I own a home in Nebraska
Homestead exemption, property taxes, deeds, and valuation notices.
NEBRASKA GUIDE
Life in Nebraska comes
with its own rules.
Know what comes next.
From the homestead exemption and County Court probate to plates at the Treasurer, tornado season, and starting a business, CountyOffices gives you clear Nebraska-specific guidance for the things that matter.
Reviewed against official Nebraska government sources • Updated as laws and requirements change
What brings you here today?
I own a home in Nebraska
Nebraska's Homestead Exemption offers real relief for qualifying seniors, disabled individuals, and disabled veterans - but unlike many states' one-time exemptions, you must reapply every single year, even after initial approval. Eligibility and the exact exemption amount depend on age or disability status, income, and your home's value, with applications due by June 30 through your county Assessor. This annual reapplication is a genuine trap for people used to "set it and forget it" exemptions elsewhere - missing a year's filing means losing that year's benefit even if your circumstances haven't changed. Deeds are recorded with the county Register of Deeds. If you're settling an estate or planning one, know that Nebraska is one of only six states that still charges an inheritance tax on heirs, with rates and exemptions depending on how closely related the beneficiary is to the deceased - a real consideration for estate planning that most states don't require.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue Property Assessment Division, county Assessor and Register of Deeds offices
I'm buying or selling property
Closings, title searches, deeds, recording fees, and property records.
I'm buying or selling property
Nebraska closings typically go through a title company, with deeds recorded by the county Register of Deeds. Nebraska charges a documentary stamp tax at recording, calculated per $1,000 of the sale price. A title search through the Register of Deeds' records confirms there are no outstanding liens before closing. Once you buy, if you qualify for the Homestead Exemption (65+, disabled, or a disabled veteran, with income and value limits), apply through the county Assessor by June 30 - and remember this is an annual filing in Nebraska, not a one-time application, so you'll need to reapply every year going forward regardless of whether your situation changes. If you're purchasing farm or ranch land, ask specifically about its current valuation status - qualifying agricultural land in Nebraska can be valued under "greenbelt" special use rules rather than market value, and that status doesn't necessarily carry over automatically without proper documentation at transfer.
Sources: county Register of Deeds and Assessor offices, Nebraska Dept. of Revenue
I'm preparing for storm season
Safe rooms, weather alerts, insurance documents, and county resources.
I'm preparing for storm season
Nebraska sits firmly within Tornado Alley, with risk peaking in spring through early summer, though severe weather can occur nearly any time of year. Before storms threaten, know whether your home or neighborhood has access to a safe room or community shelter, and know your county's specific weather alert system, since notification methods vary from county to county across Nebraska's 93 counties. After a tornado or severe storm, your county Assessor can reassess damaged property for the next valuation cycle, and the county Register of Deeds holds the property records you'll need for insurance and any FEMA claims if a federal disaster is declared. If you're rebuilding, check with your county or city building department about permit requirements before starting repairs.
Sources: Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, county Emergency Management offices
Someone passed away
County Court probate, wills, estates, and inheritance tax steps.
Someone passed away
Probate in Nebraska is filed with the County Court, not District Court - a distinct court level specific to each county, handling estates, wills, and guardianships. Nebraska follows the Uniform Probate Code, offering informal probate for straightforward, uncontested estates alongside formal probate for anything contested, plus a small estate affidavit process for modest estates under a statutory value threshold. The genuinely distinctive Nebraska issue is inheritance tax: Nebraska is one of only six states that still taxes heirs directly (separate from and in addition to any federal estate tax). Spouses are fully exempt. Immediate relatives (children, grandchildren, siblings, parents) owe 1% on amounts over a $100,000 exemption per beneficiary; more remote relatives (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews) owe 11% over a $40,000 exemption; and unrelated beneficiaries owe 15% over a $25,000 exemption. Beneficiaries 21 or younger are exempt regardless of relationship. This tax is paid to the county, not the state, and is calculated as part of the estate settlement process. Property records for real estate in the estate are held by the county Register of Deeds.
