What are Omaha Public Records?
In compliance with Nebraska's Public Records Law, Omaha public records include all data and information created, maintained, or otherwise used by government agencies in carrying out their official duties. Under the law, tax-supported districts that are not cities, villages, counties, or political subdivisions are also public agencies and must make their records public. The law describes these records as all documents and data regardless of physical form. This means that public records include printouts, discs, and tapes, as well as data maintained on electronic storage devices. However, note that the Nebraska Public Records Law provides that the following are confidential and not accessible by the general public:
- Medical records apart from birth and death records
- Trade secrets
- Unpublished academic and scientific research records
- Physical location of cyber assets, infrastructure, and identity of personnel with knowledge of infrastructure locations and utility
- Records of certain materials acquired from nongovernmental bodies solely for exhibition, research, or reference
Omaha Crime Statistics
The Omaha Police Department (OPD) provides statistics on crimes committed within the city through an annual report. Each report includes details on individual crimes, the number of arrests, and the number of cleared offenses. Numbers published in the OPD's 2019 report show that there were 20,027 crimes in the city. The number of larceny-theft cases was 12,307, the most common crime committed. With 23 cases, criminal homicide was the least common crime. Although not the most common crime, there were 3,537 arrests for misdemeanor assault, more than the 3,064 recorded arrests for larceny-theft.
70% of all criminal homicide cases were cleared, the highest rate of cleared offenses per crime. The OPD also cleared 13% of all burglary cases, the lowest rate of cleared cases in 2019.
Are Omaha Criminal Records Public?
Omaha criminal records are public records available to all interested persons from the Omaha Police Department. However, Nebraska law requires that the OPD redacts certain information from a public record, including:
- A record without charges filed by a prosecuting attorney after one year from the date of arrest
- A record without charges due to a completed diversion after two years from the date of arrest
- A record where the filed charges were eventually dismissed after acquittal, deferred judgment, completion of a program by a problem-solving court, or a motion presented by the prosecuting attorney
How to Obtain Omaha Police Reports and Arrest Records
The OPD provides all interested persons with access to public Omaha records, including police reports. Anyone may request a police report by phone, mail, or in person. All requesters are advised to wait at least five working days from when the report was made before sending in requests. All Omaha Police reports cost $5 each.
To request a report by phone, call (402) 444-5600 Persons may also send mail requests with all available details of the desired police report or arrest record using the following details:
Omaha Police Department
Central Police Headquarters
Attention: Records Manager
Omaha, NE 68102
Alternatively, visit the front desk of any Omaha Police Department precinct to make an in-person request.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Omaha
Anyone interested in finding Omaha sex offender information may use the statewide Sex Offender Registry. The registry allows searches to be conducted by name, region, and location. If the offender's name is not available, use the search by region option, select Douglas from the county menu, and input Omaha. Interested persons may also provide a zip code if available. The location search allows the searching party to provide a street address in Omaha. In addition, searchers may extend the search radius up to 3 miles of the provided street.
How to Find Omaha Inmate Records
The Douglas County Department of Corrections (DCDC) maintains records of persons incarcerated in the county. Using the DCDC's inmate locator, search for records by the inmate's first name, last name, or data number if available. The search result shows each inmate's full name, admission date and time, gender, age, race, height and weight, possible fines, and projected release date. Booking photographs are not available on the DCDC's inmate locator.
Statewide records of inmates in the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC), and other parts of Nebraska, are provided by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The DCS allows interested persons to find inmates through its searchable inmate information locator, by providing the inmate's last name or DCS ID number. Requestors may also use the inmate's first name. The database contains information on each inmate, including a full name, gender, date of birth, race, and the current facility where the inmate is. The DCS' results also show each inmate's total sentence, the date the sentence commenced, projected release date, and parole eligibility date. Offense information is also available with a description of each charge, offense term, and county of commitment.
How Do I Visit an inmate in the Omaha Correctional Center?
Only persons on approved visitor lists may visit inmates at the Omaha Correctional Center. All visitors must schedule visits at least seven days before the proposed visitation date. Each visitor will receive an email notification of approval at least three days before the date. Visitation requests are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
All visitors must be at least 18 years old. Two adults may simultaneously visit an inmate if each person fills the online scheduling form and includes the other person's name as a second visitor. Both persons must be on the inmate's approved list of visitors and must request the same visiting date and time. More than two persons may not visit an inmate at a time. Also, each inmate is only allowed one visit per month. Regardless of eligibility, visitors may be denied access for reasons including the following:
- Refusal to present appropriate identification
- Refusal to submit to a search
- Possession of contraband
- Visitor appears to be under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other substances
- Visitor is accompanied by an unruly or disruptive child
- Visitor is without appropriate visiting attire
- Poor sanitation or hygiene
- False identification
- Any circumstance considered a threat to the security of the OCC
The Omaha Correctional Center allows inmates to receive visitors on all days, except Mondays and Tuesdays. The OCC's visiting schedule provides more information on the center's visitation schedule. Visit or contact the OCC at:
Omaha Correctional Center
2323 Avenue J
Omaha, NE 68110-0099
Phone: (401) 595-3963
Mailing Address:
Omaha Correctional Center
P.O. Box 11099
Omaha, NE 68110-2766
Court Records
Omaha city seats the Douglas County District Court, County Court, and Juvenile Courts. The District Court usually hears cases beyond the jurisdiction of the other courts. However, it may exercise general jurisdiction over all cases, including criminal and civil matters. The Douglas County District Court hears a wide range of matters, including felonies, domestic relations, and general civil claims worth more than $53,000. The court's financial limit on civil cases is reviewed in five-year intervals.
