How to Search Washoe County Court Records
The main entry point is the Second Judicial District Court public portal at caseinfo.washoecourts.com. The portal exposes a Case Search for case-level data and a Calendar Search for hearings and dockets. The official About the Portal page states that case and hearing information may be searched and viewed for free. Document downloads can require a paid eFlex subscription account, per the court's media-coverage notice.
Before you start, gather what you have. A case number is fastest. A party last name works when paired with a first name or filing date. A company name is the third valid anchor. The portal requires one of those three. Optional filters tighten the result list: department, attorney name, cross reference number, and a filed-date range.
The court FAQ at washoecourts.com covers a screenshot of the field layout.
The screenshot below shows the public portal landing page where most searches begin, captured from caseinfo.washoecourts.com.
The portal is the same starting screen used by the clerk's office, attorneys, and the public. The toolbar at the top swaps between Case Search and Calendar Search.
- Open the portal and pick Case Search for case data or Calendar Search for hearings.
- Enter one anchor: case number, party last name, or company name.
- Add a first name, attorney name, or filed-date range if the result list is too long.
- Pick a department from the dropdown to narrow by case type, such as Probate or Domestic Violence.
- Review the docket events for hearings, motions, pleas, and dispositions.
- Request a certified copy from Records Request at recordreq@washoecourts.us if you need a stamped record.
Operators sit next to each text field. "Equals" works when you know the spelling. "Starts with" handles partial names. "Soundex" catches phonetic spelling variants. The detailed Case Search form lets you mix operators across last name, first name, and case number to refine a long hit list.
The Washoe County Judicial System
Washoe County sits inside Nevada's Second Judicial District. The court of general jurisdiction is the Second Judicial District Court at 75 Court Street in Reno. Below it sit Reno Justice Court, Sparks Justice Court, Incline Village/Crystal Bay Justice Court, and Wadsworth Justice Court. The City of Reno and the City of Sparks each run their own municipal court for city ordinance and traffic cases. The Nevada Judiciary page at nvcourts.gov sets the structure.
The district court hears felonies, gross misdemeanors, civil cases over $15,000, probate, guardianship, family law, juvenile matters, and appeals from the lower courts. Justice courts handle misdemeanors, citations, evictions, small claims, and civil disputes under $15,000. Municipal courts cover traffic and city ordinance cases within Reno and Sparks. Appeals from the district court go to the Supreme Court of Nevada or the Nevada Court of Appeals.
Case flow: Justice or Municipal Court › Second Judicial District Court › Nevada Court of Appeals › Supreme Court of Nevada
The Nevada Judiciary's Find a Court tool maps every court statewide. The image below is the official Nevada Judiciary court-structure page.
The chart shows the same hierarchy laid out in the table below, with the Washoe trial court sitting in the District Court row.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Case Types |
|---|---|---|
| Second Judicial District Court | General trial court | Felony, civil over $15,000, divorce, probate, juvenile |
| Reno Justice Court | Limited jurisdiction | Misdemeanors, traffic, evictions, small claims, civil under $15,000 |
| Sparks Justice Court | Limited jurisdiction | Misdemeanors, traffic, evictions, small claims |
| Reno Municipal Court | City ordinance | Traffic, parking, city misdemeanor ordinance |
| Sparks Municipal Court | City ordinance | Traffic, parking, city misdemeanor ordinance |
| Nevada Court of Appeals / Supreme Court | Appellate | Appeals from the trial courts |
Washoe County Courthouses
The historic courthouse at 75 Court Street in Reno is the main district court site. The Family Division sits one block south at One South Sierra Street. The probate desk is on the first floor of the historic building, in Room 125. Reno Justice Court and Reno Municipal Court are also in downtown Reno, while Sparks operates its own justice and municipal courts on the east side of the metro.
Historic Courthouse (General Jurisdiction)
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 328-3110
Second Judicial District Family Division
One South Sierra Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 328-3110
The courthouse FAQ at washoecourts.com publishes a master address list and a records-request email. The screenshot below shows that FAQ page.
