Scotts Bluff County Court Records Search

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    Scotts Bluff County, located in the Nebraska Panhandle, operates a two-tiered trial court system that produces a broad range of public records — from felony criminal proceedings and civil judgments to probate filings and domestic relations matters. These records document every stage of a case, including pleadings, motions, court orders, transcripts, and exhibits, and they serve as the official legal account of judicial activity within the county. Attorneys, researchers, journalists, and members of the public all rely on them for a variety of purposes.

    Searching for court records in Nebraska can be done through several official channels. Clerk offices at the county and district court levels allow in-person inspection and copying of case files, while public access terminals at the courthouse provide basic lookup capabilities. Online tools operated by the Nebraska Judicial Branch are also available for remote searches. NebraskaCourts.us may be a useful starting point for locating publicly available case information across the state.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Scotts Bluff County?

    Scotts Bluff County is part of Nebraska’s 12th Judicial District and is served by two principal courts: the District Court, which handles the county’s most serious civil and criminal matters, and the County Court, which covers a wider range of case types including small claims, misdemeanors, probate, and juvenile proceedings. Both courts are housed in the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse in Gering.

    Scotts Bluff County District Court
    Address: 1725 10th Street, P.O. Box 47, Gering, NE 69341 (Courthouse – 2nd Level)
    Phone: (308) 436-6641
    Fax: (308) 436-6759
    Clerk of the District Court: Darla Simpson
    Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (open through lunch; closed weekends and holidays)

    County Court of Scotts Bluff County
    Address: 1725 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341 (Courthouse – 1st Level)
    Phone: (308) 436-6648
    Fax: (308) 436-6782
    Court Clerk: Dianne Lana
    Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (open through lunch; closed weekends and holidays)

    Online Case Search — JUSTICE System:
    The Nebraska Judicial Branch operates the JUSTICE online case search system, which provides access to criminal, civil, traffic, juvenile, and probate cases filed in all 93 Nebraska county and district courts, including Scotts Bluff County. Two access options are available:

    • One-Time Case Search: A flat fee of $17.00 grants access to a single search returning up to 30 records. Results include the register of actions, party names, case status, and court cost information. This search is conducted through the JUSTICE One-Time Search portal.
    • Subscriber Account: For frequent users, a Nebraska.gov subscriber account provides searches at $2.00 per record with no additional charges for viewing results. Attorneys and legal professionals typically use this option.

    Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. As of January 2024, the one-time search fee also covers access to non-confidential document images.

    A free multi-court case calendar search is also available for viewing upcoming hearing dates in Scotts Bluff County courts.

    Are Court Records Public in Scotts Bluff County?

    The Nebraska Public Records Statutes, codified at Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712 et seq., establish that most records maintained by public bodies — including courts — are open for inspection and copying by any person. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.01, access is broadly guaranteed unless a specific statute expressly restricts a particular category of record.

    Certain records are withheld from public inspection under state and federal law. In Scotts Bluff County, the following categories are generally not available to the general public:

    • Juvenile court records — Normally sealed automatically when a case closes; additional steps may be required for cases not automatically sealed (see the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s guidance on juvenile record sealing)
    • Expunged or sealed criminal records — Treated as if the events never occurred once sealed
    • Certain victim and witness information — Protected under state law to preserve safety and privacy
    • Records subject to an active court sealing order
    • Records pertaining to ongoing investigations, where premature disclosure could interfere with law enforcement

    The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides a court records self-help page outlining procedures for obtaining copies of sealed records, requesting to open adoption records, and pursuing criminal record rehabilitation.

    Scotts Bluff County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal jurisdiction in Scotts Bluff County is divided between the two courts. The District Court handles all felony criminal cases, along with felony preliminary processing. The County Court handles misdemeanors, criminal infractions, city ordinance violations, extraditions, and felony preliminary hearings.

    The Clerk of the District Court — Darla Simpson — maintains custody of all district court criminal filings, dockets, and case records. For county court criminal matters, the County Court clerk handles filing and record maintenance. In-person records requests can be made at either office during regular business hours at 1725 10th Street in Gering.

    District Court Criminal Filing Fee: $87.00
    Criminal Appeal from County Court to District Court: $71.00

    Nebraska State Patrol — Criminal History Records:
    For formal criminal history background checks, the central repository is the Nebraska State Patrol, not the county courts. Two request methods are available:

    • Online Name-Based Search: Available directly through the Nebraska State Patrol’s website for a fee of $30.00 per subject searched.
    • Fingerprint-Based Search: More comprehensive and includes national database results; restricted to authorized entities such as law enforcement and certain licensed employers. The national fingerprint processing fee is $45.25.

    Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 1825 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341
    Phone: (308) 436-6667
    Sheriff: Mark L. Overman

    The Sheriff’s Office is the appropriate contact for arrest records and custody-related inquiries. The Scottsbluff Police Department, located at 1801 Avenue B, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 (Phone: (308) 630-6261), handles records for incidents within the city limits.

    Scotts Bluff County Civil Court Records

    Civil jurisdiction in Scotts Bluff County is split by monetary threshold. The District Court handles civil cases involving amounts over $52,000, as well as equity cases and domestic relations matters. The County Court handles lower-value civil disputes, landlord-tenant cases, replevin actions, eminent domain, and handgun appeals.

    Small Claims Court operates as a division of the County Court and is capped at $7,500 in Nebraska. The Small Claims court office is located at the courthouse, 1st Level, 1725 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341, with hours of Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    District Court Civil Filing Fees (effective July 1, 2023):

    Case TypeFee
    Civil Case (District Court)$87.00
    Civil Appeal from County Court$87.00
    Dissolution of Marriage$162.00
    Domestic Relations (Paternity, Child Support, Visitation)$52.00
    Domestic Relations Modification$65.00
    Transcript of Judgment$70.00
    Miscellaneous (Execution, Garnishment, Attachment)$5.00
    Protection OrdersNo Fee

    Statewide court forms for civil matters are available through the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s master forms list. For in-person civil record searches, the Clerk of the District Court at (308) 436-6641 can assist in locating case files. The JUSTICE online system described above also covers civil case records.

    Court fines and payments for civil, criminal, small claims, and other case types can be made online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch Internet Payment System.

    Scotts Bluff County Family Court Records

    Domestic relations cases in Scotts Bluff County — including divorce, legal separation, child support, paternity, and parenting time disputes — are heard by the District Court. The Clerk of the District Court maintains all filings and records from these proceedings at 1725 10th Street, Gering, and can be reached at (308) 436-6641.

    Key filing fees for family matters:

    • Dissolution of Marriage: $162.00
    • Domestic Relations (Paternity, Child Support, Visitation): $52.00
    • Domestic Relations Modification: $65.00
    • Protection Orders: No filing fee

    Marriage Records:
    The Scotts Bluff County Clerk’s Office issues and maintains marriage licenses and is located at 1825 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341 (Phone: (308) 436-6600), with hours of Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Note that as of July 18, 2025, updated fees apply: a marriage license now costs $50.00, and a certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $16.00. To request a certified copy, submit the Marriage License Request Form with the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and required payment.

    Divorce Records:
    Divorce records are retained by the Clerk of the District Court. The Nebraska DHHS Vital Records Office provides statewide access to divorce certificates for $16.00 per copy. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person to:

    Nebraska DHHS Vital Records Office
    Address: 301 Centennial Mall South (First Floor), Lincoln, NE 68509
    Phone: (402) 471-2871
    Email: DHHS.VitalRecords@nebraska.gov

    Birth and Death Certificates:
    Nebraska vital records are maintained at the state level by DHHS, not the county. Birth certificates cost $17.00 per copy; death certificates cost $16.00 per copy. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a demonstrated direct interest may obtain certified copies. Requests require a government-issued photo ID and proof of relationship. Applications can be submitted at the Nebraska Vital Records portal.

    Scotts Bluff County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Scotts Bluff County are handled exclusively by the County Court, which has jurisdiction over:

    • Estate administration and will probate
    • Guardianships and conservatorships
    • Adoptions
    • Mental health and commitment proceedings
    • Juvenile matters

    The County Court Clerk at 1725 10th Street, Gering (Phone: (308) 436-6648), maintains all probate filings and can assist with requests for copies or certified documents during regular office hours (Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).

    Probate case records can also be searched through the JUSTICE online case search system for a fee of $17.00 (one-time search) or $2.00 per record (subscriber). Search results will display the register of actions, party names, hearing dates, and associated court costs.

    For those navigating guardianship or conservatorship proceedings without an attorney, the Nebraska Judicial Branch offers a Guardian and Conservator Education resource through the Scotts Bluff County Court page. Statewide self-help forms for probate and related matters are accessible through the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s master forms list, which covers all standard court forms required in Nebraska’s county and district courts.