Dakota County Court Records

Dakota County, Nebraska, court records comprise the legal documentation of the county's trial court proceedings, maintained by the record custodians. These records provide extensive details on county litigations, including case filings, hearing information, orders, and judgments. Inquirers may also find Dakota County arrest records as part of court records in situations where arrest incidents resulted in criminal court cases.

Are Court Records Public in Dakota County?

By the Nebraska Public Records Law, citizens and non-citizens may obtain court files, including Dakota County court records, unless excluded by law or judicial order. Depending on the type of case, interested parties may request these records from the Dakota County District Court Clerk or via Nebraska's JUSTICE online case search system. Records such as law enforcement or investigative records, trade secrets, confidential commercial or financial information, personnel and medical records, juvenile records, adoption and guardianship records, and information about victims or witnesses in certain criminal cases are restricted from public access.

Dakota County Court Records Search

Generally, almost anyone may search Dakota County Court and District Court records, including civil, criminal, probate, and traffic matters, through the Clerk of the District Court's Office. Requesters with a party name or case number may visit the District Clerk's Office during business hours to perform a court record search. They may also perform court record searches remotely on the JUSTICE online case system or via the public access terminals on the courthouse premises. The platform provides statewide access to court records for a fee.

Dakota County Courts

The Nebraska trial court system comprises District, County, Juvenile, and Workers' Compensation Courts. Below are the contact and locational details of the courts that constitute the Dakota County court system:

Dakota County District Court
1601 Broadway, P.O. Box 66, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2114
Fax: (402) 987-2117

County Court of Dakota County
1601 Broadway, P.O. Box 385, Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2145
Fax: (402) 987-2185

Dakota County Criminal and Civil Records

Requesters may access Dakota County criminal and civil court records through the JUSTICE platform using a party name, case number, or other filters. A one-time search on the platform costs $15.00 and returns up to 30 records. Frequent users may sign up for a subscriber account.

Requesters may also submit a record request to the Clerk of the District Court for Dakota County civil and criminal case information. Criminal records include Dakota County arrest records, case filings, sentencing orders, and judgments. Civil records encompass civil lawsuits, small claims cases, family law matters, probate proceedings, protection orders and restraining orders, property and real estate claims, and other civil matters.

For further details on fees for copying court records, interested parties should contact the Dakota County District Court Clerk at the following address:

Dakota County District Court Clerk
1601 Broadway Street
Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2114

Dakota County Marriage Records

Eligible applicants may obtain certified copies of Dakota County marriage records (for unions contracted in the county) from the County Clerk's Office. Under Nebraska law, those qualified to receive Dakota County marriage certificates include the parties stated on the record, their offspring, and legal representatives with proof of representation.

In Dakota County, qualified applicants may request certified copies of the county's marriage records in person or via mail. Those who choose the mail-in option must download and complete a marriage certificate request form. Subsequently, they must send the completed marriage certificate application form, a photocopy of their valid photo ID, and a non-refundable $9.00 fee for the marriage certificate to:

Dakota County Clerk
P.O. Box 39
Dakota City, NE 68731

Dakota County Divorce Records

The Clerk of the District Court maintains divorce records in Dakota County. Anyone, regardless of citizenship or residency, may request divorce decrees, pleadings, and docket entries from the Dakota County District Court.

To obtain marriage records from the District Court Clerk's Office in person or via mail, requesters should send the record request to:

P.O. Box 66
1601 Broadway
Dakota City, NE 68731

However, requesters must provide the complete names of both spouses, a case number, or the date of divorce. They must also be ready to pay a fee for certified copies of divorce records.

Individuals with specific purposes (with proof of relationship) may also request divorce records through the Nebraska Office of Vital Records.

Dakota Birth Records

Individuals qualified to receive certified copies of Dakota County birth certificates may acquire such documents from the Nebraska Vital Records Office (records from 1904 to date).

When submitting a Dakota County birth certificate, eligible applicants must include a copy of accepted identification, the completed application form, a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope, any additional proof of authorization required, and a signed check or money order (certificate fee) made out to Vital Records.

Certified copies of birth certificates cost $17.00 each from the Office of Vital Records.

Dakota Death Records

Eligible applicants may request certified copies of Dakota County death certificates from the Nebraska Vital Records Office (records from 1904 to date). When submitting a Dakota County death certificate request, applicants must mail a copy of accepted identification, the completed application form, a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope, and a signed check or money order (certificate fee) to:

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

The Vital Records Office charges $16.00 for a certified copy of a death certificate.

Dakota County Probate Court Records

The Dakota County District Court maintains the county's probate records. These documents pertain to various legal issues, including the administration of estates, wills, guardianships, adoptions, conservatorships, and other related matters. Some examples include petitions, inventories, affidavits, orders, letters of testamentary, and final reports.

Information seekers possessing a case name, case number, type, and year may visit or mail a request to the Dakota County Clerk's Office. The Dakota County Clerk's Office is located at:

1601 Broadway
Dakota City, NE 68731
Phone: (402) 987-2115

Dakota County Property Records

Individuals seeking property records in Dakota County may access such files through the Register of Deeds. Records maintained by this office include properties' deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, assignments, releases, and affidavits.

Information seekers may also obtain assessment and valuation data from the Dakota County Assessor's Office. The office maintains records concerning the county's property parcel information and legal descriptions, assessed values, classification of property types, tax payments, and delinquency information.

Interested parties may contact the agencies above at the following addresses:

Register of Deeds Office Clerk
1601 Broadway Street
P.O. Box 511
Dakota City, NE 68731-0039
Phone: (402) 987-2166
Fax: (402) 494-9269
Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

County Assessor's Office
1601 Broadway Street
Dakota City, NE 68731
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Phone: (402) 987-2101
Fax: (402) 494-9201

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9
Dakota City, NE 68731

Dakota County Court Records Online

Inquirers conducting a general search of Dakota County court records may utilize the Nebraska Judicial Branch's e-Services portal. Third-party online databases, such as Nebraskacourtrecords.us, may also provide favorable access to public Dakota County court records. They offer a user-friendly interface where requesters may find specific cases by entering relevant details such as case numbers, party names, or dates. These platforms often allow users to view and download court case information directly from their website, saving time and effort. However, such platforms are not affiliated with any government agency and may contain inaccurate or outdated information.