Nevada Public Records
The Nevada PRA (NPRA) is a broad and sweeping law that covers all public records in the state of Nevada. The NPRA provides that any person can inspect or obtain a copy of any public record, except as otherwise provided by law.
Citizens or non-citizens of Nevada may request public records from any state or local government entity. There is no requirement that the requester is a resident of the state, nor is there a requirement that the records being requested pertain to the requester.
How to Find Nevada Public Records
Nevada has a FOIA request form template, which can be found here. However, some government agencies have specific request forms that should be used if available.
The first step in finding public records is identifying the government agency that maintains the records you seek. Once you have placed the appropriate agency, you should contact the agency to determine how to submit a public records request.
Each government agency must designate a point of contact for public records requests. The end of contact is responsible for receiving and responding to public records requests.
Are Nevada Public Records Available Online?
Most public records in Nevada are available online. However, there is no central repository for all public records in the state.
The best way to find online public records is to start with the government agency website that maintains the records you seek. Many agencies have an online search tool that allows you to search for public records.
For instance, the Nevada Secretary of State’s website has a searchable database of business entities. The Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) also has an online search tool for placing orders for birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Some government agencies charge fees for public records, while others do not. It is always best to contact the agency beforehand to determine if there will be any charges associated with your request.
What Records are Available in Nevada?
The vast majority of public records in Nevada are available to the public. These include:
- Court records
- Birth and death records
- Marriage and divorce records
- Business filings
- Criminal history
- Property records
- And more
What Records are Non-Public in Nevada?
Some public records may be exempt from disclosure under the Nevada PRA. These exemptions are generally intended to protect individuals' privacy or preserve the confidentiality of certain information.
Some of the more common exemptions to the Nevada PRA include:
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege or confidentiality
- Medical records
- Personnel records
- Test results
- Trade secrets
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Juvenile records
- And more
Suppose you seek public records that you believe may be exempt from disclosure. In that case, it is best to contact the government agency that maintains the records to determine if they are available.
Types of Public Records Available in Nevada
The types of public records available in Nevada will vary depending on the government agency that maintains the records. Some of the more common types of public records available in Nevada include:
Nevada Public Criminal Records
Criminal records contain information about individuals who have been convicted of crimes. These records are maintained by the court system in Nevada and are generally available to the public.
The Nevada Department of Public Safety Records, Communications, and Compliance Division maintains a statewide criminal history database. This database is available to the public for a fee and can be obtained by mail.
You need the following information to request a criminal history report:
- Completed Request for Nevada Criminal History (DPS 006)
- The individual’s full name
- The individual’s date of birth
- Mailing address
- A $27 fee
- Fingerprint card
You can send it to the address below:
Department of Public Safety
Records, Communication, and Compliance Division
333, West Nye Lane, Suite 100
Carson City, NV 89706
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Nevada :
Arrest Records and Warrants
Arrest records can be obtained from the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. In most cases, these records are public and available upon request. You can also access arrest records in a Criminal History Report (see above).
Warrants are issued by the court and can be obtained from the court clerk. Warrants are generally public records, although there may be some exceptions.
Inmate and Jail Records
The State of Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) is in charge of inmate records. The records are available to the public for free, and there is no need to request them in advance. You can search for inmate records by name or Offender Identification Number here.
You can find the following information in an inmate record:
- Name
- Mugshot
- Inmate Number
- Age/Date of Birth
- Gender
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Admission Date
- Current Location
- Parole Eligibility Date
- Sentence Information
- Criminal History
Jails and Prisons in Nevada :
Nevada Background Checks
Employers, landlords, and others may conduct background checks in Nevada. These checks can include criminal history, employment history, credit history, and more.
Background checks are considered public records in Nevada. However, the background check subject may have a right to privacy under the law. As such, some information included in a background check report may be exempt from disclosure.
To request a background check, you must contact the government agency or private company conducting the checks. You will likely need to provide the following information:
- The subject’s entire name
- The subject’s date of birth
- The subject’s social security number
- Your contact information
- A fee (varies by provider)
The state also has laws regulating background checks in certain situations, such as hiring employees. For instance, NRS 613.570 states that credit history reports may not be used to deny employment to an applicant.