Sources: Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Dept. of Revenue, Nebraska Revised Statutes §77-2001 et seq.
I'm getting married or divorced
Marriage licenses, divorce filing, name changes, and official records.
I'm getting married or divorced
Marriage licenses in Nebraska are issued by the county Clerk - apply in any Nebraska county and use it to marry anywhere in the state - with no waiting period, so a license can be issued the same day you apply. Once issued, it's valid for one full year, longer than most states allow. Divorce (dissolution) is filed in District Court, not County Court (which handles probate instead), and Nebraska requires a full year of bona fide residency before filing - one of the longer residency requirements nationally - unless the marriage itself took place in Nebraska and a spouse has lived there continuously since. There's a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the other spouse is served before a decree can be finalized. Nebraska is a pure no-fault state, using only "irretrievably broken" as grounds. One distinctly strict Nebraska rule: after a divorce decree, you must wait a full six months before remarrying anyone other than your former spouse - violating this can void the new marriage and carries potential bigamy charges.
Sources: Nebraska Judicial Branch, county Clerk offices, Nebraska Revised Statutes §42
I own farm or ranch land
Greenbelt valuations, land records, county roads, and rural services.
I own farm or ranch land
Nebraska's "greenbelt" special valuation lets qualifying agricultural or horticultural land be assessed based on its farming or ranching use rather than market value - a genuine benefit for working operations near urban growth or areas facing development pressure. To qualify, land generally needs at least 5 contiguous acres, must sit outside city, village, or sanitary/improvement district boundaries, and must actually be in agricultural or horticultural use; smaller parcels of 5 acres or less need to show two years of farming profit or loss on IRS Schedule F. File Form 456 with your county Assessor by June 30 (some sources cite an August 1 deadline for related steps, so confirm the current date with your county). This isn't a permanent designation: if the land loses its qualifying status - most commonly through sale to a developer or actual conversion to non-agricultural use - the county can recapture the tax difference for up to three prior years plus 6% interest, so understand this obligation before assuming greenbelt status is a one-time, no-strings benefit. Land records and any conservation easements are recorded with the county Register of Deeds.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue Property Assessment Division, Nebraska Revised Statutes §77-1343 to §77-1380, county Assessor offices
I need an official record
Birth, death, marriage, court, property, and business records.
I need an official record
Birth and death certificates come from the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services' Vital Records office, though local health departments can also assist. Marriage records are held by the county Clerk where the license was issued. Property records - deeds, mortgages, liens - are recorded and searchable through the county Register of Deeds, generally free to search in person with a fee for certified copies. Court records for civil and criminal District Court cases come from the District Court Clerk; probate, estate, and guardianship records are held separately by the County Court, a distinct court level from District Court. Business entity records are filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State, searchable statewide. Vehicle registration, motor vehicle tax, and license plate records go through the county Treasurer. If you're researching an inheritance tax matter specifically, that's handled through the County Court as part of the probate process, since the tax is paid to the county rather than the state.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services, county Clerk, Register of Deeds, and County Court offices, Nebraska Secretary of State
I'm starting or running a business
Licenses, permits, EIN, sales tax, and local requirements.
I'm starting or running a business
Registering a business in Nebraska starts with the Secretary of State, where you file to form an LLC or corporation and register a trade name. From there, most businesses register with the Nebraska Dept. of Revenue for a sales tax permit if they'll sell taxable goods or services, and get an EIN from the IRS if they're not a sole proprietor with no employees. Local business licenses and zoning approval vary by county and city, so check both levels for your specific location. If you'll own commercial vehicles, remember Nebraska handles vehicle registration and motor vehicle tax through the county Treasurer, not a separate state DMV. Business real estate is assessed by your county Assessor the same way residential property is; if any of your business involves qualifying agricultural or horticultural land, ask specifically about Nebraska's greenbelt special valuation program, which can meaningfully lower the assessed value of genuinely working farm or ranch acreage.
