Are Nevada Records Public?

The Nevada Public Records Act (NPRA) describes all records owned, maintained, and stored by state agencies as public records, except where exempted by law. Examples of such records include meeting minutes, memos, reports, surveys, or any other record created by any party for a government agency or paid for with government funds. Other examples of public records may include:

• Maps
• Photographs
• Surveys and Plans
• Financial documents
• Written or printed records
• Electronic records

The Nevada Public Records Act (NPRA) allows individuals, partnerships, corporations, or entities licensed by a contract or agreement with the government or a quasi-public government agency to keep and administer public records. Private bodies can also maintain public records for a government agency. Such records are also public records and are accessible to all requesters without prejudice.

Under the NPRA, interested parties can make requests for public records verbally or in writing by contacting record custodians. These are government agency staff who are designated for managing records and processing requesters’ record applications. 

Who Can Access Nevada Public Records?

Under the NPRA, anyone can approach the record custodian of the government agency and request records or inspect books maintained by the agency. Specifically, individuals, LLCs, organizations, and partnerships can make records requests without prejudice. Nevada Public Records Laws require all governmental agencies to ensure all public records and documents in their custody are always open during official hours of the day for inspection by anyone. Furthermore, records requesters do not have to be residents of Nevada to have unrestricted access to inspecting public records.

Making a records request can be done verbally or in writing. However, written records requests are better as they help document extensive requests and can be reexamined when filing an appeal. Such records can also be copied in their entirety or a memo/abstract made from the actual records. 

Note: Ensure that you check the general guidelines provided by the governmental agency for requesting records. Some departments use forms that must be filled out accurately. Nevada records custodians have a period of five business days to settle records requests.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Public Records in Nevada?

Public records are open to all for inspection in Nevada, and there is no requirement for a statement of purpose when making a records request. The records custodians also should not ask for identification from requesters as residents and non-residents can apply. The Nevada Public Records Law states that all requesters are equal and must be treated as such. It means that any identification requests made by the records custodian are aimed at verifying the eligibility of the requester and also determining if a fee waiver can apply. Such fee waivers are granted at the custodian’s discretion and when some conditions are met.

What Records are Public in Nevada?

According to Nevada Public Records Law, anyone can access and inspect books and records of a governmental agency within work hours. Records that can be classified as public records include marriage records, death records, sex offender lists, specific property documents, birth records, and inmate records. Public records may also include records and documents maintained by quasi-governmental entities.

Nevada Public Court Records

Nevada court records are documents, files, and memos that are created and compiled in the course of a court proceeding. While the rules of court may vary for some jurisdictions, designated court clerks typically manage and maintain public court records. Record requesters can apply to obtain any of the following public court records:

• Transcripts
• Judgments
• Pleadings
• Court orders
• Court filings
• Court indexes
• Calendars

Nevada public court records are open to anyone in the state to access and inspect, including residents and non-residents of Nevada.

Records requesters can use the Nevada Courts’ Case Lookup Tool to search through the court records. This tool can also be used to find a court, find a case, find a document, find an attorney, and find legal forms. The case lookup section allows a search of Nevada court records using case numbers and captions, which can be the name of a party to the case or a company’s name. Alternatively, requesters can make a direct online records request.

Note: Where certain court records are classified as confidential, requesters cannot get copies from the website and the court clerk.

Nevada Public Criminal Records

Nevada criminal records refer to the documentation of convictions and criminal history for an individual or a group. Criminal records are public records in Nevada, except where a law restricts open access. The Nevada State Police Records, Communications, and Compliance Division is responsible for maintaining public criminal records in Nevada. It provides an online platform where requesters can submit requests for criminal records and inspect record forms.

Requesters can also approach criminal courts to request criminal records from court clerks. Generally, requesting criminal records will require the requester to provide some details to aid the record reproduction. The registrant’s name, arresting officer, date of birth, or case file number are relevant details to provide when making criminal records requests.

Department of Public Safety

Records, Communications, and Compliance Division

333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100

Carson City, NV 89706

Nevada Public Arrest Records

Nevada arrest records contain detailed information and documents on law enforcement arrests within their jurisdictions. Record seekers must note that arrest records are not proof of convictions in any way. These records are accessible to the public, except a certain law makes them private.

