Court records of Lancaster County, Nebraska, are available through several channels. LancasterCourt.us allows for quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online systems of the state's judicial branch, directly at the court clerk's office, or through public terminals in the courthouse.
Lancaster Court System & Jurisdictions
In Lancaster County, there are two main courts of general jurisdiction, as well as a separate juvenile court — one of only three such courts in the state.
County Court handles:
- Misdemeanors (minor offenses)
- Traffic violations
- Civil claims up to $57,000
- Small claims up to $3,900
- Probate cases — the process of distributing a deceased person's estate
- Guardianship and conservatorship
Felonies begin in County Court at the preliminary hearing stage but are then transferred to District Court.
District Court is a higher-level court. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil disputes exceeding the jurisdiction of County Court, divorce cases, paternity establishment, and appeals from County Court. Contact information for both courts is gathered on the Lancaster County Courts page:
Separate Juvenile Court operates independently from County Court and handles cases involving juveniles — offenses, child protection, termination of parental rights. Lancaster is one of three counties in Nebraska where such a court exists as a standalone institution.
Lancaster Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or the week, use one of two tools.
- Court Calendar Search on the Nebraska Judicial Branch website — select Lancaster County and the type of court (County, District, or Juvenile), specify the date.
- Multi-Court Case Calendar on the Nebraska.gov portal — allows searching by date or party's last name. Date search is limited to the current and next weeks.
Both resources are free. Lancaster Juvenile Court calendars are also available through these systems. For information about a specific case, not just the schedule, refer to the JUSTICE system — it covers criminal, civil, traffic, juvenile, and probate cases in all 93 counties of the state.
How to Get a Copy of a Lancaster Court Document
First, determine which court is handling your case — this will dictate where to go.
Online Request
Lancaster County provides separate request forms for each court. On the public records request page, you will find links for:
- County Court
- District Court
- Juvenile Court
Fill out the appropriate form, providing the case number (if known) or the full name of the party and approximate date.
In-Person Request
Visit the court clerk's office at the Lancaster County Courthouse. Public terminals allow you to view case information on-site. To obtain a paper copy, contact the clerk.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the address above. Include the full name of the party, case number, type of document (certified or uncertified), and payment. Certified copies are usually required for legal procedures — filing in another court, immigration cases, etc. Regular (uncertified) copies are suitable for informational purposes.
Note: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records are maintained not by the court but by the Office of Vital Records at the Nebraska Department of Health.
Lancaster Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to Nebraska state statutes (specifically Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 33-101 and following). Below are typical fees charged by the court clerk's office — check with the clerk for current amounts as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified document copy (certification) | $1.00–$2.00 per certification + copying cost |
| Page copying | $0.25–$0.50 per page |
| Record search (upon request) | An hourly fee may be charged for staff time |
| Online search via JUSTICE | Free (basic information viewing) |
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. For mail requests — check or money order payable to the appropriate Clerk of Court. Confirm with the clerk whether credit cards are accepted for the specific type of request.
If you only need basic information — case status, next hearing date, list of documents — start with the free search through eServices of the judicial branch or LancasterCourt.us. This will save time and money before ordering official copies.