Where to Find Nevada Civil Court Records

Nevada Civil Court records are official documents on civil actions and proceedings involving two or more parties within Nevada jurisdiction. These documents include filings, disclosure statements, court transcripts, motions, notices of hearings, affidavits, and interrogatories created during civil litigations. The Clerk of Courts creates, maintains, and disseminates Civil Court records in the District Court where the case was filed. Likewise, requesters may obtain these Civil Court records on NevadaCourtRecords.us.

Are Nevada Civil Court Records Public?

Yes, under the Nevada Public Records Law, interested members of the public in Nevada may access and copy non-confidential Civil Court records at the Clerk of Courts Office in the local courthouse where the case was filed. However, the public may not access Civil Court records that contain sensitive identifying information on individuals or information on minors. Otherwise, only the following entities have access to confidential and sealed court records:

• Individuals involved in the litigation
• Legal designees of the litigants
• Attorneys of litigants
• Certain government agencies such as court officials and law enforcement
• Requesters armed with a court order

Types of Cases in Nevada Civil Courts

Generally, Nevada Civil Courts hear and settle non-criminal cases under the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure. These cases are typically disputes between two or more individuals, private and public entities. Unlike criminal cases, defendants do not face criminal charges or penalties. The court resolves civil cases by compelling the defendant to fulfill an obligation or pay the compensatory damages awarded to the plaintiff. The parties involved may also resolve the dispute through mediated out-of-court settlements before the case proceeds to trial. Examples of civil cases include:

• Torts and personal injury claims
• Replevin actions
• Environmental regulations disputes
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Non-violent civil rights violations such as discrimination
• Business and contract disputes
• Intellectual property disputes
• Unfair business practices
• Medical malpractice claims
• Employer-employee disputes
• Real estate and boundary disputes
• Divorce and separation
• Child custody and child support
• Spousal support
• Adoption
• Emancipation
• Bankruptcy
• Small Claims

What is the Difference between Criminal Cases and Civil Cases in Nevada?

The Nevada Criminal Rules of Practice regards criminal cases as those involving offenses that harmed or have the potential to damage another individual or entity. In this case, the financial loss suffered by the victim is not the leading cause of litigation, and the court imposes penalties such as jail time or fines on the guilty offender. The state initiates legal action during a criminal case, while the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure states that civil cases are those involving non-violent disputes. These disputes can be between individuals, private businesses, or public institutions regarding failed duties or obligations. The court resolves civil cases by compelling the other party to fulfill a requirement or compensate the plaintiff for damages. Also, the plaintiff must initiate legal action during a civil case.

How Do I Find Civil Court Records In Nevada?

The Clerk of Courts creates, maintains, and disseminates Civil Court records at the local court where the case was filed and heard. The Nevada Judiciary maintains a list of the addresses and contact information of all courts in the state on this webpage. Generally, a requester must visit the Clerk's Office during business hours to obtain the court records of interest. Moreover, courts may allow mail-in requests, remote online access, or access at public terminals in the courthouse.

Regardless of the means of access, a requester must provide the records' custodian with all the relevant information needed to facilitate the record search. Typically required information includes the date of filing, personal information about the litigants, case number, and docket number.

Furthermore, requesters will be required to provide a government-issued photo-ID to access court records. Most courts also require requesters to pay a small fee to facilitate the search and cover the costs of copying the documents. Besides, requesters who seek certified records may incur additional charges. Likewise, requesters who seek confidential or sealed court records must provide a court order along with the requirements mentioned above.

How Do I Find Civil Court Records Online?

Generally, requesters may obtain Nevada Civil Court records online using the electronic case management resources on the state or local judiciary website. However, the availability of these online resources differs from county to county. For example, to access Churchill County District Court records online, the requester must complete and submit a records request form. At the state level, the Nevada Judiciary is the central custodian of all Civil Court Records. Requesters may access court records on the Nevada electronic case management ECF/PACER portal. Third-party websites provide online access to court records, which is especially useful to find multiple court records in different local jurisdictions.

However, online access to confidential or sealed records containing the following is restricted:

• Identifying information on a minor
• Testimony from a juvenile or minor
• Adoption
• Guardianship terminating parental rights
• Certain information on marriage licenses
• Emergency mental health evaluations
• Income tax returns
• Financial statements containing PINs and SSNs (except the last four digits)
• Court records in a civil harassment proceeding

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching more uncomplicated, as the search is not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved, including details such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

What Is Included In a Nevada Civil Court Record?

The information on Civil Court records varies depending on the nature of the case, the litigants involved, and the local jurisdiction. However, a typical civil court record contains the following information:

• Litigants' names and addresses
• Attorneys' names and addresses (if represented)
• Court summons
• Notices of hearing
• Details of the complaint or claim
• Amendments to the complaint or claim
• Disclosure statement
• Depositions
• Interrogatories
• Damages sought
• Injunctions
• Affidavits and exhibits
• Court transcripts
• Final judgments, agreements, or settlements

How to Access Nevada Civil Court Records For Free

The ECF/PACER system allows free online access to court records under certain .circumstances. Likewise, courts generally provide free access to court records maintained on public terminals at the Clerk's Office. The Clerk of Courts may also waive associated access fees if the requester qualifies. However, sensitive documents and private information are not available. To access these records, the requester must present a court order to the official custodian of the record.

How to Seal Civil Court Records in Nevada

The Nevada Legislature provides systematic instructions on sealing or redacting Civil Court Records. Generally, to seal a Civil Court record, the petitioner must file a motion to seal with the Clerk of Courts where the case was heard. The court may grant the request to seal or redact all or parts of records in a civil action on the grounds that demonstrate compelling privacy or safety interests that outweigh public interest to access the court record. These grounds include:

• The request is based on an order entered under NRCP 12(f) or JCRCP 12(f) or a protective order registered under NRCP 26(c) or JCRCP 26(c)
• The request is based on federal or state laws that serve to protect public health and safety
• The request involves redacting personal information contained in the court record
• The parties involved request to seal a record based on confidential terms of a settlement agreement
• The request pertains to medical, mental health, or tax records
• The request is necessary to protect intellectual proprietary or property interests
• Any other compelling circumstances

However, the litigants, attorneys of the litigants, their legal designees, certain court officials, and government agencies obtain sealed records. Members of the public and potential employers cannot access sealed court records without a court order.

How to Access Sealed Civil Court Records in Nevada

Generally, the records' custodian will deny a request to access sealed civil court records. Thus, the requester must petition the court to issue a court order or subpoena. The court will only grant the petition if the requester demonstrates specific legal interests and meets court requirements. Interested requesters may consult a civil law attorney or inquire about the procedure at the Clerk of Courts Office.