How To Find Court Records In Nebraska

If you seek court records in Nebraska, CourtCaseFinder can be a useful resource. Our Instant Court Case Lookup provides convenient access to court-related information, as it can help you quickly locate case files or details that may otherwise require a visit to the courthouse.

For those unfamiliar, court records are official documents created and maintained by the judicial system. In Nebraska, these records serve as the permanent documentation of proceedings that take place in state courts. Typically, you will find filings, motions, judgments, orders, and other related information in these documents.

Access to these records is important because it allows you to better understand how the judicial system functions. They can provide insight into a case's progress, the decisions made by the court, and the legal reasoning behind those decisions.

How To Access Nebraska Public Court Records

CourtCaseFinder enables quick and efficient access to Nebraska public court records. It becomes especially valuable when you're looking to avoid the inconvenience of courthouse visits and prefer conducting fast searches with consolidated results and minimal effort.

In addition to using our platform, you can obtain court records through official government channels. The methods below outline how to access Nebraska's court documents directly from state-provided services:

Online

Nebraska offers online services that allow you to search and view court records electronically. These services are available through two main systems:

• JUSTICE Case Search System: Provides access to information from county and district courts across Nebraska. You can search by case number or party name to find details such as case summaries, party information, registers of actions, financial records, and images. You can conduct a name-based search of up to 30 cases for a $15 fee.
• Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Online Case Management System (SCCALES): Allows you to retrieve case information from Nebraska's appellate courts. Access to SCCALES is available through a Nebraska.gov subscription.

In Person

Nearly every courthouse in Nebraska provides a public access terminal where anyone can search case information free of charge. These terminals allow searches by party name or case number and display the same information available online. Courthouse staff are also available to assist you in using the terminals.

If you prefer this method, you can check the Nebraska Court Directory for the addresses and contact information of a particular court.

By Mail

To access Nebraska court records by mail, you must send a written request to the court where the case was filed.

Your request should include identifying information such as the parties' full names, the case number (if known), the approximate year the case was filed, and the type of record being requested. You must also attach the required copy fee payments.

Nebraska Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

Under the Nebraska Public Records Law, most court records in the state are presumed open to the public unless a specific statute or court rule limits access. In practice, this means that much of what happens in Nebraska's courts is accessible for inspection.

The information typically found in public court records includes:

• Case numbers and case titles
• Names of parties involved in a case
• Case status and filing dates
• Registers of actions (chronological history of the case)
• Court orders, judgments, and motions
• Hearing schedules and trial calendars
• Document images and filings, when available

However, not all court records are open. Nebraska statutes and Supreme Court rules outline specific categories of information that are restricted or sealed to protect privacy, specificity, or the integrity of sensitive proceedings.

For example, Nebraska Revised Statute Section 84-712.05 lists exceptions to disclosure, and the Nebraska Supreme Court Rule Section 1-808 excludes entire categories of records from public view. Among the restricted or sealed information are:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile court records, except as permitted by statute
• Criminal history records covered by the Security, Privacy, and Dissemination of Criminal History Information Act
• Medical or mental health records
• Personal identifiers, such as Social Security numbers, birth dates, and financial account numbers
• Law enforcement investigative records not introduced in open court
• Court files sealed by statute or court order

Who Oversees the Courts in Nebraska?

The Nebraska Supreme Court has the ultimate authority over the administration of all state courts. It provides overall guidance to keep Nebraska's courts operating in accordance with state law and constitutional principles.

Leading the Supreme Court is the Chief Justice. This position is currently held by Chief Justice Jeffrey J. Funke, who serves as the head of the judicial branch and provides leadership not only in judicial decision-making but also in administrative matters affecting the statewide court system.

The Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation (AOCP) supports the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court. This agency is directed by the State Court Administrator, who is responsible for preparing the judicial budget, developing policies, coordinating trial court and probation programs, and serving as a liaison between the judiciary and other branches of government.

Presiding Judges are also crucial at the district and county levels. Under Nebraska Supreme Court Rule Section 6-1459, they oversee local court administration, supervise staff and clerk magistrates, manage facilities, and act as a point of communication with the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office.

