Carson City Court Records Search

Carson City is an independent city in western Nevada that functions as both a municipality and a county-equivalent jurisdiction. As the state capital, it is home to the First Judicial District Court — the general-jurisdiction trial court serving Carson City and neighboring Storey County — as well as the Carson City Justice and Municipal Court. Together, these courts handle criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, family law disputes, juvenile proceedings, and probate matters. The records generated through these proceedings — docket entries, filings, orders, judgments, warrants, and transcripts — are maintained by the respective court clerks and are available to the public subject to legal restrictions.

Individuals looking for court records in Nevada can begin by contacting the clerk of the court where a case was filed. Carson City’s courts are housed in a single courthouse building, making in-person access relatively straightforward. The Carson City courts page provides contact details, hours, and links to forms and payment portals. For broader statewide information on court locations, rules, and self-help resources, NevadaCourts.us and the Nevada Judiciary website both offer directories and public access tools that may assist in locating case information across the state.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Carson City?

Carson City court cases can be researched in person, by mail, by phone, or by email. The method depends on which court holds the records and whether you have identifying information such as a case number or party name.

In-Person Searches

Both the District Court Clerk and the Justice/Municipal Court Clerk accept walk-in requests during business hours at the Carson City Courthouse:

First Judicial District Court Clerk’s Office
Address: 885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031, Carson City, NV 89701-3031
Phone: (775) 887-2082
Fax: (775) 887-2177
Email: districtcourtclerk@carsoncity.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Carson City Justice & Municipal Court Clerk
Address: 885 East Musser Street, Suite 2007, Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 887-2121
Fax: (775) 887-2297
Email: justicecourtclerk@carsoncity.gov
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.)

Record Search by Mail or Email

For District Court records, written requests can be mailed to Suite 3031 at the courthouse address above, or emailed to districtcourtclerk@carsoncity.gov. Include the case number and party names if known. If the case number is unavailable, request a record search — the fee is $0.50 per year, per name. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for results to be returned by mail.

For Justice/Municipal Court records, submit written requests to justicecourtclerk@carsoncity.gov or by mail to Suite 2007. The city’s public records request page specifies that requests for cases ending in “1B” go to the District Court Clerk and those ending in “1C” go to the Justice Court Clerk.

Copy Fees — District Court

Service	Fee
Photocopy	$0.50 per page
Certification (document provided by requester)	$5.00 per document
Certification (clerk makes the copy)	$0.50/page + $3.00 per document
Exemplification (document provided by requester)	$6.00 per document
Exemplification (clerk makes the copy)	$0.50/page + $6.00 per document
Record search	$0.50 per name per year

Online Resources

Carson City courts do not currently operate their own public case-search portal. However, the Nevada Judiciary’s court directory links to available forms and contact information, and the State of Nevada Self-Help Center provides standardized court forms for various case types. The Justice Court accepts online payments for fines and fees through its online payment portal.

Are Court Records Public in Carson City?

Court records in Carson City are presumptively open to the public under the Nevada Public Records Act (NRS Chapter 239). NRS 239.010 establishes that all public books and records of a governmental entity must be open to inspection by any person unless a specific statute provides for confidentiality. Exemptions and restrictions on access must be construed narrowly, and the governmental entity bears the burden of proving that a record falls within a recognized exception.

Several categories of court records are confidential by default under Nevada law:

Sealed records — Files that a court has ordered sealed cannot be examined without a subsequent court order. The District Court Clerk will not permit inspection of sealed cases under any circumstance absent judicial authorization.
Juvenile records — Proceedings in the Juvenile Division of the First Judicial District Court are confidential. The Sheriff’s Office also restricts juvenile information, releasing it only to a parent or guardian.
Medical and mental health records — Documents containing medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment information are protected from disclosure.
Tax records — Filings that contain individual tax return data are not publicly accessible.
Trade secrets and intellectual property — Records containing proprietary business information may be redacted or restricted.
Domestic violence protective order applications — Certain portions of these filings may be restricted to protect victims.

