Churchill County Court Records Search
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Churchill County, Nevada, is served by a three-tier court system headquartered in Fallon, the county seat. The Tenth Judicial District Court holds general jurisdiction over the county’s most serious legal matters, while the New River Township Justice Court and the Fallon Municipal Court handle lower-level criminal, civil, and traffic cases. Records generated across these courts — including case filings, judgments, orders, dockets, and pleadings — document the full scope of criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile proceedings in the county.
Residents and researchers looking for court case information in Nevada can work through several channels: clerk offices at the courthouse, online record request tools, and in-person public access resources. NevadaCourts.us is a useful reference point for locating publicly available court case information across the state, and the county’s own official portals provide direct access to record request forms and filing resources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Churchill County?
Churchill County provides several official methods for accessing court records, depending on the type of case and the court that handled it.
Online Record Request
The county’s Record Requests portal is the primary online tool for submitting court record searches. Users complete and download the Request for Court Records / JAVS Recording Form (PDF) and submit it to the District Court Clerk’s office by email, mail, or in person. Court staff will respond within five business days.
In-Person Access
All three courts are accessible for in-person record requests during their respective business hours. Public access is available at the District Court Clerk’s office for reviewing case files.
Mail Requests
Written requests with required fees may be mailed directly to the District Court Clerk. Payment must be by money order or cashier’s check; cash is accepted only for amounts of $28.00 or less, and debit/credit cards are not accepted for filing fee or record payments at the District Court.
Court Locations
Churchill County District Court (Tenth Judicial District)
Address: 73 North Maine Street, Suite B, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: (775) 423-6088 | Fax: (775) 423-8578
Email: districtcourt@churchillcourts.org
Filing Hours: 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
(Court closes 12:00–1:00 p.m. daily; staff accessible by phone 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
New River Township Justice Court
Address: 71 North Maine Street, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: (775) 423-2845 | Fax: (775) 423-0472
Fallon Municipal Court
Address: 55 West Williams Avenue, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: (775) 423-6244 | Fax: (775) 423-2378
Are Court Records Public in Churchill County?
Court records in Churchill County are public documents under Chapter 239 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), which establishes the Nevada Public Records Act. Under NRS 239.010, all public records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Any person may inspect or obtain copies of public court records by submitting a request to the appropriate court clerk.
Restricted and Confidential Records
While the presumption favors public access, certain categories of records are restricted or require redaction before release:
- Juvenile court records — protected under separate confidentiality statutes
- Sealed criminal records — access limited to authorized parties after a sealing order
- Mental commitment records — restricted under NRS provisions governing mental health proceedings
- Records containing Social Security numbers, financial account details, or medical information — released only with those identifiers redacted
- Victim identity information in certain criminal cases
- Active grand jury materials
Requesters seeking records involving confidential personal information should expect redacted versions of otherwise public documents. For information on sealing a criminal record, the Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division provides the applicable forms and process details.
Record Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search | $0.50 per name, per year |
| Copy of documents | $0.50 per page |
| Certification of documents | $3.00 + copy fees |
| JAVS audio/video recording | $25.00 per disc |
Payment must be by money order or cashier’s check. Cash is accepted only when the total is $28.00 or less. The District Court does not accept debit or credit cards.
Churchill County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Churchill County is split between the Justice Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense.
Jurisdiction by Court
| Court | Criminal Case Type |
|---|---|
| New River Township Justice Court | Misdemeanors (including traffic), arraignments, preliminary hearings for felonies and gross misdemeanors |
| Tenth Judicial District Court | Felonies, gross misdemeanors (convictions and sentencing), appeals from Justice Court |
| Fallon Municipal Court | Municipal ordinance violations and misdemeanors within city limits |
The Justice Court handles the initial stages of felony and gross misdemeanor cases — including arraignments, status hearings, and preliminary examinations — before transferring them to the District Court for trial, conviction, and sentencing. The Justice Court also has full authority over misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic citations from start through sentencing.
Requesting Criminal Records
Submit a completed Request for Court Records / JAVS Recording Form to the District Court Clerk (for felony/gross misdemeanor records) or the Justice Court (for misdemeanor records). At the Justice Court, record search fees are $1.00 per year per record.
Criminal Record Sealing
Individuals seeking to seal a criminal record in Nevada must follow the process outlined by the Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division. The District Court provides an Application for Payment Plan (PDF) for defendants managing court-imposed fines.
Sheriff’s Office
The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and operates the county detention facility. Arrest records connected to court proceedings may be accessed through the appropriate court file; arrest records that did not result in prosecution are maintained separately by the Sheriff’s Office.
Churchill County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 180 West A Street, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: (775) 423-3116 | Fax: (775) 423-6689
Emergency: 911
Churchill County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction in Churchill County is distributed across the District Court and Justice Court based on the monetary value of the claim.
