Nebraska ranks 11th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#20of 51
Speed#11of 51
Ease of ordering#2of 51
Birth certificates #11 of 51
Cost
$17 first copy, $17 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: at least 7 days, then 4–6 weeks to receive; mail: at least 15 days (1–2 days with a prepaid express envelope); in person: walk-in at the Lincoln office, at least 30 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from 1904
Marriage records #11 of 51
Cost
$16 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: at least 7 days, then 4–6 weeks to receive; mail: at least 15 days (1–2 days with a prepaid express envelope); in person: walk-in at the Lincoln office, at least 30 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from 1909; earlier records from the county
Divorce records #10 of 51
Cost
$16 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: at least 7 days, then 4–6 weeks to receive; mail: at least 15 days (1–2 days with a prepaid express envelope); in person: walk-in at the Lincoln office, at least 30 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (divorce certificate) or the Clerk of the District Court (full decree)
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from January 1909; full decrees from the Clerk of the District Court
Death certificates #10 of 51
Cost
$16 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: at least 7 days, then 4–6 weeks to receive; mail: at least 15 days (1–2 days with a prepaid express envelope); in person: walk-in at the Lincoln office, at least 30 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from 1904
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Nebraska birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Nebraska birth certificate?
A certified Nebraska birth certificate costs $17 per copy from Nebraska DHHS Vital Records in Lincoln. The fastest way is to walk in at the Nebraska State Office Building (about 30 minutes or more). You can also order through the state’s own online site (allow 4–6 weeks to receive) or by mail. Mail orders sent with a prepaid express envelope are processed in 1–2 days.
Nebraska birth records: ordering details
Who can order
Requests must meet Nebraska’s “proper purpose” rules (174 NAC 3). You can order your own record. If your name isn’t on the certificate, you must show proof of relationship; for a parent’s birth record, for example, send your own birth certificate. Any record can be released for genealogy with documents showing the person has been deceased at least 50 years.
Fee
$17 per copy, any order method. The search fee is kept if no record is found or proper purpose isn’t met. Extras: for faster mail service, include your own prepaid USPS Priority/Express, FedEx or UPS return envelope. The online site doesn’t offer expedited shipping. A no-fee copy is available for someone who needs a state ID to vote; see DHHS for details.
How to order
Walk in: Vital Records, Nebraska State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln. Online: the state’s Nebraska Vital Records certificate request site (Visa or MasterCard). By mail: the Birth Certificate Application, a photocopy of your ID and a $17 check or money order payable to “Vital Records” (no credit cards) to Nebraska Vital Records, P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065. Faxed and emailed applications aren’t accepted.
ID needed
A current government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military, tribal or VA ID, and others), or one document from List A plus one from List B on DHHS’s ID list. Expired documents aren’t accepted. Send a photocopy by mail.
Processing time
Walk-in: minimum 30 minutes. Online: minimum 7 days in-office; allow 4–6 weeks to receive by mail. Regular mail: minimum 15 days in-office. Expedited mail (prepaid express envelope): 1–2 days in-office. Genealogy requests for historical records: up to 12 weeks. Estimate: regular mail orders usually arrive in about 3–5 weeks.
Older and local records
State birth records start in 1904. From 1904 to 1911, births were usually registered under the father’s name without the child’s name; birth certificates began in 1912. Some counties kept ledgers before 1904.
Tip: In a hurry and can’t get to Lincoln? Mail your request with a prepaid overnight return envelope; it’s processed in 1–2 days, faster than ordering online.
A certified Nebraska death certificate costs $16 per copy from Nebraska DHHS Vital Records. DHHS says you may get a death certificate only for your spouse, parent or child, with proof of relationship. Order by walk-in in Lincoln, online through the state site, or by mail.
Nebraska death records: ordering details
Who can order
Your spouse, parent or child, with proof of relationship (for a parent, your own birth certificate; for a spouse, your marriage record). For other requests, call 402-471-2871. Records can be released for genealogy when the person has been deceased at least 50 years.
Fee
$16 per copy. The search fee is kept if no record is found. Extras: your own prepaid express return envelope for expedited mail service.
A current government-issued photo ID, or one List A plus one List B document.
Processing time
Walk-in: minimum 30 minutes. Online: allow 4–6 weeks to receive. Regular mail: minimum 15 days in-office; expedited mail 1–2 days.
Older and local records
State death records start in 1904. Some counties kept ledgers earlier. If the death is still under investigation, an Abstract of Death is issued instead, and that order can’t be refunded or exchanged.
Tip: Ordering for a parent? Include a copy of your own birth certificate to show the relationship.
A certified Nebraska marriage certificate costs $16 per copy from Nebraska DHHS Vital Records, which holds marriages from 1909 on. You may get one for yourself or your parents. Order by walk-in in Lincoln, online through the state site, or by mail.
Nebraska marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Either spouse, or their child with proof (your own birth certificate). Genealogy requests are allowed when the person has been deceased at least 50 years.
Fee
$16 per copy.
How to order
Walk in: 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln. Online:Nebraska Vital Records certificate request site. By mail: the Marriage Certificate Application (list the county where the license was issued), an ID photocopy and a $16 check or money order payable to “Vital Records” to P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065.
ID needed
A current government-issued photo ID, or one List A plus one List B document.
Processing time
Walk-in: minimum 30 minutes. Online: allow 4–6 weeks to receive. Regular mail: minimum 15 days in-office; expedited mail 1–2 days.
Older records
State marriage records start in 1909. For earlier marriages, contact the county where the license was filed or the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Tip: Know the county where the license was issued; it’s required on the application and speeds up the search.
Nebraska DHHS Vital Records issues a certified divorce (dissolution) certificate for $16 per copy for divorces from 1909 on. You may get one for yourself or your parents. The full divorce decree is a court record held by the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
Nebraska divorce records: ordering details
Certificate vs. decree
Dissolution certificate: from DHHS Vital Records, $16. Divorce decree: contact the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
Who can order
Either former spouse, or their child with proof (your own birth certificate).
Fee
State certificate: $16 per copy. Court decree: contact the Clerk of the District Court.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Nebraska records people search for
Official Nebraska sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official Nebraska sites for other records
Court case lookup
JUSTICE case information Case search results list at no charge; case details carry a per-case fee.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Nebraska public records
Certificate Information
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services houses the Division of Vital Records. All counties sent all death, birth
marriage and divorce events to the state to be maintained and archived. Certificates are available by mail, online or in person.
Each search costs $12 dollars for birth certificates, $11 dollars for death records and includes one certified copy. The
oldest records available from this department is 1904.
The DHHS Office of Vital Records
1033 O Street, Suite 130
Lincoln, NE
• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
Marriage and divorce records are available from 1909 and cost $11 dollars for a search. Records older than 1909 should look at
the county office of where the record was filed or with the state archives department.
• Marriage Certificates
• Divorce Certificates
Adoption Records
Nebraska born adult age adoptees can request adoption records with a written request and a completed
"Request to Access birth Information" form.
Division of Children & Family Services
Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
(402) 471-9254
Property Records
County Assessor's manage online databases and applications to view parcel record information. Search for property information,
tax valuations, and land use history.