Sources: Nebraska Secretary of State, Nebraska Dept. of Revenue, IRS
How-To Guides for Nebraska
How do I access court records?
Read guide →How do I appeal my property tax assessment?
Read guide →How do I find an inmate or search a jail roster?
Read guide →How do I find and access senior services?
Read guide →How do I get a business license?
Read guide →How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?
Read guide →How do I get a copy of a death certificate?
Read guide →How do I get a marriage license?
Read guide →How do I pay my property taxes?
Read guide →How do I register to vote or check my registration?
Read guide →How to Research Your Family History in Nebraska
Read guide →Nebraska Statewide Probate Guide
Read guide →Open Records
Read guide →Nebraska works differently. Here's what to know.
County Court Handles Probate
Estates, wills, and guardianships run through your county's County Court.
County Court Handles Probate
Nebraska splits its court system in a way that catches people off guard: District Court handles civil and criminal litigation, including divorce, while a separate County Court handles probate, estates, wills, and guardianships. Both exist in every Nebraska county, but they're distinct courts with distinct dockets and, often, distinct judges. This means that if you're settling an estate, you're filing with the County Court, not the District Court most people assume handles "court matters" broadly - an assumption that can lead to a filing being sent to the wrong court entirely if you're not aware of the split. Nebraska's inheritance tax, a genuinely unusual feature since only six states still have one, is also administered as part of the County Court probate process, calculated and paid to the county as the estate settles rather than handled as a separate state-level filing.
Sources: Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 30 (Probate)
Inheritance Tax Goes to the County
Nebraska is one of the few states where heirs may owe an inheritance tax, paid to the county.
Inheritance Tax Goes to the County
Nebraska is one of only six U.S. states that still charges an inheritance tax - a tax on the beneficiary receiving property, distinct from (and in addition to) any federal estate tax, and genuinely unusual since most states have eliminated this kind of tax entirely. Rates and exemptions depend on how closely related the beneficiary is to the deceased: spouses are always exempt; immediate relatives (children, grandchildren, siblings, parents) owe just 1% on amounts over a $100,000 exemption; more remote relatives (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews) owe 11% over a $40,000 exemption; and unrelated beneficiaries owe 15% over a $25,000 exemption - with beneficiaries 21 or younger exempt regardless of their relationship to the deceased. Nebraska raised these exemptions and lowered these rates significantly starting with deaths on or after January 1, 2023, a real recent change worth knowing if you researched this tax before that date. Unlike most states' inheritance-related taxes, this one is paid directly to the county, not the state, calculated as part of the County Court probate process rather than a separate state filing.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue, Nebraska Revised Statutes §77-2001 et seq.
Homestead Exemption Every Year
Qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners must reapply each year for relief.
Homestead Exemption Every Year
Unlike states where a homestead exemption, once granted, stays in effect indefinitely, Nebraska requires qualifying homeowners to reapply every single year. Eligibility covers seniors 65 and older, individuals with a qualifying disability, and disabled veterans (or their surviving spouses), with the actual exemption amount depending on age or disability category, household income, and the home's value. Apply through your county Assessor by June 30 each year - this isn't a formality; a genuinely new application, with current income documentation, is required annually, not just a renewal confirmation. This yearly requirement trips up people used to "set it and forget it" homestead exemptions elsewhere: missing the June 30 deadline in any given year means losing that year's benefit entirely, even if nothing about your eligibility has changed since the prior year's approval. Set a recurring reminder if you rely on this exemption, since there's no automatic carryover.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue Property Assessment Division, county Assessor offices
Plates at the County Treasurer
Vehicle registration and motor vehicle taxes run through your county Treasurer's office.
