Washoe County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Washoe County?

Public records in Washoe County are defined as documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, statistical or factual information, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by a governmental entity in connection with the transaction of public business. This definition is established under the Nevada Public Records Act (NRS 239), which governs access to public records throughout the state.

Washoe County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Second Judicial District Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious firm name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and other public bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, and expenditure reports
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Washoe County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while the Washoe County Clerk manages marriage licenses, fictitious firm names, and other official documents. Court records are maintained by the Second Judicial District Court, and vital records such as birth and death certificates are available through the Washoe County Health District.

Is Washoe County an Open Records County?

Washoe County adheres to the Nevada Public Records Act (NRS Chapter 239), which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically declared confidential by law. Under NRS 239.010, "all public books and public records of a governmental entity must be open at all times during office hours to inspection by any person."

The Nevada Supreme Court has consistently reinforced this principle, stating in Reno Newspapers v. Gibbons that "the purpose of the NPRA is to ensure the accountability of the government to the public by facilitating public access to vital information about governmental activities."

Washoe County has established specific procedures for public records access in compliance with state law. The county maintains a Public Records Request Policy that outlines how members of the public may request and obtain records. This policy reflects the county's commitment to transparency while balancing privacy concerns and statutory exemptions.

Additionally, Washoe County complies with Nevada's Open Meeting Law (NRS Chapter 241), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given, and minutes kept of all proceedings.

How to Find Public Records in Washoe County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Washoe County may follow these steps to obtain the information they need:

Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county department or office maintains the records you seek. The Washoe County website provides a directory of departments and the types of records they maintain.
Submit a formal request: While some records are available online, others require a formal request. Requests may be submitted in several ways:
- In person at the appropriate department
- By mail to the department's physical address
- By email to the department's designated records officer
- Through the county's online public records request portal
Complete required forms: Some record types require specific forms. For example:
- Marriage certificates require a Marriage Certificate Request Form
- Property records searches may require a Records Search Request Form
Provide necessary identification: Certain records, particularly vital records, require proper identification to access. Valid government-issued photo ID is typically required.
Pay applicable fees: Be prepared to pay any required fees for record retrieval, copying, or certification.
Allow processing time: Pursuant to NRS 239.0107, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, either by providing the records, denying the request with a citation to legal authority, or providing a date by which the request will be fulfilled.

For frequently requested records, the following departments maintain specific records:

Washoe County Recorder's Office
1001 E. 9th Street, Building A
Reno, NV 89512
775-328-3660
Washoe County Recorder

Washoe County Clerk
1001 E. 9th Street, Building A
Reno, NV 89512
775-328-3600
Washoe County Clerk

Second Judicial District Court
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
775-328-3110
Second Judicial District Court

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

Washoe County charges fees for public records in accordance with NRS 239.052, which allows governmental entities to charge fees for providing copies of public records that do not exceed the actual cost of providing the copies.

Standard fees for common record types include:

General Copies: $0.50 per page for standard black and white copies
Certified Copies: Additional $4.00 certification fee per document
Marriage Certificates: $15.00 for a certified copy
Property Records: $1.00 per page for copies of recorded documents
Maps and Large Format Documents: $5.00-$10.00 depending on size
Electronic Records: $5.00-$10.00 per CD/DVD or electronic file
Research Fees: $20.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes (for requests requiring extensive research)

Payment methods accepted by most Washoe County offices include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances. Under NRS 239.054, a governmental entity may waive all or a portion of a fee if it determines that the waiver is in the best interest of the public. Additionally, certain nonprofit organizations and journalists may qualify for fee reductions or waivers when the request is in the public interest.

Does Washoe County Have Free Public Records?

Washoe County provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours in accordance with NRS 239.010, which states that public records must be open for inspection at no charge. Members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during business hours to view records without paying a fee, though charges apply for copies or certified documents.

Several types of records are available at no cost through online portals:

County Commission Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Available through the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners website
Property Assessment Information: Basic property details through the Washoe County Assessor's Office
Court Case Information: Basic case information through the Second Judicial District Court's online portal
Voter Registration Verification: Voters can verify their registration status through the Washoe County Registrar of Voters
County Budget Documents: Financial reports through the Washoe County Budget Division

The Washoe County Library System also provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records at no charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Washoe County?

Under the Nevada Public Records Act (NRS 239.010), any person has the right to inspect or copy public records maintained by Washoe County. The statute specifically states that records must be open to inspection "by any person," and does not limit access based on citizenship, residency, or purpose.

Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:

No residency requirement: Requestors need not be Nevada residents or U.S. citizens
No purpose requirement: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request
Identification requirements: While identification is not required for most general records requests, certain records (particularly vital records and some court documents) may require proper identification
Anonymous requests: Anonymous requests are permitted for general public records, though contact information is needed if copies are to be provided

For requests involving personal or confidential information, additional requirements may apply:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates require proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record
Medical Records: Access is restricted under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Juvenile Records: Generally confidential under NRS 62H.030
Criminal History Information: Complete criminal histories are restricted under NRS 179A

Business entities, media organizations, and legal representatives may also request records, subject to the same general rules and restrictions that apply to individual requestors.

What Records Are Confidential in Washoe County?

While Washoe County operates under the presumption of openness, certain records are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions are primarily established under NRS 239.010(1), which states that records are public "unless otherwise declared by law to be confidential."

Records that are confidential or exempt from disclosure include:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and driver's license numbers (NRS 239B.030)
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Juvenile Court Records: Confidential under NRS 62H.030
Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations of child abuse or neglect (NRS 432B.280)
Adoption Records: Sealed by court order and confidential under state law
Certain Law Enforcement Records: Ongoing investigations, intelligence information, and victim information
Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information of public employees
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information: Confidential business information submitted to the county
Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, or emergency response plans
Records Declared Confidential by Court Order: Documents sealed by judicial order

When a record contains both public and confidential information, Washoe County will redact the confidential portions and provide the remainder, as required by NRS 239.010(3).

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services provides additional guidance on confidential records related to child welfare services in Washoe County.

Washoe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Washoe County Recorder's Office
1001 E. 9th Street, Building A, First Floor
Reno, NV 89512
775-328-3660
Washoe County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Maintaining official property records
Issuing copies of recorded documents
Marriage certificate copies (for marriages performed in Washoe County)
Military discharge recording (DD-214)

Additional Information:

Public research terminals are available during business hours
Self-service copy machines are available (fee required)
Staff assistance is available for complex searches
Online records search is available through the Washoe County Recorder's website

Satellite Office:
Incline Village Office
893 Southwood Blvd.
Incline Village, NV 89451
775-832-4130

Incline Village Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Washoe County

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