Washoe County, Nevada Court Records
In Washoe County, court records reveal information on case proceedings and judicial administrative processes. Such records may include the case party's personal information, docket entries, exhibits, and orders.
Washoe County court records are under the purview of the court that handled the case. For example, the county's district court maintains records of criminal, civil, and family-type cases. Thus, record seekers may obtain the records by using resources provided by the district court.
Court records in Washoe County mostly include related information that was filed during case proceedings. For example, criminal case records may include arrest data and inmate information, while family-type records may include vital records, such as birth and death certificates.
Are Washoe County Court Records Public?
In Washoe County, court records mostly contain public information. Under the Nevada Supreme Court Rules, the public may inspect or make requests for court documents in the custody of designated agencies. These agencies are legally required to maintain resources via which the public may obtain records. For example, the Second Judicial District Court hosts an online search platform for case files heard in the county.
The state laws may restrict unauthorized persons from accessing certain information in court records. Such information, if disclosed, may compromise the safety and privacy of concerned parties. Examples of non-public court records include the following:
- Case files and reports concerning adoption and guardianship cases.
- Court-related data about juvenile offenders.
- Information that is protected under the attorney-client confidentiality clause.
- Mental health and medical reports filed in case proceedings.
- Personal identifying details of security-vulnerable parties, such as crime victims and undercover officers.
- Information that may interfere with an ongoing prosecution.
- Transcripts and unreturned indictments from grand jury proceedings.
What Information is Available in Washoe County Court Records?
Washoe County court records generally reveal these details:
- Personal information of case parties.
- Case identifiers, such as case number, docket number, and filing date.
- Information on the case parties' legal representatives.
- Judicial decisions, including orders and motions.
- Case minutes and transcripts.
- Pleadings, motions, and petitions.
- Documents filed in relation to the case proceeding.
Washoe County Court Records Search
Record seekers may search court records in Washoe County by using options provided by designated agencies. These options may include the following:
Online Access
Record seekers may search court records using an online database maintained by the county courts. The courts only maintain online searches for cases under their jurisdiction. For example, the Washoe County Second District Court maintains an online searchable platform for case files. Record seekers may view relevant information by following these steps:
- Visit the district court's search platform.
- Select a preferred search option: Case Search, Calendar, or Attorney Search.
- Input relevant data on the allocated search field on the subsequent page.
- Click on "Search" to generate relevant data.
In-Person Access
To obtain court records in-person, record seekers must visit the court that handled the case. The court may process in-person requests during official hours. For example, you may obtain criminal case records by visiting the district court during official hours at this address:
General Jurisdiction
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 328-3110
Family Division
One South Sierra Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 328-3110
Mail and Phone Requests
Washoe County courts may allow mail-in requests for court records. For example, record seekers may submit a mail request to the second judicial district court by using these steps:
- Get the case number from the court's online search platform.
- Complete the request form for a court record.
- Attach the required fees.
- Send the documents in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to this address:
Second Judicial District Court
Attn: Mail Desk
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
Fees for Court Records in Washoe County
Washoe County courts may charge fees before retrieving and copying out requested documents. The fees may differ based on the court clerk handling the request or the document format.
For instance, district court charges $0.50 per photocopy of a court document. However, it costs $3 per certified copy, while certified divorce decrees cost $6 per copy.
Washoe County Courthouse Locations
Washoe County's trial court system consists of the District Courts, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. Interested parties may find the courts at these addresses:
District Courts in Washoe County
Washoe County District Court - Family Division
1 South Sierra Street
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: (775) 328-3110
Washoe County District Court - General Jurisdiction
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: (775) 328-3110
Justice Courts in Washoe County
Incline Village - Crystal Bay Justice Court
865 Tahoe Boulevard
Suite 301
Incline Village, NV 89451
Phone: (775) 832-4100
Fax: (775) 832-4162
Reno Township Justice Court
1 South Sierra Street
PO Box 11130
Reno, NV 89520
Phone: (775) 325-6500
Fax: (775) 325-6510
Sparks Township Justice Court
1675 East Prater Way
Suite 107
Sparks, NV 89434
Phone: (775) 353-7603 (Civil)
Fax: (775) 352-3004 (Criminal)
Phone: (775) 353-7600 (Criminal)
Fax: (775) 352-3004 (Criminal)
Wadsworth Township Justice Court
390 West Main Street
PO Box 68
Wadsworth, NV 89442
Phone: (775) 575-4585
Fax: (775) 575-0253
Municipal Courts in Washoe County
Reno Municipal Court
1 South Sierra Street
PO Box 1900
Reno, NV 89505
Phone: (775) 334-2290
Fax: (775) 334-3824
Sparks Municipal Court
1450 C Street
Sparks, NV 89431
Phone: (775) 353-2286
Fax: (775) 353-2400
Criminal Records Access in Washoe County
The Nevada Department of Public Safety handles all public requests for criminal record in Washoe County. As the official record custodian, the agency discloses criminal history records to the record subject and eligible entities. Eligible parties must fill out an online form or submit a completed request form to the agency. Upon receiving the form, the agency may process and forward the document to the record subject's mailing address.
Alternatively, record seekers may find criminal history records in the custody of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. To obtain records, applicants may follow these steps:
- Print and complete the Criminal History Request Form.
- Attach a $10 fee as a money order or check made payable to the sheriff's office.
- Include a copy of a government-issued ID.
- Submit the documents to this address:
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Records Section
911 Parr Boulevard
Reno, NV 89512
Note that criminal history files are not the same as local criminal records. The former reveals information about an offender's criminal history, while local case records reveal court activities regarding a criminal offense. Record seekers may look up criminal case records at the court that handled the case. The courts may offer online or offline access to the records.
Washoe County Family Court Records
The Washoe County District Court, via the Family Division, oversees all family-type cases in the county. Family-type cases under the court's jurisdiction include divorce, juvenile delinquency, child custody, and termination of parental rights.
Record seekers may access such records by using online or offline resources provided by the district court. For online access, record seekers must provide relevant data on the court's searchable database. However, record seekers may use the offline option to obtain confidential family court records. The district court allows offline requests for certified copies of family court records at this address:
Washoe County District Court - Family Division
1 South Sierra Street
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: (775) 328-3110
The court may charge fees and request a valid ID before disclosing certified records. It costs $3 to obtain a certified document, while certified decrees are $6 per copy.
Federal Court Records in Washoe County
In Washoe County, federal court records are official files generated during federal case proceedings. Examples of federal cases include bankruptcy, civil rights violations, and patent/copyright issues.
Interested parties may access federal court records by using online or offline resources provided by the federal court. The United States District Court for the District of Nevada is the official record custodian of federal cases. Record seekers may obtain records by visiting the agency at this address:
Bruce R. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building
400 South Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: (775) 686-5800
Alternatively, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) provides online access to Washoe County federal court records. Record seekers may view records on the platform by creating an account and filling in relevant information.