Plates at the County Treasurer
Vehicle registration, titling, and motor vehicle tax in Nebraska all run through the county Treasurer's office rather than a separate state DMV counter. Nebraska's motor vehicle tax works differently from a simple flat registration fee: it's calculated based on the vehicle's original taxable value and age, following a state-set depreciation schedule, with the resulting amount collected by the county Treasurer at the same time as registration renewal. Many counties also add a separate wheel tax, a flat local fee that funds county road maintenance, on top of the state motor vehicle tax - so your total renewal cost genuinely varies depending on which Nebraska county you're registered in, not just your vehicle's value and age. If you're renewing plates or paying motor vehicle tax, your county Treasurer, not a state office, is where all of this happens.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles, county Treasurer offices, Nebraska Revised Statutes §60-3,185
The Register of Deeds
Deeds and property records are filed with your county's Register of Deeds.
The Register of Deeds
Nebraska maintains a dedicated county office solely for real property records: the Register of Deeds, recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements - distinct from the county Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, and County Court, each of which handles a separate function elsewhere in county government. This gives Nebraska a genuinely focused real estate records office, unlike states where property recording gets folded into a broader Clerk's or Recorder's role covering multiple unrelated duties. If you're doing a title search, recording a deed, or researching property history in Nebraska, the Register of Deeds is specifically who to contact - not the county Clerk, who instead handles marriage licenses, elections, and general county business, or the County Court, which handles probate and any estate-related property transfers separately.
Sources: county Register of Deeds offices, Nebraska Association of County Officials
Greenbelt for Farm & Ranch Land
Qualifying agricultural land is valued below market on its special use classification.
Greenbelt for Farm & Ranch Land
Nebraska's "greenbelt" special valuation addresses the same challenge many farm states face: assessors must generally value land at its "actual value" - often meaning development or residential potential - even when the land is genuinely still being farmed. Greenbelt lets qualifying agricultural or horticultural land (at least 5 contiguous acres, located outside city, village, or sanitary/improvement district boundaries) be assessed on its use as farm or ranch land instead. Apply through your county Assessor by June 30 with Form 456. The tradeoff is real: if the land loses its qualifying status - commonly through sale to a developer or actual conversion away from agricultural use - the county can recapture the tax difference for up to three prior years plus 6% interest, so greenbelt status isn't a costless, no-strings benefit if your land use plans might change. A 2024 Nebraska Supreme Court case (Fountain II v. Douglas County) reaffirmed that land actively farmed still qualifies for greenbelt even while a developer works through permitting for future development - a meaningful protection for landowners caught in a multi-year transition.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue Property Assessment Division, Nebraska Revised Statutes §77-1343 to §77-1380, Nebraska Supreme Court
The questions Nebraska residents actually ask
Nebraska county records online availability varies considerably by county size and location. Douglas County, Lancaster County, and other larger eastern counties offer robust online deed and property searching through Register of Deeds websites or the statewide land records portal. The Nebraska Judicial Branch JUSTICE system provides statewide court case information for both District and County Courts. The Nebraska Secretary of State provides free online business entity searching. Vital records require ordering through the Nebraska Vital Records Division. For Nebraska county records not available online, the public records law at Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 84-712 provides a four-business-day response framework.
Nebraska birth and death certificates from 1904 onward are maintained by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Division in Lincoln. Certified copies can be ordered online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Lincoln office. Birth records are restricted to the individual named, immediate family members, and legal representatives. Pre-1904 births and deaths are found in county registers, church records, and territorial census materials held by the Nebraska State Historical Society. Some Nebraska county records for births before 1904 survive in county registers and church records at the local level, particularly in counties organized before statehood.
Nebraska county records for real property are held by the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located, not the County Clerk. The Register of Deeds maintains deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, plats, and other recorded instruments. Many larger Nebraska counties provide online deed searching through the Register of Deeds website or the Nebraska land records statewide portal. Property tax assessment data is maintained by the County Assessor, and tax payment records are held by the County Treasurer. Researchers need to contact the Register of Deeds for title documents and the Assessor and Treasurer for assessment and tax history to build a complete picture of Nebraska county records for a given property.
