Madison County Court Records

Under Nebraska Revised Statute § 25-2209, court records in Madison County comprise the entirety of official filings and documentation associated with cases under the jurisdiction of the District Court and County Court. These records include but are not limited to, initial complaints or petitions, responsive pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, verdicts, the court’s register of actions, official trial dockets, judicial docket notes, as well as indexed references such as general and judgment indexes. Pursuant to Nebraska law, these records may be preserved in various formats, including paper documents, microfilm, or within the state’s electronic case management system.

According to Nebraska Supreme Court Rules § 6-1523, Madison County court records commonly contain a range of identifying and procedural information. Such data may include:

• Case Identification Number
• Year of Initial Filing
• Sequential Case Number
• Case Caption
• Case Type and Subtype
• Presiding Judge’s Name
• Names of Parties

Are Court Records Public in Madison County?

In Madison County, court records are generally considered public. Nebraska Supreme Court Rules § 1-804 stipulate that these records are accessible to the public, often through authorized remote services or at public access terminals located within the courthouse. However, this principle of openness is subject to statutory and administrative exceptions.

According to Nebraska Supreme Court Rules § 1-808, the following categories of information are typically not available for public inspection:

• Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigation
• Adoption Case Records
• Juvenile Records
• Sealed Court Records

Madison County Court Records Search

Individuals interested in obtaining Madison County court records have several avenues for inquiry. Requests and searches can be initiated through the following local and state-level resources:

• Madison County Clerk
• Madison County Clerk of the District Court
• Madison County Assessor
• Madison County Register of Deeds
• Madison County Sheriff’s Office
• Nebraska Judicial Branch E-Services (JUSTICE)
• Nebraska State Patrol (for certain criminal background checks)
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records

Madison County Courts

In Madison County, the judiciary is composed of a District Court and a County Court. The District Court holds general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters, primarily addressing more significant cases that exceed the limited jurisdiction of the County Court. The County Court handles lesser civil matters, misdemeanor offenses, small claims, probate proceedings, and other case types delineated by Nebraska statutes.

The addresses and contact information of the county’s courthouses are as follows:

Madison County District Court
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 249,
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311 ext. 140
Fax: (402) 454-6528

County Court of Madison County
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 230,
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311 ext. 165

Madison County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal records, including arrest warrants, indictments, sentencing documents, and conviction information, are primarily maintained by the Clerk of the District Court. Similarly, civil court records—encompassing lawsuits related to contracts, property disputes, divorces, and small claims matters—are also filed and retained by the District Court Clerk’s office. While most records are publicly accessible, any restrictions noted above apply equally here.

For direct inquiries regarding Madison County criminal and civil court records, contact:

Madison County Clerk of the District Court
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 290
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311, ext. 136

Additionally, JUSTICE, the Nebraska trial case management system, grants access to statewide criminal and civil court records, including those of Madison County. Typically, a time lag of about 24 hours occurs before newly entered cases appear online. Searches can be initiated using party names, and if too many results populate, additional filters may be applied.

Madison County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Madison County generally fall into two categories: marriage licenses and marriage certificates. Applicants’ names for marriage licenses are made publicly available shortly after filing. To obtain a marriage license or verify current licensing procedures, contact:

Madison County Clerk
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 290
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311, ext. 131

While marriage licenses are public records, the access to certified marriage certificates is subject to eligibility requirements. Only the spouses, their children, other close relatives, and authorized legal representatives can request these documents. Such requests must be submitted along with proper identification and relevant details (full names, date of marriage, issuing county) to:

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

Madison County Divorce Records

Divorce actions commence when one spouse files a Complaint for Dissolution with the District Court. Public access applies to most divorce-related filings, including complaints, decrees, and case minutes. However, certified divorce certificates are restricted to eligible individuals, such as the former spouses or their immediate family members.

To access divorce filings, contact the Clerk of the District Court at the address listed above. For a certified divorce certificate, eligible requesters must provide identifying details, legal proof of eligibility, and any associated fees to:

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

Madison County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records in Madison County are regulated by Nebraska’s Vital Statistics statutes (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-601 to 71-649). These records are typically restricted to the individual named, their immediate family members, or legally authorized representatives. Certified copies can be requested from either the Madison County Clerk or Nebraska Vital Records. A valid photo ID, a notarized application (if required), and the state-mandated fee are necessary for processing requests.

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

Madison County Clerk
Nancy Scheer, County Clerk
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 290
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311, ext. 131

Madison County Probate Court Records

Although there is no specialized probate court in Madison County, probate matters, including estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trust proceedings, name changes, and wills, are handled by the County Court. To access probate records:

Madison County Court
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 527
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311, ext. 138

Madison County Property Records

The Madison County Register of Deeds maintains property-related records, including deeds, mortgages, plats, and other land transaction documents. These records are essential for establishing property ownership, conducting title searches, and verifying liens or encumbrances.

Madison County Register of Deeds
1313 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 290
Madison, NE 68748
Phone: (402) 454-3311, ext. 131

Madison County Court Records Online

While official county and state websites remain the most reliable sources, some third-party websites like Nebraskacourtrecords.us compile public records for easier searches. Users should exercise caution with third-party sources, as they may provide incomplete or outdated information and cannot issue certified copies of documents.