 Nevada arrest records are usually maintained and handled by the state police and local sheriff’s offices for arrests within their respective jurisdictions. You can request arrest records in Nevada by approaching the relevant state police department or local sheriff’s office and making a request from the records custodian. Provide enough details to aid the custodian’s search of the database, like the arresting agency, location, individual’s full name, or booking date.

Nevada Public Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records contain details of individuals, partnerships, companies, and other entities that have filed for bankruptcy. Such records include information such as the debt amount, debtor’s name, creditor’s list with credit furnished, existing assets, and bankruptcy filing chapter.

Bankruptcy records are accessible to residents and non-residents of Nevada by law and maintained by the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada. Records seekers can use the PACER information platform of the US Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada. You can also approach the court to inspect or request for any public bankruptcy record. The court opens on weekdays to take requests.

Foley Federal Building and United States Courthouse

300 Las Vegas Blvd South

Las Vegas, NV 89101

(702) 527-7000

helpdesk@nvb.uscourts.gov

Nevada Public Birth Records

Nevada birth records contain details of births that have occurred in the state. The Office of Vital Records, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioural Health, maintains and handles Nevada’s public birth records. Record seekers must provide certain details to the records custodian to aid the search for the requested record. Such details can be the place of birth, name of registrant, and date of birth. When applying, the requester must also provide a valid ID, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Office of Vital Records

4150 Technology Way Ste 104

Carson City, NV 89706

(775) 684-4242

Nevada Public Death Records

Nevada death records refer to death certificates and other related documentation on deaths within the state. Such records are maintained by the Office of Vital Records, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioural Health.

Records seekers can apply to the city clerk of the location of the death to get a copy of the death certificate. However, some information about the deceased or death will be needed to make the search more precise, such as

• Place of death
• Date of death
• Deceased’s parent’s full name
• Deceased’s full name
• Requester’s relationship to the deceased
• Deceased’s spouse’s full name

Records seekers must also pay the prescribed/required fees and verify their identity with a valid government-issued identification, which can be a military ID, driver’s license, or a US passport.

Office of Vital Records

4150 Technology Way Ste 104

Carson City, NV 89706

(775) 684-4242

Nevada Public Marriage Records 

Nevada marriage records provide official documentation of couples joined by law within the state. The Nevada Office of Vital Records serves as the primary custodian for maintaining marriage records in the state. Marriage records are also maintained in counties. These records contain information like the wedded parties, witnesses’ names, parents, place and date of the marriage, and the wedding official. When applying for copies of a record, requesters must provide some details like the date of marriage, place of marriage, or the name of the couple to aid the records search.

201 South Carson Street

Suite 201

Carson City, NV

89701-4702

(775) 684-1600

408 East Clark Avenue

Las Vegas, NV 89101

(701) 468-9300

Nevada Public Divorce Records

Divorce records in Nevada include documentation and details on marriage dissolutions. They contain information such as the grounds for divorce, divorce terms details, names of divorcing parties, and court of filing from these records. The Office of Vital Records, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, and Nevada Division of Public and Behavioural Health maintain Nevada’s divorce records. Records seekers can approach the Registrar of Probate Court for the relevant county to make records requests.

Nevada Public Inmate Records

Inmate records contain documentation and details on incarcerations in Nevada, such as the offender’s full name, date of birth, ID, location, convicted crimes, and age. Under the Nevada Public Records Act (NPRA), such records are public and accessible to all residents and non-residents. At the state level, the Nevada Department of Corrections maintains records of offenders housed in state-run facilities. However, records for county and city jails are maintained by the county sheriffs and city police, respectively. Records seekers must approach the appropriate department to make records requests, but for non-confidential records only. Requesters must also provide the inmate’s commitment number and full name to streamline the search.

