Dodge County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dodge County?

Public records in Dodge County, Nebraska, are defined under Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712.01 as all records and documents, regardless of physical form, that are created, maintained, or received by a public body in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these records subject to the exemptions established by state law.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Dodge County offices and state agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Dodge County Court within the Nebraska Judicial Branch.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded through the County Clerk and County Assessor's offices.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates occurring in Nebraska are preserved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records.
Business records — Trade name registrations, business licenses, and permits are filed with the County Clerk.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are accessible through the County Assessor and County Treasurer.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the County Clerk's Elections Division.
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Board of Commissioners minutes, agendas, and resolutions are kept by the Dodge County Clerk.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are available through the County Clerk and County Treasurer.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are held by the Dodge County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Dodge County an Open Records County?

Dodge County fully complies with Nebraska's public records statutes, which establish a broad right of public access to government documents. Under Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712, all public records of the state, any county, city, village, or other political subdivision shall be open to inspection by any citizen of Nebraska during regular business hours. This provision reflects Nebraska's longstanding commitment to government transparency and open governance.

Key provisions of the Nebraska Public Records Act include:

Public bodies must make records available for inspection during regular office hours.
Agencies must respond to records requests within four business days of receipt.
Custodians of records may not require a requester to state the purpose of the request for most record types.
Fees for copies must be reasonable and may not be used as a barrier to access.

Dodge County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state statute. All county offices operate in compliance with Nebraska's sunshine laws, including the Open Meetings Act codified at Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1408, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that agendas and minutes be made available.

How to Find Public Records in Dodge County in 2026

Members of the public may access Dodge County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process for obtaining records:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county or state agency maintains the record. Court records are held by the Dodge County Court; property and election records are held by the County Clerk; vital records are obtained through the Nebraska DHHS Office of Vital Records.
Submit a written or in-person request. Most offices accept requests in person during public counter hours, by mail, or by email. Written requests should identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow the custodian to locate it.
Access online portals where available. Property parcel data and assessment information are currently searchable through the Nebraska Department of Revenue's county assessors and parcel search tool. Criminal history records may be requested through the Nebraska State Patrol's criminal history record request portal.
Visit the appropriate office in person. Members of the public may inspect records without charge during regular business hours at the relevant county office.
Pay applicable fees. Upon approval, requesters may be required to pay copying or certification fees before records are released.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dodge County?

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Dodge County, consistent with the fee schedule authorized under Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712. Current fees vary by office and record type:

Standard paper copies: Typically $0.25 per page for black-and-white reproductions at most county offices.
Certified copies of vital records: The Nebraska DHHS Office of Vital Records charges a standard fee per certified copy of birth, death, marriage, or divorce records; current fee schedules are posted on the agency's website.
Court record copies: The Dodge County Court assesses per-page fees for printed copies of case documents, with additional fees for certified copies.
Criminal history records: The Nebraska State Patrol charges a processing fee per RAP sheet request, payable at the time of submission.
Property record copies: Fees for deed and mortgage copies are set by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests made in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does Dodge County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours, pursuant to Nebraska's open records statutes. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Dodge County Clerk's office, County Assessor's office, and Dodge County Court during posted public counter hours.
Online property and parcel data is freely accessible through the Nebraska Department of Revenue's parcel search tool, which includes assessment and ownership information for Dodge County properties.
Court case information may be searched at no cost through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's online case search system.
Vital records information and ordering instructions are available without charge through the Nebraska DHHS Office of Vital Records website.
Public notices and county board minutes are posted at no cost on the Dodge County Clerk's official website.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dodge County?

Any person may request public records in Dodge County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Nebraska's public records law does not restrict access to state residents only, nor does it require requesters to provide identification or explain the reason for their request for most record types. Specific eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Non-residents of Nebraska retain the same right of access as Nebraska residents under current law.
Identification: Most offices do not require requesters to present identification for general public records inspections; however, certain sensitive records may require identity verification.
Purpose: Custodians may not condition access on the requester's stated purpose for standard public records.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own criminal history, vital records, or court records may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
Restrictions for specific record types: Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, adoption records, and certain law enforcement investigative materials is restricted by statute, regardless of who is requesting.

What Records Are Confidential in Dodge County?

Nebraska law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. The following records are currently withheld from general public access in Dodge County:

Sealed court records — Orders sealing case files are issued by the court and restrict public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Nebraska statute.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to protect investigative integrity.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Sealed by court order and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Nebraska DHHS.
Personnel records — Employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for salary and position information of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Withheld to protect public safety.

These exemptions are codified under Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712.05, which enumerates the categories of records that public bodies are authorized or required to withhold. When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, custodians are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Dodge County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Dodge County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of public records for the county, including official bonds, board minutes, election records, and recorded documents. The Register of Deeds function, which handles property instruments, is administered through the same office.

Dodge County Clerk / Register of Deeds 127 E. 2nd Street, Fremont, NE 68025 (402) 727-2767 Dodge County Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dodge County Court 428 N. Broad Street, Fremont, NE 68025 (402) 727-2767 Dodge County Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Vital Records 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68509 (402) 471-2871 Nebraska DHHS Vital Records

Nebraska State Patrol – Criminal History Records 1600 Highway 2, Lincoln, NE 68502 (402) 471-4545 Nebraska State Patrol Criminal History Record Requests

Dodge County Assessor 127 E. 2nd Street, Fremont, NE 68025 (402) 727-2750 County Assessors and Parcel Search Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.