The Nebraska Judicial Branch's JUSTICE system provides online access to court case information for both District Courts and County Courts statewide. Case details include party names, charges, hearing dates, and case dispositions. Actual case documents require contacting the relevant court clerk. Nebraska county records for probate and estate matters are held by the County Court Clerk rather than the District Court Clerk. Researchers seeking estate files should specify County Court rather than District Court when contacting the county courthouse. Fees for certified copies of court documents are set by Nebraska Supreme Court rules.
The Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln is the primary repository for historical Nebraska county records, holding transferred deed books, court minutes, probate files, and vital records from many of the state's 93 counties. The NSHS also holds extensive collections of ethnic community records, church registers, and immigrant newspapers from German-Russian, Czech, and Scandinavian communities. FamilySearch has digitized significant portions of Nebraska county records microfilm. County libraries and genealogical societies hold local collections. For homestead research, the National Archives holds original homestead entry files for Nebraska federal land, which complement Nebraska county records for early land title research.
Nebraska's public records law at Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 84-712 et seq. provides public access to government records held by all Nebraska government agencies including county offices. Submit a written request to the custodian of records at the relevant county agency. The agency must respond within four business days. No reason for the request is required. Fees are limited to actual costs of reproduction plus reasonable staff time for research. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the specific statutory exemption. Disputes over denied Nebraska county records can be pursued in district court, and prevailing requesters may be awarded attorney fees for wrongful denial.
Nebraska separates property recording and administrative county functions into two distinct elected offices. The Register of Deeds records real property instruments including deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, and plats, and maintains the property recording index. The County Clerk handles election administration, county board minutes, marriage license issuance, and certain other administrative records. Nebraska county records for property go to the Register of Deeds; records for marriages and election matters go to the County Clerk. The two offices are separate and do not share filing systems. In the smallest Nebraska counties, one person may serve both roles, but the statutory distinction remains.
Marriage licenses in Nebraska are issued by the County Clerk in the county where the couple applied for the license. To obtain a copy, contact the County Clerk with the names of both parties and the approximate marriage date. The Nebraska Vital Records Division holds statewide marriage records from 1909 onward and can provide certified copies. Historical marriage records before 1909 are found in County Clerk files and microfilm held by the Nebraska State Historical Society. FamilySearch provides indexed and digitized Nebraska marriage records from many counties. Early Nebraska county records include territorial marriage registers predating statehood in 1867.
Nebraska criminal history records are maintained by the Nebraska State Patrol, Criminal Identification Division. The public can request a criminal background check through the State Patrol online portal for a fee. Individual county-level criminal case records within Nebraska county records are accessible through the Nebraska Judicial Branch JUSTICE system, which shows both District Court and County Court case information statewide. Certified criminal history information requires a formal State Patrol request with identifying information and applicable fees. Some Nebraska records may be set aside under Nebraska's record sealing statutes upon petition to the sentencing court.
Free access to Nebraska county records for land varies by county. Many larger counties provide free online deed searching through Register of Deeds websites. Others use third-party platforms or the statewide Nebraska land records portal, which may charge per-document fees. Searching in person at the Register of Deeds office is generally free. The Nebraska State Historical Society provides free in-person access to microfilmed Nebraska county records including historical deed books. FamilySearch provides free online access to digitized Nebraska land records and vital records from many counties. The National Archives General Land Office records portal provides free access to federal land patents for Nebraska homestead and pre-emption entries.
The Nebraska Sandhills region, covering a large portion of the state's central and western counties, presents significant research challenges due to extreme sparsity of population and limited county office resources. Counties including Hooker, McPherson, Thomas, Logan, Grant, and Blaine each have populations under 1,000 residents, with some under 500. Nebraska county records from these counties exist largely in paper form with minimal digitization. County offices may operate only part-time or by appointment. Researchers should contact Sandhills county offices by phone or email before any visit or records request to confirm hours, staff availability, and whether records can be fulfilled remotely. For older Nebraska county records from these counties, the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln is often the most practical access point.
