Clark County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Clark County?

Public records in Clark County are defined according to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) § 239.010, which states that all public books and public records of governmental entities must remain open at all reasonable times for inspection and copying. These records document the activities and operations of government agencies serving the residents of Clark County, Nevada.

The Clark County government maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Clark County District Court and Justice Courts
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers
Vital Records: Marriage certificates (birth and death certificates are maintained by the state)
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious firm name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings and other boards
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and planning documents

Different county departments maintain specific record types. The Clark County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while the Clark County Clerk maintains marriage records and court documents. The Clark County Assessor handles property assessment records, and the District Court maintains judicial records.

Is Clark County an Open Records County?

Clark County adheres to Nevada's public records laws, specifically 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(1), the statute explicitly states: "Except as otherwise provided by specific statute, all public books and public records of a governmental entity must be open at all reasonable times for inspection and copying." This provision establishes Nevada's commitment to government transparency.

Clark County has implemented specific policies to comply with state sunshine laws. The county maintains a dedicated public records request process through various departments, with each maintaining procedures for requesting and obtaining public records in accordance with state law.

The Nevada Public Records Act requires government agencies to respond to records 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 agency will respond if additional time is needed.

Clark County's compliance with open records laws is further reinforced by NRS § 239.011, which requires governmental entities to prepare and maintain a list of records that are confidential by specific statute.

How to Find Public Records in Clark County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Clark County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public information:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- Property records can be searched through the Clark County Recorder's electronic system
- Marriage records are searchable via the County Clerk's online database
- Court records are accessible through the Justice Court Records Inquiry system and District Court case search
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during business hours:
- For property records: Visit the County Recorder's Office
- For marriage licenses and court records: Visit the County Clerk
- For assessment records: Visit the County Assessor's Office
Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Nevada DMV Records: Vehicle and driver records can be requested through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles following their specific procedures.
Criminal Records: Criminal case information can be accessed through the Clark County District Court Criminal Division.

When submitting requests, individuals should be as specific as possible about the records sought to facilitate prompt processing. Pursuant to NRS § 239.0107, agencies must respond to requests within five business days.

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

Clark County charges fees for public records in accordance with NRS § 239.052, which allows governmental entities to charge a fee for providing a copy of a public record that does not exceed the actual cost of providing the copy.

Current standard fees for public records in Clark County include:

Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard-sized copies
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Marriage Certificates: $15.00 per certified copy
Property Records: $1.00 per page for copies of recorded documents
Court Records: $0.50 per page for copies; $3.00 for certified copies
Research Fees: $20.00 per hour for staff research time (may be charged after first 30 minutes)
Electronic Records: Variable fees based on storage medium and staff time

Payment methods accepted by most Clark County offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
Money orders
Checks (made payable to the specific county department)

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the disclosure of the information is determined to be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be made in writing with justification for the waiver.

For large or complex requests, the department may provide a cost estimate before proceeding with the request. Pursuant to NRS § 239.055, agencies may require advance payment before processing requests.

Does Clark County Have Free Public Records?

Clark County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with NRS § 239.010, which requires that public records be open for inspection at reasonable times. While copies typically incur fees, the following free services are available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
Online Access: Several free online resources are available:
- The Clark County website provides access to meeting agendas, minutes, and various reports
- Basic property information through the County Assessor's website
- Marriage record verification (basic information only) through the County Clerk's website
- Court calendar information and case status updates

The Clark County Recorder's Office provides free public terminals for searching property records on-site, though printing copies incurs standard fees.

The Las Vegas Justice Court offers free online access to basic case information, though detailed documents require payment.

County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are freely available on the county website, supporting public oversight of government operations.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clark County?

Under Nevada law, specifically NRS § 239.010, any person has the right to inspect or copy public records maintained by Clark County governmental entities. The statute does not restrict access based on citizenship or residency status.

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency Requirements: Non-residents have the same rights to access public records as Nevada residents
Identification: While basic identification may be required for certain records, requestors generally do not need to provide extensive personal information
Purpose Statement: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the records

However, certain record types have specific restrictions:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives
Criminal Justice Records: Some law enforcement records may have restricted access, particularly for ongoing investigations
Personal Records: When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is required to protect privacy
Confidential Records: Access to records declared confidential by law is limited to authorized individuals

Government agencies may ask for contact information to communicate about the request, but cannot typically require extensive personal information or justification for most public record requests.

The Nevada Public Records Act emphasizes that the identity, motivation, or intended use of records by a requestor should not be considered when determining whether to disclose non-confidential public records.

What Records Are Confidential in Clark County?

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure in Clark County pursuant to NRS § 239.010(1), which states that records may be confidential when "otherwise provided by specific statute." The following record types are generally confidential:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and other sensitive personal data
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Juvenile Records: Court proceedings and law enforcement records involving minors
Sealed Court Records: Cases that have been formally sealed by court order
Ongoing Investigations: Active law enforcement investigative files
Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations related to child abuse or neglect
Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for position, salary, and employment history)
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product between county agencies and their attorneys
Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, or emergency response plans
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Adoption Records: Documents related to adoption proceedings
Certain Victim Information: Details that could endanger victims of crimes

NRS § 239.0105 requires governmental entities to apply a balancing test when determining whether to disclose records that may contain confidential information. This test weighs the public's right to access against privacy interests, safety concerns, and other factors that may justify withholding information.

When a record contains both confidential and non-confidential information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder when possible, as required by NRS § 239.010(3).

Clark County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Clark County Recorder's Office
500 S. Grand Central Parkway, 2nd Floor
Las Vegas, NV 89155
(702) 455-4336
Clark County Recorder

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

Additional Locations:

Northwest Branch Office
3211 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 118
Las Vegas, NV 89129
(702) 455-8684

Henderson Branch Office
Henderson City Hall
240 Water Street
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 455-7986

The Clark County Recorder's Office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining land records and other official documents. Services include recording deeds, mortgages, liens, maps, military discharge papers, and other documents affecting real property in Clark County. The office also provides certified copies of recorded documents and maintains a searchable database of property records.