Washoe County Court Records
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Washoe County sits in northwestern Nevada, with Reno as the county seat. Its court system handles tens of thousands of cases every year across multiple tiers. The Second Judicial District Court is the general jurisdiction trial court, taking on everything from serious felonies and complex civil disputes to divorces and probate matters. Four justice courts — Reno Township, Sparks Township, Incline Village–Crystal Bay, and Wadsworth Township — cover misdemeanors, small claims, evictions, and preliminary hearings. Municipal courts in Reno and Sparks round out the system, focusing on city ordinance violations and traffic offenses.
If you're searching for court records in Nevada, you have several options at both the state and local level. Clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and online case search tools all let you locate case information. NevadaCourts.us can help you identify the right court, find self-help forms, and connect to county-specific online case search systems. The Second Judicial District Court and each of the justice and municipal courts also maintain their own search tools and filing offices.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Washoe County?
The method that works best depends on which court handled the case and what type of records you need.
Online Case Search Options
Each tier of the Washoe County court system has its own online search tool:
- Second Judicial District Court — The court's case inquiry database offers free searches of civil, criminal, family, and probate docket information. You can search by case number, party name, or other identifiers through the detailed case search page.
- Sparks Justice Court — The case search portal lets you look up civil and criminal cases filed in Sparks Township.
- Reno Justice Court — Case searches are available online. Call the court at (775) 325-6500 for access details.
- Reno Municipal Court — Registers of action and disposition information are available through the court's online records search tool at no cost.
In-Person Requests
If you need documents beyond what appears online, visit the filing office of the court that handled the case. Here are the main offices and their hours:
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Judicial District Court (General) | 75 Court Street, Reno, NV 89501 | (775) 328-3110 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Second Judicial District Court (Family) | 1 South Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89501 | (775) 328-3110 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Reno Justice Court | 1 South Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89520 | (775) 325-6500 | Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sparks Justice Court | 1675 E. Prater Way, Ste. 107, Sparks, NV 89434 | (775) 353-7600 | Mon–Thu, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Reno Municipal Court | 1 South Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89501 | (775) 334-2290 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sparks Municipal Court | 1450 C Street, Sparks, NV 89431 | (775) 353-2286 | Mon–Fri |
The District Court's Filing Office also accepts payments for fees, fines, and copies by phone at (775) 325-6731 during business hours, or online 24 hours a day.
Copy Fees at the District Court
Per the Second Judicial District Court fee schedule:
- Copies of any record, per page: $0.50
- Certification of a copy prepared by the clerk: $3.00
- Certification of a copy prepared by another: $5.00
- Search of records per year, per name: $0.50
- Record on flash drive: $90.00 minimum
- Family court hearing on flash drive: $25.00
Are Court Records Public in Washoe County?
Nevada law establishes a broad presumption that government records — including court documents — are open to the public. Under NRS Chapter 239, all public books and records of governmental entities must be available for inspection by anyone during office hours, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
That said, several categories of court records are exempt or restricted from public disclosure:
- Sealed records — Courts may order records sealed in certain criminal and civil cases. Once sealed, those records are not accessible to the general public.
- Expunged records — Criminal records that have been expunged are treated as if the underlying events never occurred.
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors are typically confidential.
- Adoption records — Finalized adoption case files are sealed by statute.
- Personal information of court personnel — Home addresses and personal contact details of judges and court staff are exempt.
- Records involving victims — Information that could identify victims of certain crimes may be restricted.
- Grand jury materials — Grand jury proceedings are secret under Nevada law.
When records are not exempt, the agency holding them must provide copies on request, though fees may apply. If you're denied access to records you believe should be public, you can petition the court under NRS 239.0115 for an order permitting inspection. The court can compel disclosure if the record doesn't fall within a recognized exemption.
Some courts may require a valid photo ID before releasing sensitive documents, even when those records are technically public. Online access is often more limited than in-person access — particularly for family court and probate matters, where case search portals may show only docket-level information.
Washoe County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Washoe County is divided among three court levels. The Second Judicial District Court handles felony trials and criminal appeals from lower courts. Justice courts conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases and process misdemeanor offenses. The municipal courts in Reno and Sparks handle city ordinance violations.
Searching Criminal Records at the District Court
Criminal docket information from the Second Judicial District Court can be searched through the court's online case inquiry system. Full case files — including charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing orders — may be reviewed in person at the clerk's office at 75 Court Street, Reno, NV 89501.
Filing a petition to seal criminal records at the District Court costs $255.00, per the court's current fee schedule. The Reno Justice Court also provides instructions for filing a petition to seal records at the justice court level.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Records, Communications, and Compliance Division, maintains statewide criminal history records. Two types of checks are available:
- Fingerprint-based check (available to the record subject):
- Complete and print the criminal record history check form
- Obtain fingerprints from a local law enforcement agency
- Enclose a $27.00 check or money order payable to the Nevada Department of Public Safety
- Mail to: Nevada Department of Public Safety, RCCD, 333 West Nye Lane #100, Carson City, Nevada 89706
- Name-based check (employers and volunteer organizations only):
- Submit a completed civil name check application with a copy of the organization's state business license and Federal Employer Identification Number
- Mail to: Nevada DPS, RCCD, ATTN: NCU, 2080 East Flamingo Road #118, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Additional Justice Court Locations
Criminal cases at the justice court level can also be looked up at these locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Incline Village–Crystal Bay Justice Court | 865 Tahoe Blvd., Ste. 301, Incline Village, NV 89451 | (775) 832-4100 |
| Wadsworth Township Justice Court | 390 West Main Street, Wadsworth, NV 89442 | (775) 575-4585 |
Washoe County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Washoe County are split between the Second Judicial District Court — which handles larger claims, injunctions, real property disputes, foreclosures, and business court matters — and the justice courts, which take on smaller disputes including evictions, small claims, and minor civil cases.