How to find Sex Offenders in Nevada
The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Records, Communications, and Compliance Division maintains a public database of registered sex offenders. The Public Sex Offender Registry is available online and can be searched by name, vehicle, or geography.
Nevada Public Vital Records
As mentioned above, the Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) is the state-level agency that manages birth, death, and marriage records.
VitalChek is the official vital records provider for the state of Nevada, wherein you can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates online.
You can also order birth and death certificates by mail or in person. Specific requirements need to be met, and some fees that need to be paid. For more information, you can visit the DPBH website or the county website where the event occurred.
You must contact the county courthouse where the event was filed to order a marriage or divorce certificate.
Nevada Court Records
The Nevada Judiciary website provides court case information, including dockets, calendars, and documents. You can search for case information, participant or company name, case type, and filing date here.
Some court records may be sealed or restricted from public access. For instance, juvenile records are typically not available to the general public. You will need to contact the court clerk to request access to a restricted record.
State Court System in Nevada
The state court system in Nevada is divided into five levels:
- The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court. It hears appeals from the lower courts and reviews cases that raise questions of law.
- The Court of Appeals hears appeals from the district courts.
- The District Courts are the trial courts in Nevada. They have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases.
- The Justice Courts have limited jurisdiction over some instances, such as traffic offenses, minor criminal offenses, and small claims.
- The Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal offenses and traffic offenses committed within city limits.
Courts in Nevada :
Driving Records
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the state-level agency that manages driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. Your driving record will include information about your traffic violations, accidents, and license points.
It is accessible to the public and can be obtained online, by mail, or in person.
The MyDMV is an online tool where you can view and manage your personal DMV information. You can also use this tool to request a copy of your driving record. You will need to sign up for a MyDMV account and provide certain personal information, such as your name, date of birth, social security number, and driver’s license number.
There are self-service kiosks throughout the state where you can request a copy of your driving record. You must provide your driver’s license number and pay the required fee.
To request a copy of your driving record by mail, you will need to complete the Application for Individual Record Information form and submit it together with a $7 fee to:
DMV Records Section
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711-0250
Civil Driving Infractions
Civil driving infractions are moving violation that results in a fine. Examples of civil driving infractions include:
- Speeding (1-10 mph over the limit)
- Driving without insurance
- Improper lane change
- Failure to use the turn signal
Like other states, Nevada uses a point system to track driving infractions. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may be assigned 1-8 points.
Nevada License Plate Lookup
While there is no official license plate lookup service in Nevada, you can request information about a vehicle’s registered owner from the DMV. You must provide the vehicle’s license plate, make, and model. The DMV may also require you to provide your name, address, and driver’s license number.
Third-party companies also offer license plate lookup services.
Nevada Property and Asset Records Online
Nevada property records are managed by the Register of Deeds in each county. These records include property ownership, sales, and mortgages, while some counties may also have property tax records.
To access these records, you must visit the Register of Deeds in person or search the county website. Each county has its process for searching property records. Generally, you will need to provide the property address or owner’s name.
Some counties also have an online search tool that you can use to find property records. For example, Clark County has an online search tool called Property Search.
The Office of the State Treasurer manages unclaimed properties in Nevada. These are properties that have been abandoned or unclaimed by their rightful owner. Examples of unclaimed property include:
- Bank accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Wages
- Land
You can search for unclaimed property here.
Important Government Agencies in Nevada
Several government agencies in Nevada manage public records. These agencies include:
- Nevada Secretary of State
- Nevada Governor's Office
- Nevada State Library and Archives
- Nevada Legislature
- Nevada Attorney General
- The Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
- Nevada Judiciary
- Nevada Department of Public Safety Records, Communications, and Compliance Division
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Office of the State Treasurer
Counties in Nevada
- Carson City
- Churchill
- Clark
- Douglas
- Elko
- Esmeralda
- Eureka
- Humboldt
- Lander
- Lincoln
- Lyon
- Mineral
- Nye
- Pershing
- Storey
- Washoe
- White Pine