Stewart Facility

5500 Snyder Avenue, Bldg. 17

Carson City, Nevada 89701

(775) 977-5500 - Phone

(775) 977-5721 - Fax

Nevada Public Sex Offender Information

Most sex offender information is open to the public. The Nevada Department of Public Safety provides online access to sex offender information via a Sex Offender Registry. Records seekers can use the online registry and various keywords to search for key details such as the offender’s details, name, registration status, level, city, neighborhood, or county. You can also get some information on sex offenders from local law enforcement agencies.

Department of Public Safety 

Records, Communications, and Compliance Division

333  West Nye Lane, Suite 100

Carson City, NV 89706

(775) 684-6262

Note: In addition to the National Sex Offender Public Website, local sheriff departments may choose to publish sex offender names and details in the dailies.

Nevada Public Property Records

Property records include all information and documents about property ownership and alienation of interest or title in Nevada. Nevada's public records law includes property records as public records that must be accessible to residents and non-residents. Nevada property records are available and maintained by the Department of Business and Industry, Nevada Real Estate Division. The Administration Section Manager handles records recuse, and applications should be addressed and submitted to him/her. You can also make a county search for property records as they are maintained by each county in Nevada.

Nevada Department of Business and Industry

Real Estate Division

3300 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 350

Las Vegas, Nevada 89102

What is Exempted Under the Nevada Public Records Act?

Public records are made accessible to anyone in Nevada, but certain circumstances can require some information to be redacted or protected. These include information exempted from Nevada's public records law. Such exemptions can include

• Welfare information
• Names of donors
• Medical details
• Academic details
• Militia and National Guard details
• Personal identification numbers, credit card numbers, digital certificates, authorization/access codes, and virtual/physical keys.
• Examination materials

Where records requesters request records with confidential and non-confidential information, the confidential part is separated before copies are administered.

How Do I Find Public Records in Nevada?

Public records are easy to find in Nevada, and you can make physical or online searches. Records seekers must first identify the public agency in charge of maintaining the records sought. Approach the records custodian for the agency and make a formal records request or use the online options made available to request or conduct a records search. Most public agencies in Nevada have online systems for easier and more convenient access to records.

Records seekers are advised to use written requests as it will leave evidence that can be consulted when an appeal is filed. Oral requests can also suffice for simpler and less complicated record requests. Records seekers must also give some information to aid the records search, such as:

• File name
• Description of the records sought
• Case number
• Full name of registrant
• Officials on record
• Requester’s full name and contact information

Requesters must be ready to pay the required fees for obtaining the records sought. Applications must also state that the records are requested under Nevada Public Records law.

Can I Find Free Public Records in Nevada Using Third-Party Sites?

Nevada public records may be accessible on some third-party websites. Such sites offer compiled records from across the public agencies and jurisdictions in Nevada into a neat archive. Records are offered for free with record options like inmate records, court records, birth and death records, and criminal records.

Third-party sites also require the provision of some information about the records sought to aid precise search through the database. The names of the registrant, the location of an incident, or the filing date can be used to make a streamlined records search. Third-party sites usually do not require requesters to provide any identification when making records requests. To use third-party sites, requesters must ensure that they use government-approved sources to verify the information on the websites.

How Much Do Public Records Cost in Nevada?

Nevada public records fees are based on services rendered as well as the volume of the records. Requesters can be charged based on personnel time and fee cap. The fee cap for large requests will be at most 50 cents per page, while personnel time can be charged on large requests at $20 per hour. Records custodians have the discretion to waive fees on their services. Commercially motivated requests will be charged for, and staff labor will also be paid for.

Extraordinary records requests will usually require more time and personnel, and requesters should expect an estimate of fees before the processing of the application.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

It is possible to be denied a record following a records request. Requesters must first know and understand the reason for the records request denial. Records custodians can have cogent reasons for rejecting requests, which can include the eligibility of the requester or privacy concerns. Requesters must get a copy of the records sought within five business days of receiving the application. Requesters can file an appeal if this time limit is exhausted.

The custodian must reply with a copy of the records or a refusal with the law clearly stated supporting the decision. The options available to requesters in this situation are:

• File a civil action to get the records released
• Submit another request with corrections from the previous request
• File an appeal within 90 days of getting the refusal. File this appeal to the Supervisor of Records.