NRS 7.285 prohibits court clerks from providing legal advice, but they can assist with locating records and explaining available procedures. The Rules of Practice for the First Judicial District Court govern additional procedural details regarding record access, filing, and case management in Carson City.

Carson City Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Carson City are divided between two courts based on the severity of the charges. The First Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions, gross misdemeanors, and criminal appeals, while the Justice & Municipal Court handles misdemeanor offenses, DUI cases, traffic violations, and conducts felony preliminary hearings. Both courts generate records that include charging documents, arraignment minutes, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and warrant information.

Searching Criminal Court Records

District Court: Contact the District Court Clerk at (775) 887-2082 or email districtcourtclerk@carsoncity.gov. Provide the defendant’s name and case number if available. In-person searches can be conducted during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Written record searches cost $0.50 per name per year.
Justice & Municipal Court: The Justice Court Clerk conducts background and records checks upon written request. You must provide the individual’s name and the number of years to be searched. The fee is $1.00 per name per year. Requests will not be processed over the telephone — they must be submitted in writing. Contact the clerk at (775) 887-2121 or email justicecourtclerk@carsoncity.gov.

Sheriff’s Office Records

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest reports, incident reports, and accident reports. To request a report, a valid government ID is required, and all fees must be paid before records are released. Payment methods include cash, money order, or cashier’s check payable to Carson City Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Mail requests can be sent to:

Carson City Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Civil and Records Division
911 East Musser Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Email: ccsorecords@carsoncity.gov

Reports with pending charges must be obtained through the prosecuting attorney, and reports involving ongoing investigations require prior approval from the District Attorney’s Office before release. Traffic accident reports can be obtained online through BuyCrash.com by selecting Nevada and Carson City Sheriff’s Office as the jurisdiction.

Statewide Criminal History

The Nevada Records of Criminal History (the state repository operated by Nevada State Police) allows individuals to request and challenge their own criminal history record. Forms are available on the repository’s website.

Carson City Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Carson City is heard by both the District Court and the Justice & Municipal Court, depending on the amount in controversy. The District Court exercises general jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding the Justice Court’s monetary threshold, including tort claims, contract disputes, and real property matters. The Justice Court hears small claims of up to $10,000 and formal civil actions of up to $10,000, as well as landlord-tenant disputes, eviction proceedings, and applications for protective orders.

Obtaining Civil Court Records

The District Court Clerk maintains all civil case files for the First Judicial District Court. Records can be requested in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. Include the case number and party names when making inquiries. If you do not know the case number, you can request a record search at $0.50 per name per year. Photocopies cost $0.50 per page, and certification fees apply as listed in the fee schedule above.

For Justice Court civil matters, contact the Justice/Municipal Court Clerk at (775) 887-2121.

Small Claims Filing Fees (Justice Court)

Claim Amount	Filing Fee (incl. service)
Up to $1,000	$111.00
$1,000.01–$2,500	$131.00
$2,500.01–$5,000	$151.00
$5,000.01–$7,500	$191.00
$7,500.01–$10,000	$241.00

Small claims forms can be picked up in person at the Justice Court or requested by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Suite 2007 at the courthouse address. Once filed, hearings are generally scheduled within approximately 30 days.

Eviction Filings

The Justice Court also handles summary eviction proceedings. The filing fee for a notice of eviction is $71.00. Available forms include a 5-Day Failure to Perform Conditions of Rental Agreement notice and a No Cause Notice to Quit; both can be obtained from the court’s forms page.

Property Records

Property-related records — deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and mining records — are maintained by the Carson City Recorder’s Office. The Recorder’s staff are unable to perform property history searches, but the office’s online tools include a property information inquiry for tax and assessment data, parcel maps, and a permit search tool.

Carson City Family Court Records

Family law matters in Carson City — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and guardianship — are adjudicated by the First Judicial District Court. The court sits in regular session for family cases Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All family case records are maintained by the District Court Clerk.