What Types of Courts Exist in Nebraska?

Nebraska's court system is structured with multiple tiers, each serving distinct roles in administering justice across the state.

At the top is the Nebraska Supreme Court, functioning as the court of last resort with comprehensive appellate authority and specific original jurisdiction responsibilities. Directly below is the Court of Appeals, which handles most appeals from trial courts.

The state's primary trial courts include District Courts, which hold general jurisdiction over serious civil and criminal matters and hear appeals from county courts and administrative bodies. County Courts manage limited-jurisdiction cases, such as small claims, probate, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings.

Additionally, there are separate juvenile courts, workers' compensation courts, and numerous problem-solving courts.

Below is a table that outlines the different court types in Nebraska, their jurisdictions, and the types of cases they commonly handle:

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Nebraska Supreme Court	Highest court; final appeals; original jurisdiction in select matters; administrative oversight over all state courts.	Life imprisonment, death penalty, constitutional issues, regulatory and revenue matters
Nebraska Court of Appeals	Intermediate appellate court; handles most appeals from lower courts.	Appeals from district/county courts on criminal, civil, and administrative rulings
Nebraska District Courts	General trial courts; appellate review of county court and administrative decisions.	Felonies, high-value civil claims, most domestic relations, and appeals from administrative agencies
Nebraska County Courts	Limited jurisdiction trial courts handle a range of minor or specified matters.	Misdemeanors, small claims, probate, adoption, guardianship, and preliminary felony hearings
Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts	Specialized juvenile courts in select counties.	Delinquency, child welfare, custody, and dependency issues involving minors
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court	Statewide jurisdiction over workplace injury claims.	Work-related injury and illness claims under the Workers' Compensation Act
Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts	Specialized court programs are governed by the Supreme Court committee.	Drug rehabilitation, juvenile drug treatment, DUI, family drug courts, and other therapeutic programs

What Federal Courts Are In Nebraska?

Federal courts function separately under the authority of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. They are limited to cases that cover violations of federal statutes, disputes between citizens of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, constitutional challenges, and cases involving the U.S. government as a party.

Nebraska is served by a designated set of federal courts within the Eighth Circuit of the United States judicial system. These include the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska. You can find the jurisdiction, location, and contact information of these federal courts in the table below:

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska	Federal trial court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases involving federal law, multi-state disputes, and the U.S. government in the state of Nebraska.	Omaha Courthouse 111 South 18th Plaza, Suite 1152, Omaha, NE 68102 Phone: (402) 661-7350 Lincoln Courthouse 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 593, Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 437-1900 North Platte Courthouse 301 North Jeffers St. North Platte, NE 69101 Phone: (402) 661-7350 / (402) 437-1900
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska	Exclusive jurisdiction over federal bankruptcy cases in the District of Nebraska.	Omaha Courthouse 111 South 18th Plaza, Suite 1125, Omaha, NE 68102 Phone: (402) 661-7444 Lincoln Courthouse 100 Centennial Mall North Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 437-1625

You can appeal the decisions made by the federal district and bankruptcy courts in Nebraska by filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Nebraska Courts?

Nebraska courts manage a substantial caseload each year across their different levels.

Based on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Annual Report FY 2024, the Nebraska Supreme Court docketed 166 new cases and disposed of 169 cases in 2024. The Nebraska Court of Appeals received 987 new cases and completed 845 dispositions.

At the trial court level, the District Courts statewide recorded approximately 36,000 case filings, while the County Courts handled a much larger share of the caseload with around 270,000 filings.

The breakdown of county court filings by the most common case types is shown below:

Case Type	Approx. Annual Volume
Traffic Cases	~89,000
Civil Cases	~85,000
Misdemeanor Cases	~64,000
Felony Cases	~16,000
Probate Cases	~7,000
Protection Order Cases	~3,000
Small Claims Cases	~3,000
Guardianship/Conservatorship Cases	~2,000
Adoption Cases	~1,000

If you want to learn more about caseload statistics across Nebraska's courts, you can explore the Publications and Reports of the Nebraska Judicial Branch.

