Buffalo County Court Records

Buffalo County court records are records of legal proceedings such as court cases within the county. The local judiciary maintains these records as proof that legal matters are handled fairly and efficiently. Court records include motions, depositions, rulings, judgments, appeals, pleas, lawsuits, and decrees. Members of the public are allowed to request these records for various reasons, including study materials and legal aid.

Are Court Records Public in Buffalo County?

Buffalo County Court records are public information under Nebraska’s Public Records Law. The law allows the public to view and copy records in all forms unless that law or information is made confidential by law. Examples of records that may be exempted from public access include the following:

• Medical and mental health records under doctor-patient privilege
• Any records or cases sealed or exempted by a court order
• Records of cases involving minors
• Certain portions of a domestic abuse protection order

Buffalo County Court Records Search

There are various options for locating Buffalo County court records, including the following:

• Visit the Buffalo County District or County Court where the case was heard
• Contact the Clerk of Courts and public record request
• Use the resources provided by the Nebraska Judicial Branch such as JUSTICE Search

Buffalo County Courts

The Nebraska State Court system operates several types of courts within different jurisdictions. These include district, county, juvenile, and workers’ compensation courts. The following list contains all the courts operating in Buffalo County:

Buffalo County District Court
1512 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 520
Kearney, NE 68848
Phone: (308) 236-1246
Fax: (308) 233-3693

County Court of Buffalo County
1512 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 520
Kearney, NE 68848
Phone: (308) 236-1229
Fax: (308) 236-1243

Buffalo County Criminal and Civil Records

Record seekers may obtain Buffalo County criminal and civil court records from Clerks of the District Court or County Court. These are the main trial courts in the county and maintain court records. Interested parties may visit the courts in person and request to view or copy records or mail written requests to the courts at:

P.O. Box 520
Kearney, NE 68848

Civil court records are records generated by cases involving two private individuals. Before making a visit or official request, It is recommended to call the County Court at (308) 236-1228 or the District Court at (308) 236-1246. By calling ahead, requesters may check the availability of records, request procedures, and any associated fees.

Criminal records also include Buffalo County arrest records and criminal history records that can be obtained from the Nebraska State Patrol.

Buffalo County Marriage Records

The Buffalo County Clerk and the Vital Records Office of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS) maintain Buffalo County marriage records. Marriage records are generally open to the public, so copies can be obtained by requesting them from either agency.

To obtain a certified copy of a Buffalo County marriage certificate, record seekers may visit the clerk’s office in person or mail in a written request containing the following.

• Names of the bride and groom, including the bride's maiden name
• The date of the marriage (marriage certificate/license must have been issued in Buffalo County)

Copies of the marriage record cost $9. Payment can be made in cash during in-person requests or a money order included in a mailed request. Mailed requests should be sent to the clerk’s office at:

Buffalo County Clerk
P.O. Box 1270
Kearney, NE 68848-1270

Buffalo County Divorce Records

Buffalo County divorce records are public records under Nebraska law. These records can be obtained from the district court clerk or the state vital records office. Record seekers may request a divorce record by visiting the district court in person or mailing a written request. The request should contain enough information to locate the record, such as the parties to the divorce, the date of the divorce, and a case number, if available. The written request may be mailed to the district court clerk at:

Clerk of the District Court
P.O. Box 520
Kearney, NE 68848

For more comprehensive information about requesting divorce records, including any fees, record seekers may call the clerk at(308) 236-1246 or email districtcourt@buffalocounty.ne.gov. Divorce records may also be found online using the Nebraska Judicial Branch Justice Search tool. For a fee of $15 per search, record seekers may look up public court records from district courts, including divorce records.

Buffalo Birth Records

Buffalo County birth records are public in Nebraska, meaning anyone can request them from their custodians. The Vital Records Office of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services maintains these records and responds to record requests. Interested parties may obtain Buffalo birth records online or by mail.

To obtain a birth record by mail, the requester may complete, print out, and then mail a Birth Certificate Application Form to:

Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065

The mailed request should include a copy of valid identification, payment for the records, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to return the record. Buffalo County birth records cost $17 each, payable by a check or money order included in the request.

Buffalo County birth records can also be obtained using the Department of Health and Human Services, Online Ordering Service. Users may select and fill out the online birth certificate form and upload a copy of their identification. All online payments must be made with a credit card.

Buffalo Death Records

Buffalo County death records are public records and may be obtained from their custodians at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Office. Requests can be made to the office online or by mail.

Online requests can be made using the Online Request System maintained by the Vital Records Office. Users may select a death certificate from the list, fill out the online form, and upload a copy of identification. Online payments for records require credit or debit cards,To make a mailed request, the requester must fill out and submit a completed Death Certificate Application form. The completed form plus valid identification, full payment of $16 per copy in a check or money order, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope should be mailed to:

Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE
68509-5065

Buffalo County Probate Court Records

Buffalo County probate records document probate matters and court cases within the county. These include records of wills, estates, claims, guardianships, and other probate cases. Record seekers may obtain Buffalo County probate records in several ways. The County Court Clerk maintains these records and answers most record requests.

Interested parties may visit the county court clerk’s office in person or mail a written request to:

Clerk of the County Court
1512 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 520
Kearney, NE 68848

Requesters must provide information such as the parties in the case and a case number to facilitate a successful search. Buffalo County probate records may also be available online using any of the fee-based search tools provided on the Nebraska Judicial Branch website. The Justice One-Time Search and the General Search options provide access to state-wide court records. Visitors will need to create a subscriber account on the website to use these options.

Buffalo County Property Records

Buffalo County property records are records of property and business concerning the property in the county. The Buffalo County Assessor and Register of Deeds maintain property records, including liens, mortgages, deeds, and tax assessments.

Record seekers may obtain these records by contacting the agencies directly using the contact information on their websites, such as phone numbers and emails. Before making an official request, it is advised to inquire about procedures to obtain records, including any copy fees.

Property records may also be obtained using the online resources provided by these agencies such as Deed Records Online and Nebraska Assessors Online.

Buffalo County Court Records Online

Members of the public can obtain court records online using the resources provided by the Nebraska Judicial Branch, such as JUSTICE Search. Nebraskacourtrecords.us and other third-party websites may provide an alternative option for obtaining Buffalo County records online. These platforms provide user-friendly interfaces where visitors may look up public records across jurisdictions without visiting an actual courthouse. There are often options to download and print out search results directly from the site. However, these websites are not government-affiliated, so their information cannot be guaranteed.