Platte County Court Records

Platte County court records are legal documents produced by the county’s courts. They provide an official account of various aspects of judicial proceedings, including filings, motions, court orders, pleadings, transcripts, judgments, and submitted evidence. These records play a fundamental role in Nebraska’s judicial system. Attorneys, researchers, journalists, and members of the public rely on them for insight into legal precedents, trends in judicial decisions, and the workings of the local justice system.

Are Court Records Public in Platte County?

Yes. Under the Nebraska Public Records Statutes, particularly Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712 et seq., court records created or maintained by government offices are generally considered public records. Unless specifically sealed, restricted, or exempted by law, these documents are available for public inspection and copying. The Platte County Clerk of the District Court or the Platte County Court Clerk can guide individuals on accessing or requesting these records.

Certain records, however, may be limited from public access. Some examples include:

• Juvenile court records
• Documents containing victim or witness identities in protected cases
• Records ordered sealed or expunged by the court
• Files related to ongoing criminal investigations

Platte County Court Records Search

Interested members of the public may perform Platte County court record searches in one of the following ways:

• They may visit the appropriate court's office and request the record in person. Otherwise, they may utilize the public access terminals available to conduct on-site searches.
• Contact the Clerk of the Platte County District Court by mail or phone to inquire about the record of interest
• Utilize the Nebraska Judicial Branch or other official databases provided to facilitate record retrieval.
• Use third-party aggregators which collate and public Nebraska court records from various judicial districts. These platforms can be convenient but may not be as authoritative or up-to-date as official sources.

Platte County Courts

Platte County courts operate under the umbrella of Nebraska’s Fifth Judicial District. The courts have varying jurisdictions, such as handling criminal cases, civil disputes, probate matters, traffic violations, and small claims. Below is the contact information for Platte County courts:

Platte County District Court
2610 14th Street,
P.O. Box 1188,
Columbus, NE 68602
Phone: (402) 563-4906

County Court of Platte County
2610 14th Street,
P.O. Box 538,
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: (402) 563-4905
Fax: (402) 562-8158

Platte County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal records, often called “rap sheets,” summarize an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include personal identifying information, details of arrests, charges, case statuses, and sentencing outcomes. In Nebraska, the central repository for statewide criminal history information is maintained by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Inquirers seeking Platte County criminal records from the NSP have two options:

Name-Based Searches: Available to individuals seeking their own records

Fingerprint-Based Searches: Only authorized individuals (including certain employers, law enforcement agencies, or those mandated by law) may request fingerprint-based searches. These queries produce a comprehensive check across state and national databases.

Individuals must complete a “Criminal History Record Request” form to request a criminal history report. The current fee for a name-based check is $15.50. Requests can be made online, in person, or via mail to:

Nebraska State Patrol
Criminal Identification Division
4600 Innovation Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
Phone: (402) 471-4545

Civil court records document legal disputes between private parties, such as contractual disagreements, property disputes, personal injury claims, divorces, and child custody cases. These records are generally considered public unless sealed by a court order. The Platte County District Court manages civil matters, and its Clerk’s Office maintains civil case records.

To obtain Platte County civil court records, inquirers may visit the Clerk of the District Court’s Office in person to search public terminals. Record seekers may request copies by mail or phone after providing sufficient details, including case numbers, party names, and approximate filing dates.

Platte County Marriage Records

The Platte County Clerk’s Office maintains marriage records in Platte County. Under Nebraska law, marriage records are generally public. However, certified copies are often limited to the spouses, their immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives. Copies of marriage records may cost around $1 each, and certified copies typically cost $9. Requesters should provide the full names of both parties (including maiden names) and the date of marriage. Record requests may be addressed to:

Platte County Clerk’s Office
2610 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: (402) 563-4901

For statewide marriage records, inquiries can also be made to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).

Platte County Divorce Records

Divorce records for decrees finalized in Platte County are maintained by the Platte County District Court. Certified copies of divorce decrees are restricted to the divorce parties, their attorneys, and individuals who can prove a qualifying relationship to the parties. To request these records, individuals must contact the Clerk of the District Court and provide the following information:

• Full names of both parties (including maiden or former names)
• Date and place of divorce
• Case number (if known)

Additionally, the Nebraska DHHS Vital Records Office holds statewide divorce certificates for a fee of $16. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

Platte County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are maintained at the state level by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Vital Records Office. These records are confidential, and access is limited to eligible individuals such as the person named on the certificate, their immediate family members, or authorized representatives. Birth certificate requests cost $17, while death certificate requests cost $16. Acceptable requests must include a completed Nebraska vital records application, appropriate fees (check, money order, or online payment), and a government-issued photo ID.

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

Birth and death records serve various purposes, including proof of identity, genealogical research, public health analysis, and the fulfillment of legal or financial obligations.

Platte County Probate Court Records

Probate records document the legal process of administering an estate after someone’s death. They may include wills, inventories of assets, guardian or conservator appointments, and trust records. In Platte County, probate matters are generally handled by the County Court.

To obtain these records, inquirers may contact the Platte County Court Clerk. Public terminals may be available for on-site searches, and fees may apply for copying or certifying documents.

Platte County Property Records

Property records in Platte County provide information related to land ownership, property values, property tax assessments, and real estate transactions. Two primary offices are responsible for maintaining these records:

• Platte County Assessor’s Office: Responsible for property valuations, tax assessments, and related data.
• Platte County Register of Deeds Office: Maintains records of property ownership, deeds, liens, and related documents.

Requests for Platte County property records may be addressed to either office at:

Platte County Assessor’s Office
2610 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: (402) 563-4902

Platte County Register of Deeds Office
2610 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: (402) 563-4915

For online searches, the Nebraska Assessors Online Property Search tool and the Platte County/City of Columbus GIS Viewer may be used to locate property records by owner name, parcel number, or property address.

Platte County Court Records Online

While the official custodians remain the courts and county offices, individuals may also access specific Platte County court records online through private websites like Nebraskacourtrecords.us which offer aggregated Nebraska court records. However, since these are not official repositories, their records may not always be accurate or up-to-date.