-of-state) | $85 |
County Court Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil docket fee | $52 |
| Small claims | $32 |
| Execution / garnishment / restitution | $5 each |
| Transfer of judgment (in-state) | $27 |
| Foreign judgment | $47 |
Self-represented litigants can access standardized court forms through the Nebraska Judicial Branch self-help page, which includes small claims complaint forms and other templates. Fines for existing cases can be paid electronically through the E-Pay system.
Sarpy County Family Court Records
Sarpy County does not operate a separate family court. Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, protection orders, and adoption — are heard by the District Court. The Clerk of the District Court maintains files for all domestic relations proceedings.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases are filed in District Court at a filing fee of $164. Modifications to existing divorce decrees cost $65. Records of divorce proceedings, including the decree itself, are available through the clerk’s office. The JUSTICE system also indexes divorce cases and provides basic case information online.
Child Custody, Support, and Paternity
Paternity and child support cases carry a filing fee of $154 when initiated in District Court. The Clerk of the District Court is responsible for processing and collecting child support payments ordered by the court. Modifications to custody or support orders require a separate filing.
Protection Orders
Petitions for domestic abuse and harassment protection orders are filed without charge. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-924.01, no filing fees or service fees may be imposed on protection order petitioners unless the court determines the petition was filed in bad faith.
Adoption
Adoption proceedings are filed in County Court. The filing fee is $37 per child, which includes docket, judges retirement, and other statutory surcharges. The County Court also handles fees to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for foreign or Nebraska-born children ($33).
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Sarpy County are issued by the County Clerk / Register of Deeds office. The current marriage license fee is $34, payable by credit or debit card. Applicants must appear in person with a valid government-issued photo ID and a completed Marriage Worksheet. Certified copies of marriage records can be requested by mail using the Application for Marriage Record and sending it to: Sarpy County Clerk/ROD, 1210 Golden Gate Dr., Suite 1250, Papillion, NE 68046. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $9.00, with photocopies at $0.25 per page.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Nebraska Vital Records Division within the Department of Health and Human Services. Online requests can be made through the NDHHS vital records portal. Fees are $17.00 for birth certificates and $16.00 for death certificates.
Sarpy County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Sarpy County fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court, which handles estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, trust disputes, and inheritance tax determinations. The County Court clerk’s office at 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 3142, maintains all probate case files and processes requests for copies.
Types of Probate Proceedings
Nebraska law distinguishes between informal and formal probate. Informal proceedings — used when there are no disputes and the estate can be administered without significant court supervision — carry a base filing fee of $44 (or $45 for testate estates requiring a certificate of probate and seal). Formal probate fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on the value of the estate, as set forth in the Nebraska Judicial Branch fee schedule:
| Estate Value | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,000 | $44 |
| $1,001 – $5,000 | $75 |
| $5,001 – $10,000 | $97 |
| $10,001 – $25,000 | $108 |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $130 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $152 – $196 |
| $100,001 – $200,000 | $262 – $350 |
| $200,001 – $500,000 | $405 – $570 |
| Over $500,000 | $680 – $1,670 |
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions are also filed in County Court at a fee of $44 per petition, regardless of the number of wards. Consolidated petitions for both guardianship and conservatorship carry the same $44 fee, while consolidated temporary and permanent filings total $68.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available through the JUSTICE system. For document copies — including wills, inventories, accountings, and final orders — contact the County Court clerk’s office at (402) 593-5775 or submit a Public Records Request Form through the county website. Standard photocopy charges of $0.25 per page apply, with certified copies requiring an additional $1.00 seal fee.