The County Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and may handle certain criminal and civil cases, including juvenile, probate, general civil claims, and domestic relations matters. The court may also hear criminal infractions, misdemeanors, and many village and city ordinance violations. The County Court exercises jurisdiction over general civil claims worth $53,000 or less
Matters concerning juveniles, including domestic relations, custody, and support, are handled by the Juvenile Court. The courts are located at:
Douglas County District Court
Hall of Justice
1701 Farnam Street
5th Floor
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-7004
Douglas County Court
Hall of Justice
1701 Farnam Street
2nd Floor
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-6387
Douglas County Juvenile Court
1701 Farnam Street
Room 600
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-7121
Are Omaha Court Records Public?
All persons may gain access to court records. However, the general public may not access sealed court records or records otherwise exempt from public disclosure under a Nebraska statute.
Can you look up an Omaha court case online?
The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides online access to court records through the JUSTICE court case search system. The platform contains court records on civil, criminal, probate, traffic, and juvenile cases filed in all District and County Courts in Nebraska. The information available on each case includes case details, such as the charges, trial date, court disposition, names of defendants and plaintiffs, name of the judge, and attorneys' names. The JUSTICE system also provides court cost details, payment information, and a register of actions.
Note: Cases inputted into the system may not show up on search results until after 24 hours. Each search costs $15, whether or not queries return results. Fees are payable using cards from Mastercard or Visa.
How to Obtain Omaha Court Case Records
The Douglas County Clerk of the District Court provides access to court records at any Omaha court through its Records Department. Accessible information includes docket and page numbers, filings, dismissals, judgments, decrees, and case captions. Interested persons may also access certified copies of court records by sending written requests to the clerk. The written request should also contain the requestor's contact details. Mail a written request or visit the clerk at:
Clerk of the District Court
1701 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-7613 (certified copy requests)
Phone: (402) 444-7619)
What are Omaha Vital Records?
Omaha vital records contain details of live events that happened within the city. Vital records consist of marriage licenses, marriage certificates, divorce records, and birth certificates. In accordance with Nebraska law, Omaha vital records are not open to members of the general public. Access is restricted to the persons named on the records and their immediate family members, attorneys, or legal representatives. Note that while Nebraska required all counties to record vital events starting from 1909, some older Douglas County records may be available.
Where and How to Obtain Omaha Divorce Records
The Clerk of the Douglas County District Court maintains records for divorces in the county. After a judge passes a final judgment on a divorce case, the divorce decree is filed with the Clerk of the District Court. Eligible persons may obtain copies of Omaha divorce records by contacting the clerk with information on the divorce. The requestor should state the names of the parties involved, the final judgment date, reason for the request, and other available details. If the requestor is not the divorced party, the person must also state their relationship to the divorced party. Send the written request with a valid government-issued photo ID or visit the clerk with the ID:
Clerk of the District Court
1701 Farnam Street
Room 300
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-7018
Where and How to Obtain Public Omaha Marriage Records
Members of the general public may access public records for all marriage licenses issued in the city of Omaha and Douglas County. The Douglas County District Court Clerk provides an online marriage license search. The database shows the full names of the couples, the application date, marriage date, and license number. Omaha marriage records available online are for marriages issued since 1988. However, not all Douglas County marriage licenses issued since 1988 are available online. Interested parties may call (402) 444-6080 or send emails for more information on missing licenses.
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Omaha Marriage Records
Eligible persons may request certified copies of Omaha marriage records from the Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller. For access, send a written request or visit the clerk. Ensure that the request contains all available information on the marriage record requested. Send the request with a copy of a valid government-issued ID to the clerk. Interested persons may also visit the clerk at:
Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller
Omaha-Douglas Civic Center
1819 Farnam Street, Harney Level
Room H08
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-6767
Hours: Weekdays, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Alternatively, requestors may complete and download a marriage license application to request physical copies. Each certified copy costs $9 while non-certified copies cost 25 cents each. Submit the completed form to the Clerk of the District Court, with cash, money order, or check for the applicable fee. Checks and money orders should be payable to Douglas County Clerk.
Where and How to Find Omaha Birth Records
The Douglas County Health Department provides copies of birth certificates for persons born anywhere in the county. Omaha birth records are only accessible by the named person, parents, spouses, or children. Records are available via mail or in-person requests. For a mail request, download and complete a birth certificate application form with the person's full name, date and place of birth, parents' names, and the reason for the request. The form also requires the requestor's contact details. Send the completed form, a copy of the requestor's current government-issued photo ID, and a stamped and self-addressed business-sized envelope. Include payment by check or money order for $17 per copy. Send the documents to the Douglas County Health Department or visit at
Douglas County Health Department
Civic Center
Room H01
1819 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-7204
Where and How to Find Omaha Death Records
Omaha death records may be requested from the Douglas County Health Department for all persons who died in the city of Omaha or anywhere else in the county. Certified copies of death certificates are only available to the informant on record; and the children, spouse, or parents of the deceased person. Eligible persons may request by mail or in person. To order by mail, download and complete the death certificate application form. Complete the form with the name of the deceased, place and date of death, the person's last address, the name of the funeral home, and a reason for the request. Each record costs $16, payable by check or money order. Send the completed form with the preferred payment method and a self-addressed and stamped business-sized envelope to the Douglas County Health Department.
