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Public Records

A Nevada State Record is..NRS 239.005(6) “Official state record” includes, without limitation: Papers, unpublished books, maps and photographs; Information stored on magnetic tape or computer, laser or optical disc; Materials that are capable of being read by a machine, including, without limitation, microforms and audio and visual materials; and Materials that are made or received by a state agency and preserved by that agency or its successor as evidence of the organization, operation, policy or any other activity of that agency or because of the information contained in the material.

The records described in NRS 239.005(6) are open for public inspection unless otherwise declared confidential by law. 

To request access to recent or current public records, please contact the specific State agency that created the records and complete a public records request form with that agency.

To request access to historical state records held by the State Archives, in most cases it is not necessary to make a formal public records request. The State Archives holds records of historical value once they no long serve a business purpose for the respective agency.  Please request records from the State Archives online via Ask an Archivist or by calling 775-684-3310.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Public Records

Answers to the most frequent public records questions.

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Where Do I Find Public Records

A listing of the most frequently requested public records and where to find them.  

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Nevada Public Records Act

Resources to better understand the Nevada Public Records Act and its history. 

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     Frequently Asked Questions About Public Records

 

 

 

Are all state records public records?  

According to Nevada's Public Records Act "The presumption is, all agency records are open to public inspection and copying, unless they are specifically declared by law to be confidential."  Confidential records often include personally identifiable information (PII), which is information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity.

For more information see: Nevada Public Records Act: A Manual for State Agencies

How do I access public records?

To request access to recent or current public records, please contact the specific State agency that created the records and complete a public records request form with that agency.

To request access to historical state records held by the State Archives, in most cases it is not necessary to make a formal public records request. The State Archives holds records of historical value once they no long serve a business purpose for the respective agency.  Please request records from the State Archives online via Ask an Archivist or by calling 775-684-3310.

Each public agency must adopt a policy which conforms to NRS Chapter 239 and The Nevada Public Records Act Manual. Agency policies should include basic procedural requirements, such as identifying the public records official, outlining the agency’s response process, and the agency’s fee structure.  The following information shall be posted on each agencies website, if they maintain a website:

When an agency receives a public records request, it shall be the policy of the agency to comply with all such requests for copies of information by members of the public, media, or state and federal government officials. Per NRS Chapter 239, all such requests shall be handled as expeditiously as possible.

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    Where do I find public records?

 

 

 

Public records are primarily held and managed by the local and state agencies that create them. Below please find sources for some frequently requested types of Nevada government records.  

Where do I find...

Birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and other vital records:

Office of Vital Statistics, Department of Health and Human Services: Marriage and Divorce records are held by the county where they were filed. For certified copies of marriage certificates, contact the County Recorder where the marriage license was purchased. For copies of divorce records, contact the County Clerk where the divorce was granted. See https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/businesses/apostille/nevada-clerks-recorders for county recorder contact information.

Census records: https://nsla.nv.gov/state-data-center#2020 and https://www.census.gov/

Compensation claims and benefits for workers: 

Corporation and business entity records:

Government spending reports: https://budget.nv.gov/StateBudget/

Legislative meeting minutes: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Research/Library/LegHistory/Minutes/index.html and https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Site/Search/search.cfm  

Property records:

For Deeds, Mortgages or other property related records, consult the County Recorder of the county where the transaction occurred. See https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/businesses/apostille/nevada-clerks-recorders for county recorder contact information.

Veteran's records: http://veterans.nv.gov

Voter registration and election records: https://www.nvsos.gov/sosvoterservices/registration/Step0.aspx