Fees for Nebraska county records vary by record type and county. Nebraska's public records law limits copying fees to actual reproduction costs plus reasonable staff time for research. Certified copies of deeds and recorded instruments carry per-page fees set by state statute. The Nebraska Vital Records Division charges fixed fees for certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates. District Court and County Court fees for copies of case documents are set by Nebraska Supreme Court rules. County Assessor and Treasurer fees for certified property and tax records vary by county. Contacting the relevant office before submitting a request is the best way to confirm current fee schedules and available delivery options.
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Important Deadlines in Nebraska
Nebraska's Homestead Exemption carries a firm annual deadline: Form 458 must be filed with your county Assessor between February 2 and June 30 each year - genuinely a real, yearly refiling requirement, unlike many states where a similar exemption files once.
Important Deadlines in Nebraska
Nebraska's Homestead Exemption carries a firm annual deadline: Form 458 must be filed with your county Assessor between February 2 and June 30 each year - genuinely a real, yearly refiling requirement, unlike many states where a similar exemption files once. It's available to homeowners 65+, those with qualifying disabilities, certain disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, and individuals with developmental disabilities, with some categories subject to income and residence-value limits, and relief offered on a sliding scale (up to 100% for qualifying low-income applicants). You must occupy the home from January 1 through August 15 to qualify for that tax year. The same June 30 date is also genuinely the deadline to formally protest your property's assessed valuation - file a written protest (Form 422 or 422A) with your county Board of Equalization, typically through the county Clerk's office, along with supporting evidence. Both deadlines can shift to the next business day when June 30 falls on a weekend. Property tax bills are typically due in two installments; confirm your specific county's exact due dates, since Nebraska genuinely allows some local variation in payment scheduling.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue Property Assessment Division, county Assessor and Clerk offices, Nebraska Revised Statute §77-3510 and §77-1502
Valuation Protests in Nebraska
If you disagree with your property's assessed value, Nebraska gives you a firm June 30 annual deadline to file a formal written protest (Form 422 or 422A) with your county Board of Equalization, typically through the county Clerk's office - a submission postmarked or received after that date will be dismissed, no exceptions.
Valuation Protests in Nebraska
If you disagree with your property's assessed value, Nebraska gives you a firm June 30 annual deadline to file a formal written protest (Form 422 or 422A) with your county Board of Equalization, typically through the county Clerk's office - a submission postmarked or received after that date will be dismissed, no exceptions. Bring genuine supporting evidence with your protest: comparable sales, an independent appraisal, or documentation of a factual error in your property's characteristics. After filing, you'll typically get an opportunity to present your case directly to a county property appraiser or referee before the Board of Equalization issues its final decision - though this process can genuinely vary somewhat from county to county, so confirm your specific county's approach. The Board of Equalization is a citizen body distinct from the county Assessor's office that originally set your value. If the Board's decision doesn't resolve things in your favor, further appeal to the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC), a dedicated state-level body, and beyond that to the Nebraska Court of Appeals, remains available. Because the homestead exemption filing deadline is the same June 30 date, many Nebraska homeowners handle both matters together each spring - worth calendaring both if either applies to you.
Read the full property tax appeal guide →
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue Property Assessment Division, county Board of Equalization offices, Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission, Nebraska Revised Statute §77-1502
Public Records Access in Nebraska
Nebraska's public records statutes presume that records held by state and local government agencies are open to public inspection, and like most states' open-records laws, you generally don't need to explain your reason for a request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records.
Public Records Access in Nebraska
Nebraska's public records statutes presume that records held by state and local government agencies are open to public inspection, and like most states' open-records laws, you generally don't need to explain your reason for a request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records. Agencies must respond within 4 business days (or explain why more time is needed), and cite a specific statutory exemption if a request is denied - common exemptions include certain law enforcement investigative records, personnel and medical information, and other categories the legislature has carved out. Real estate records - deeds, mortgages, liens - are recorded and searchable through the county Register of Deeds. Probate and estate matters, distinctively, run through the County Court in Nebraska rather than a District Court probate division - a genuinely notable structural difference from many states. Business entity records are filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State, searchable statewide. Property valuation and protest records go through your county Assessor, while vehicle registration and motor vehicle taxes run through the county Treasurer - two separate offices with distinct roles. Remember Nebraska is one of the few states that still imposes an inheritance tax, paid to the county (not the state) - if you're researching estate records, expect this to come up as part of settling a Nebraska estate. If a records request is denied, disputes can ultimately go to district court.
