Las Vegas, Nevada Municipal Court Records
NRS 239.110(9) defines the term "court record" as any document, item, or device, no matter its physical form or characteristic, that is created by, comes under, or is received under the authority of any of the courts (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District, Justice, or Municipal Courts). As a case moves through the judicial process, evidence, exhibits, documents, and other related information are preserved in a file; these details together make up the court file.
Las Vegas Municipal Court records and case files are governed by several laws, including the public records law, which also covers other government-created and maintained records, such as property, criminal, and arrest records. Las Vegas court records are maintained by the clerk of the court.
Are Las Vegas Municipal Court Records Public?
Yes. Access to municipal court records in Las Vegas is governed by a combination of Nevada's general public records law and court-specific rules and statutes. The Nevada Public Records Act provides the general coverage for records maintained by government agencies. Specifically for court records, Rule 1(3) of the Nevada Rules for Sealing and Redacting Court Records provides that court records are accessible to the public, except as otherwise provided by statute or court rule.
The Nevada Public Records Act provides the general public access framework, while the judicial rules determine how that framework applies to court records and when an exception to public access applies.
Generally, public access does not extend to all Las Vegas Municipal Court records. Access may be restricted where a statute or court order imposes confidentiality. Examples of restricted records include
- Personal identifying information, as addressed in NRS 239.0105
- Sealed records under NRS Chapter 33
- Records related to a person with a disability per NRS Chapter 435
Confidential access is generally limited to persons authorized by statute or those permitted access by court order.
What Information is Available in Las Vegas Municipal Court Records?
In addition to primary identifiers such as case reference numbers and subject names, court files compiled by the Las Vegas Municipal Court include comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings and final rulings. Although specific record elements vary depending on the nature of the underlying matter, public court records typically include the following details:
- History number, case number, or citation number
- Party and attorney details
- Scheduled court hearings and times
- Dockets
- Warrant data
- Final disposition
- Decrees, orders, and judgments
Las Vegas Municipal Court Records Search
Court records in Nevada, and by default, Las Vegas, are available to the public through court-provided channels. These channels enable inquirers to locate a municipal court record, conduct research, or use information obtained from a record for personal or legal purposes.
- Online Access: Members of the public, legal counsel, defendants, and bail bond entities may locate court records using the electronic search portal provided by the Las Vegas Municipal Court. Requesters may navigate the public system directly or log in to an established account to perform queries by
- Subject name
- Citation reference number
- Case identification number
While a citation number or case number can be entered directly to retrieve matching records, a name search requires the inquirer to provide the date of birth of the subject of the record. If no record is returned, the record either does not exist or is only available at the courthouse; the inquirer can consider going there. No fee payment is required to use this channel.
- In-Person Access. Where a requester prefers first-hand experience and wants to be present and involved in the search process, visiting the Las Vegas Municipal Courthouse can be useful. The clerk's office and staff members typically assist inquirers and can explain available lookup options.
To proceed with a search, the name of a party, a case number, or a citation number is required. While inspection of case records may be free, requests for copies may incur a fee.
- Mail/email requests: Unlike the aforementioned options, this channel allows the requester to request a Las Vegas Municipal Court record without leaving their location. The request is typically made in writing, and the requester provides all possible identifying details of the case record they need (e.g., a party's name or case number).
Mail requests incur processing and copying fees. Payments can be made using money orders, checks, or credit cards. Requests can be sent to the address below (include a stamped, self-addressed return envelope).
Las Vegas Municipal Court
ATTN: Civil Records Office
P.O. Box 3950
Las Vegas, NV 89127
Court record requests can also be submitted electronically. The email addresses for each type of court record request are as follows:
- Administrative Records: LVJCAdministration@clarkcountynv.gov
- Criminal/Misdemeanor Traffic: Records.Criminal@clarkcountynv.gov
- Civil Case/Civil Infraction: Records.Civil@clarkcountynv.gov
Search by Name or Case Number
All request channels—online, in person, and mail—provided by the Las Vegas Municipal Court allow searches by name or case number. One can also complete a search by providing a citation number. While remote access and in-person inspection of court records can be completed at no cost to the inquirer, requesting a copy and making a mail request generally incur fees.
Fees for Las Vegas Municipal Court Records
Nevada law approves fees for court records services. NRS 19.070 provides that a clerk of the court may not charge a fee that is not authorized by law, while NRS 19.040 requires clerks to make their fee schedule available for public inspection.
When requesting a Las Vegas Municipal Court case record, fees may apply for record searches, reproduction, certification, and specific retrieval channels. The following charges do not constitute an exhaustive list of all potential fees associated with record requests:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search | $1 per name, per year |
| Copies (paper and electronic) | 50 cents per page |
| Certified copy | 50 cents per page |
| Letter of no record (certified copy) | $3 per certification |
| Letter of no record (uncertified copy) | Free |
| Civil abstract of judgment | $3 per transaction |
| Exemplified judgment | $9 per transaction |
| Offsite file retrieval | $10 per case |
Those who request a Las Vegas Municipal Court record can pay in cash (for in-person orders), by money order, cashier's check, debit card, or credit card. Inquirers are encouraged to write the case number on a cashier's check or money order.
Las Vegas Municipal Courthouse Locations
There is only one Municipal Court specifically serving the City of Las Vegas. Municipal courts in Nevada are courts of limited jurisdiction that handle traffic violations, city ordinances, and misdemeanors. The Las Vegas Municipal Court is no exception, and the court hears proceedings at:
100 East Clark Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 382-6878
Criminal and Misdemeanor Record Access in Las Vegas Municipal
Records compiled throughout judicial proceedings, including criminal case filings, fall under the judiciary's jurisdiction. Pursuant to applicable statutory provisions, the Las Vegas Municipal Court preserves and manages criminal court files—encompassing misdemeanor offenses, municipal infractions, and criminal traffic matters—and provides public access except where confidentiality applies.
Publicly accessible criminal court records compiled by the Las Vegas Municipal Court may be requested through the clerk’s office via remote online portals, email, by mail, or in-person visits. Requesters are typically required to complete and submit an official records request application specifying the exact details of the requested file, along with any applicable processing fees, using an approved payment option.
Beyond judicial files, an applicant might request a comprehensive criminal history file. These background checks are processed through the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Records and Fingerprint Bureau, rather than the municipal court. Requesters may file an online application or submit a written query to any local precinct within LVMPD coverage or directly to the agency's Customer Service Section. Mail requests must include the appropriate processing fee and a copy of the requester's government identification when dispatched to the agency's mailing address.
Records and Fingerprint Bureau
Correspondence Section
400 South Martin Luther King Boulevard
Building C
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Access to a complete criminal history is restricted under NRS Chapter 179A.