How Do I File a Case in Nebraska Courts?

If you want to file a case in Nebraska courts, you need to prepare the appropriate documents and submit them to the correct court. You must also pay the applicable filing fees and notify the other party of the case. To help you navigate the process, here is a step-by-step overview of how to file a case in Nebraska courts.

Identify Your Court and Case Type

The initial step in filing a case in Nebraska is determining which court has jurisdiction over your matter.

Generally, District Courts handle civil cases involving larger amounts of money, felony criminal cases, and domestic relations matters such as divorce. Meanwhile, County Courts handle various cases, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, probate matters, and minor civil disputes.

If you are uncertain where your case belongs, the Courts page on the Nebraska Judicial Branch website provides resources to help you identify the proper court for your situation.

Obtain and Complete Required Forms

Once you know which court will hear your case, the next step is to gather and fill out the proper legal forms. The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides many standard court forms online through its Master Forms List. You must complete these forms thoroughly, as errors can delay your filing or result in the court rejecting your case.

File Your Case

After preparing your documents, you must officially file them with the court.

Nebraska courts allow electronic filing through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's eFiling system. This is often the most efficient option, as it allows you to submit documents without visiting the courthouse.

You may also take your completed forms directly to the clerk's office at the courthouse where your case belongs. The clerk will review the documents for completeness before filing them into the record.

Pay the Required Filing Fees

You must pay the applicable filing fees to complete your case in Nebraska. The amount for this varies depending on the case type. Refer to the Filing Fees and Court Costs for the complete list of fees.

Serve the Other Party

After filing your case and paying the required fees, you must serve the other party with notice per the Nebraska Supreme Court Rule Section 6-1105. Proper service is important because it informs the other party and allows the case to move forward without delays.

How Is the Nebraska Court System Unique?

The Nebraska court system has several unique features that set it apart from other states. One key distinction is its structure of two levels of trial courts, the District Courts and County Courts, whereas many states have more complex trial court systems.

Nebraska also maintains a variety of specialized courts tailored to address specific legal issues that are less common in other states. These include

• Separate Juvenile Courts (in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties), which handle juvenile matters exclusively
• Workers' Compensation Court, which is dedicated to workplace injury claims;
• Problem-Solving Courts (such as drug and veterans courts), which focus on rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses

Nebraska Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Adams
• Antelope
• Arthur
• Banner
• Blaine
• Boone
• Box Butte
• Boyd
• Brown
• Buffalo
• Burt
• Butler
• Cass
• Cedar
• Chase
• Cherry
• Cheyenne
• Clay
• Colfax
• Cuming
• Custer
• Dakota
• Dawes
• Dawson
• Deuel
• Dixon
• Dodge
• Douglas
• Dundy
• Fillmore
• Franklin
• Frontier
• Furnas
• Gage
• Garden
• Garfield
• Gosper
• Grant
• Greeley
• Hall
• Hamilton
• Harlan
• Hayes
• Hitchcock
• Holt
• Hooker
• Howard
• Jefferson
• Johnson
• Kearney
• Keith
• Keya Paha
• Kimball
• Knox
• Lancaster
• Lincoln
• Logan
• Loup
• Madison
• Mcpherson
• Merrick
• Morrill
• Nance
• Nemaha
• Nuckolls
• Otoe
• Pawnee
• Perkins
• Phelps
• Pierce
• Platte
• Polk
• Red Willow
• Richardson
• Rock
• Saline
• Sarpy
• Saunders
• Scotts Bluff
• Seward
• Sheridan
• Sherman
• Sioux
• Stanton
• Thayer
• Thomas
• Thurston
• Valley
• Washington
• Webster
• Wheeler
• York

Where to Find Additional Information About Nebraska Courts?

• Nebraska Judicial Branch
• Nebraska Department of Justice
• Court of Appeals Nebraska
• Nebraska Case Law
• Trial Courts of Nebraska
• United State District Court District of Nebraska
• Nebraska Judges
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit

FAQs