Civil Jurisdiction by Court
| Court | Civil Case Type |
|---|---|
| Tenth Judicial District Court | Claims exceeding $15,000; appeals from lower courts |
| New River Township Justice Court | Formal civil suits, small claims up to $10,000, landlord/tenant hearings, evictions, garnishments, temporary restraining orders |
Justice Court Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims | Up to $1,000 | $46.00 |
| Civil Suit | Up to $2,500 | $51.00 |
| Civil Suit | $2,500.01–$5,000 | $101.00 |
| Civil Suit | $5,000.01–$10,000 | $176.00 |
| Evictions | All evictions | $51.00 |
The full Civil Filing Fee chart for the Justice Court is available on the county website. Small claims appeals to the District Court require a filing fee of $184.00 ($50 for Justice Court and $134 to the District Court).
Pro Se Civil Forms
The Tenth Judicial District Court provides free forms for self-represented litigants, including a Civil Cover Sheet (PDF), Sample Civil Complaint (PDF), Civil Answer (PDF), Writ of Execution (PDF), and Writ of Garnishment (PDF). All forms must be printed single-sided. Filing fees must be paid by cashier’s check or money order — the District Court does not accept debit or credit cards. Additional civil resources are available through the Nevada Self-Help Center.
Searching Civil Records
Submit a Record Requests form to the District Court Clerk for civil case documents. Land records and property instruments recorded by the Recorder’s Office can be searched through the Churchill County Landmark Web Records Search.
Churchill County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Churchill County — including divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, adoption, guardianship, and domestic relations — are handled exclusively by the Tenth Judicial District Court. The Justice Court does not hear divorce, custody, or estate matters; those inquiries should be directed to the District Court at (775) 423-6088.
Filing Family Cases
Family court forms are not maintained directly on the District Court’s local forms page. Instead, the court directs litigants to the Nevada Self-Help Center for forms covering divorce, custody and paternity, guardianship, legal separation, annulment, name changes, adoptions, and terminating parental rights. The Objection to Court Master’s Recommendation (PDF) is available locally for District Court family proceedings.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are maintained by the District Court Clerk at 73 North Maine Street, Suite B, Fallon, NV 89406. Requests for certified copies follow the same fee schedule as other court records: $0.50 per page plus $3.00 for certification. For statewide verification of divorce events occurring between 1968 and September 2005, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) provides a search service for a $10.00 fee per name searched. For certified copies of divorce records, contact the Churchill County District Court directly:
Churchill County Divorce Records
73 North Maine Street, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: (775) 423-6080
Marriage Licenses and Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Churchill County Clerk/Treasurer’s Office by appointment only, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Both parties must appear in person with a photo ID. The license fee is $100.00, payable by cash, credit/debit card, money order, or traveler’s check. There is no waiting period; the license is valid for one year statewide. Couples may submit a pre-application online before their appointment. Marriage ceremonies can be arranged at the Justice of the Peace’s office at (775) 423-2845.
Certified copies of marriage certificates are maintained by the Churchill County Recorder’s Office.
Churchill County Recorder’s Office
Address: 155 N Taylor Street, Suite 131, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: (775) 423-6001 | Fax: (775) 423-8933
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
For marriage events statewide, the DPBH Marriage and Divorce Records portal can verify records from 1968–2005 at $10.00 per name.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records after July 1, 1911 and death records are maintained by the Nevada DPBH Office of Vital Records. The Recorder’s Office holds records predating 1911. Birth certificates are restricted for 100 years from the date of birth; access is limited to the registrant, parents, legal guardians, descendants, and authorized legal representatives. Death certificates are similarly restricted to immediate family members and those with a legal need. Certified birth and death certificates cost $25.00 each from the DPBH. The DPBH Office of Vital Records is located at:
Nevada DPBH — Office of Vital Records
Address: 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104, Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-4242
Email: vitalrecords@health.nv.gov
Birth and death records requests can also be submitted through the DPBH Birth and Death Vital Records page.
Churchill County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Churchill County belongs entirely to the Tenth Judicial District Court. The District Court’s Probate Division handles estate administration, will filings, guardianships, conservatorships, trust proceedings, and adoption matters. Probate records are generally public and accessible through the District Court Clerk’s office.
Types of Probate Proceedings
- Formal and informal estate administration (testate and intestate)
- Will filings and will contests
- Guardianship and conservatorship appointments
- Trust administration
- Mental commitment proceedings
- Adoptions
- Extraordinary writs
Small Estate Affidavit
For estates with a personal property value of less than $20,000, Churchill County provides a Probate Affidavit of Entitlement (PDF) that allows heirs to claim assets without formal probate. This affidavit is not filed with the court but serves as a practical tool for small estate transfers.
Requesting Probate Records
- Download and complete the Request for Court Records / JAVS Recording Form.
- Include the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death or case filing, and case number if available.
- Submit the form by email, mail, or in person to the District Court Clerk at 73 North Maine Street, Suite B, Fallon, NV 89406.
- Include payment by money order or cashier’s check: $0.50 per name per year (search fee), $0.50 per page (copies), and $3.00 per document for certification.
- Court staff will respond within five business days.
For self-represented parties navigating probate or guardianship filings, the Nevada Self-Help Center and the District Court’s Forms for Pro Se Litigants page provide additional resources. Note that in accordance with NRS 7.285, court staff cannot provide legal advice; parties with complex estate matters are encouraged to consult a licensed Nevada attorney.