District Court Civil Filings
Selected civil filing fees from the current fee schedule include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil complaint | $255.00 |
| General first appearance / answer | $208.00 |
| Complex civil action | $505.00 |
| Business court case | $1,515.00 |
| Third-party complaint | $135.00 |
| Eviction by landlord (new filing) | $255.00 |
| Motion for summary judgment | $200.00 |
| Writ of attachment / execution | $10.00 |
| Each additional plaintiff or defendant | $30.00 each |
Civil records from the District Court can be searched through the case inquiry database or requested in person at the Filing Office, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Justice Court Civil Matters
The Sparks Justice Court handles small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and garnishments. Its case search page gives online access to case information, and e-filing is available through the court's e-file portal. The Reno Justice Court posts civil forms on its website, including packets for small claims filings.
Reno Municipal Court Records
The Reno Municipal Court keeps records following the Nevada Supreme Court Records Retention Schedule and NRS 239.110. Note that the court does not maintain records for cases adjudicated before 2013. For documents beyond what's available online, submit an online records request form. Fees must be paid by phone or in person before records are released. Government agencies should submit requests on official letterhead via email to renomunirecords@reno.gov.
Washoe County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Second Judicial District Court, located at 1 South Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89501, handles all domestic relations and juvenile matters in Washoe County. This includes divorces, annulments, custody and visitation disputes, child support enforcement, paternity actions, adoptions, guardianship of minors, termination of parental rights, emancipation petitions, and domestic violence protective orders.
Divorce Records
Filing a complaint or joint petition for divorce costs $284.00 at the District Court. An answer or first appearance in a divorce action costs $202.00. A motion to modify a final divorce decree costs $25.00 for the case reopening fee, plus an additional $129.00 if it is the first motion filed under a joint petition format.
Divorce records can be searched online through the District Court's case inquiry system. The court publishes a divorce packet and other family law forms, including motion forms for modification of child support (M-3), change of custody or visitation (M-4), and general motions (M-5). The Nevada Self-Help Center also offers free forms for self-represented litigants.
For questions about family law forms, contact the Resource Center at (775) 325-6731, or the Law Library at (775) 328-3250 or LawLibrary@washoecourts.us.
Custody and Child Support
Filing a petition to establish custody or visitation outside of a divorce case costs $255.00. Enforcement of a foreign custody or support order carries a filing fee of $255.00 (civil origin) or $284.00 (divorce origin). Guardianship of the person only has no filing fee; guardianship over an estate exceeding $2,500 costs $5.00.
Adoption Records
Filing an adoption proceeding costs $223.00. Adoptions of children with special needs and petitions for enforcement of post-adoptive contact orders carry no filing fee. Adoption records are sealed upon finalization and cannot be accessed by the general public.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Washoe County are issued by the Washoe County Clerk's Office. The application fee is $85.00, payable by cash, credit card, money order, or cashier's check. The Clerk's Office is located at 1001 East 9th Street, Building A, Suite 115, Reno, NV 89512, and can be reached at (775) 784-7287.
Existing marriage records can be searched through the Clerk's self-service web portal. Certified copies of marriage certificates are available through the Recorder's Office at $15.00 each; plain copies cost $1.00.
Nevada's Office of Vital Records can verify marriage and divorce events that occurred between 1969 and September 2005. Requests require a completed application and a $10.00 check or money order payable to the Office of Vital Records, mailed to: Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104, Carson City, Nevada 89706.
Birth and Death Records
Northern Nevada Public Health maintains birth and death records for events that occurred in Washoe County. Certified copies cost $25.00 each. Applicants must provide valid ID and proof of relationship to the record subject. Application forms are available in English and Spanish for birth records, and in English and Spanish for death records. Mail requests should be sent to:
Northern Nevada Public Health Vital Statistics
1001 East Ninth Street, Building B
Reno, NV 89512
Washoe County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Washoe County are handled by the Second Judicial District Court at 75 Court Street, Reno, NV 89501. The court processes petitions for letters testamentary and administration, will contests, trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and name changes.
Filing Fees for Probate Cases
Probate filing fees at the District Court are based on the stated value of the estate, per the current fee schedule:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $2,500 or less | No fee |
| $2,500.01 – $20,000 | $170.50 |
| $20,000.01 – $300,000 | $269.50 |
| $300,000.01 – $500,000 | $522.50 |
| Over $500,000 | $522.50 |
| Trust administration (complex action) | $505.00 |
| Contest of will, objection to appointment, or objection to settlement of account | $208.00 |
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through the District Court's online case inquiry database. Docket information, hearing dates, and filed orders are generally accessible online. Full case file documents — including wills, inventories, and accountings — may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate records follow the same fee structure as other District Court records: $0.50 per page for copies, $3.00 for certification of clerk-prepared copies, and $5.00 for certification of externally prepared copies. Requests can be made at the Filing Office during regular business hours or by calling (775) 325-6731.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Petitions for guardianship of the person carry no filing fee. Guardianship over an estate valued at more than $2,500 costs $5.00. Conservatorship matters follow the general probate filing fee structure based on estate value. These proceedings fall under Nevada's guardianship statutes and the Rules of Practice for the Second Judicial District Court.
Property Records
For real estate matters that come up in probate proceedings, the Washoe County Assessor's Office maintains a Real Property Assessment Data search portal. The Assessor's Office is located at 1001 East Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512, Phone: (775) 328-2003 Recorded property documents — including deeds transferred through estate proceedings — are available through the Recorder's Office, with document copies at $1.00 per page and certification at $4.00 per document.