Divorce Records

Copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the District Court Clerk’s office in person, by mail, or by email. Provide the case number and the names of the parties. If the case number is unknown, a record search can be requested at $0.50 per name per year. Fees for copies are:

Photocopy: $0.50 per page
Certification: $3.00 per document (plus copy fees if the clerk must produce the copy from the original)
Exemplification: $6.00 per document (plus copy fees if applicable)

For self-represented litigants, Nevada Supreme Court standardized divorce forms are available through the State of Nevada Self-Help Center. NRS 7.285 prohibits the Clerk’s office from giving legal advice or guidance on how to prepare or file divorce paperwork.

Protective Orders

The Justice & Municipal Court accepts applications for temporary protective orders against domestic violence and stalking or harassment. Applicants must come to the courthouse in person. Advocates to End Domestic Violence, located on the third floor of the courthouse, can assist with completing the application. Their phone number is (775) 884-1886, with after-hours availability at (775) 883-7654.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Carson City are issued by the Marriage Department of the Carson City Clerk-Recorder’s Office, located in Suite 1025 of the courthouse. The license fee is $85.00, and a certified copy costs $15.00. Payment may be made by cash or credit card (Visa or MasterCard; a 3% transaction fee applies to card payments). The Marriage Department operates by appointment only.

To order a certified copy of a marriage record, you can use the online ordering system or submit a Marriage Record Request Form by mail to:

Carson City Marriage Department
885 East Musser Street, Suite 1025
Carson City, NV 89701

Mail requests require a certified check or money order payable to Carson City Marriages. A certified copy costs $15.00 and a regular (non-certified) copy costs $1.00. The Justice of the Peace also performs marriage ceremonies Monday through Friday by appointment at a cost of $75.00 (cash only); a valid marriage license and a witness must be provided.

Birth and Death Records

Birth and death certificates for Carson City are maintained by the Office of Vital Statistics within the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. Certificates can be requested online through VitalChek, in person (by appointment), or by mail. Current fees through VitalChek are $45.00 for a birth certificate and $42.00–$45.00 for a death certificate; an additional $20.00 applies for expedited delivery.

For mail requests, submit a completed Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application along with a valid form of identification and payment to:

Office of Vital Statistics
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-4242
Email: vitalrecords@health.nv.gov

Eligibility restrictions apply to birth certificates; only the individual named, qualifying family members, or legal representatives may obtain certified copies. In-person appointments for genealogical searches cost $10.00 per 30-minute session per name or variant.

Juvenile Court Records

The Juvenile Division of the First Judicial District Court is located in a separate facility:

First Judicial District Court — Juvenile Division
Address: 1545 East Fifth Street, Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 887-2038
Fax: (775) 887-2513
Email: juvenilecourt@carsoncity.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Juvenile case records are confidential under Nevada law and are not available for public inspection. Access is limited to parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. The court accepts petitions for delinquency, dependency, and related matters.

Carson City Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Carson City — including the administration of decedents’ estates, will contests, guardianships, and conservatorships — are heard by the First Judicial District Court. All probate case files are maintained by the District Court Clerk.

Requesting Probate Records

Probate records can be obtained by contacting the District Court Clerk’s office in person, by mail, by phone, or by email:

Carson City District Court Clerk’s Office
885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031
Carson City, NV 89701-3031
Phone: (775) 887-2082
Email: districtcourtclerk@carsoncity.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

When requesting probate records, provide the case number and the name of the decedent or the parties involved. If the case number is not known, the clerk can perform a record search at $0.50 per name per year. Standard photocopy, certification, and exemplification fees apply as outlined in the District Court’s fee schedule.

Court Forms

The State of Nevada Self-Help Center maintains free probate forms for guardianship petitions, estate administration, and related filings. The First Judicial District Court’s local rules of practice contain specific procedural requirements for probate and guardianship cases filed in Carson City, including rules on notice, inventory timelines, and accounting obligations.

Guardianships

Guardianship proceedings over minors and incapacitated adults are filed with the District Court. The Self-Help Center provides standardized guardianship forms, but given the complexity of these matters, the court recommends consulting an attorney. Guardianship case records are generally public unless the court has ordered specific filings restricted to protect the ward’s interests.

Fee Waivers

Individuals who cannot afford filing fees for probate or any other civil proceeding may apply for a fee waiver through the Self-Help Center. The court reviews each application on a case-by-case basis.