Read the full open records guide →
Sources: Nebraska Attorney General's Office, Nebraska Revised Statute §84-712 et seq., county Register of Deeds, County Court, Assessor, and Treasurer offices
Storm & Recovery Help in Nebraska
Nebraska faces genuine tornado risk with peak season running spring through early summer, and the state's flat, open prairie terrain means storms can be seen coming from real distance but also move with genuine speed across the landscape.
Storm & Recovery Help in Nebraska
Nebraska faces genuine tornado risk with peak season running spring through early summer, and the state's flat, open prairie terrain means storms can be seen coming from real distance but also move with genuine speed across the landscape. Know your county's warning system and, if you have one, your safe room or storm shelter location before tornado season starts. Nebraska has supported residential and community safe room grant programs given the state's tornado history - check with your county Emergency Management office about current program availability. Your county Emergency Management Agency coordinates local response and maintains current warning information during active weather events. After a tornado or storm causes damage, your county Assessor can adjust your property's valuation to reflect the damage, and if a federal disaster is declared, FEMA assistance becomes available for both individual homeowners and local government recovery costs. Insurance claims should be filed promptly with documentation (photos, a written inventory, receipts for emergency repairs). Building permits for storm repairs and rebuilds go through your county or city building department. If you farm or ranch, remember Nebraska's Greenbelt agricultural valuation exists separately from storm recovery - check with your Assessor if storm damage affects agricultural buildings or improvements distinct from your primary residence.
Sources: Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, county Emergency Management Agency and Assessor offices
New to Nebraska?
As a new Nebraska resident, check with the Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the current specific window to transfer your out-of-state driver's license, and register your vehicle through your county Treasurer's office - remember Nebraska genuinely combines vehicle registration and motor vehicle taxes at this single county office rather than splitting them across separate agencies.
New to Nebraska?
As a new Nebraska resident, check with the Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the current specific window to transfer your out-of-state driver's license, and register your vehicle through your county Treasurer's office - remember Nebraska genuinely combines vehicle registration and motor vehicle taxes at this single county office rather than splitting them across separate agencies. If you qualify by age (65+), disability, or veteran status, apply for the Homestead Exemption with your county Assessor between February 2 and June 30 - and mark your calendar to refile every year, since Nebraska's exemption genuinely requires annual reapplication rather than a one-time filing. Register to vote through your county Election Commissioner or Clerk's office. Remember estate and probate matters in Nebraska run through your county's County Court, not a District Court probate division - a genuinely distinctive structure. If you're settling an estate here, be aware Nebraska is one of the few remaining states with an inheritance tax, paid to the county rather than the state, which can catch newcomers off guard if you're inheriting from a Nebraska resident. Property deeds are recorded with the county Register of Deeds. If you're purchasing farm or ranch land, ask about Greenbelt valuation, which taxes qualifying agricultural land based on its special use classification rather than full market value.
Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Nebraska Dept. of Revenue, county Assessor, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds offices
Find the services available in your county
Nebraska laws apply statewide, but offices, services, procedures and local requirements can vary by county. Select your county for verified local offices, services and official resources.
All 93 Nebraska counties
Browse every county and county seat.
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Sources and References
- Nebraska Public Records Law, Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 84-712 et seq.
- Nebraska State Historical Society: nebraskahistory.org
- Nebraska Vital Records Division: dhhs.ne.gov/pages/vital-records.aspx
- Nebraska Judicial Branch, JUSTICE: supremecourt.nebraska.gov
- Nebraska Secretary of State, Business: sos.nebraska.gov/business
- Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment: revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD
- Nebraska State Patrol, Criminal Identification: statepatrol.nebraska.gov
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