The same page lists hours and the ADA accommodation contact at Court Administration.
Types of Court Records in Washoe County
The court keeps records for each major case category. Civil files cover lawsuits, motions, judgments, and appeals from lower courts. Criminal files cover charges, pleas, sentences, and post-conviction motions. Family files cover divorce, custody, paternity, adoption, and guardianship. Probate files cover wills, estates, trusts, and related orders. Juvenile files cover delinquency and dependency, with strict limits on public view.
Lower courts hold different files. The Reno Justice Court holds misdemeanors, citation cases, and small claims. The Sparks Justice Court holds the same case types for the Sparks township. Reno and Sparks Municipal Courts hold city ordinance and traffic citation files for arrests within city limits.
- Civil records: suits over $15,000, contract claims, torts, writs, arbitration references.
- Criminal records: felony and gross misdemeanor cases, plus misdemeanor citation files in justice court.
- Family records: divorce, paternity, UIFSA, custody, support, and adoption cases.
- Probate records: wills, estates, trusts, guardianship, and conservatorship files. See probate records.
- Traffic records: citation files handled by the justice and municipal courts.
- Juvenile records: delinquency and dependency cases, with public access closed by statute.
What Washoe County Court Records Show
A standard search result on the district court portal returns a structured record. The field list below maps what each row in a case detail typically shows. Sealed or restricted files may show only the case caption, with the body of the file blocked from public view.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Case Number | The court's unique tag for the file, such as CR or CV plus a sequence. |
| Filing Date | The date the case opened on the court's docket. |
| Parties | Plaintiff/defendant or petitioner/respondent names and attorneys of record. |
| Department | Department 1 through 16, plus Probate, UIFSA, Domestic Violence, Dependency, Delinquency, or Arbitration. |
| Charges / Cause | The statute, count, or cause of action that drives the case. |
| Events | Arraignment, motions, change of plea, settlement conference, trial, sentencing, and reviews. |
| Disposition | Final result, with codes such as Agreement Reached, Admit and Sentenced, or Dismissed. |
| Sentence / Judgment | Custody, probation, fines, civil award, or other order entered by the judge. |
The detailed field map for the case search form lives at caseinfo.washoecourts.com.
The capture shows the same field set with operator dropdowns. Use the same anchors when you build your own search.
Public Access Laws for Washoe County Court Records
The state framework is the Nevada Public Records Act, codified at NRS Chapter 239. The act makes public records open unless a statute or court rule closes them. Court records also sit under the Nevada Supreme Court Rules Governing Sealing and Redacting Court Records. A short overview of the framework appears below.
Key Statutes:
NRS 239.010 : presumes public access to government records and requires the holder to cite a specific legal basis when it withholds a file.
Nevada SCR Sealing & Redacting Rules : civil court records may be sealed only on written findings that privacy or safety interests outweigh the public's right of access.
NRS Chapter 179 : controls sealing of adult criminal records after waiting periods and a petition to the court.
The image below is the official text of the Nevada Public Records Act on the state legislature site.
Use it as the citation source when you draft a written records request.
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
Some Washoe County court files stay closed by state law. Juvenile delinquency and dependency files sit under NRS Chapter 62H. Adoption files are confidential under NRS Chapter 127. Sealed criminal records fall under Chapter 179. Mental health and competency files are closed under NRS Chapter 433A. The Supreme Court sealing rules let a civil judge close a file on written findings of a compelling privacy or safety interest.
To view a sealed file, a person who has standing files a motion in the court that issued the seal. The court holds a hearing and decides whether the sealing reasons still apply. A person whose own record was sealed under Chapter 179 may apply for a certified copy through court records request.
Note: Even when a sealed case appears on the docket index, the court can hide the body of the file and any attached documents.
Specialty Courts in Washoe County
The Second Judicial District Court runs problem-solving dockets for several groups. The Adult Drug Court takes substance-use cases on referral, with the screening checklist posted at washoecourts.com. The Veterans Treatment Court runs a year-long supervised program for eligible veterans and active-duty members. The Competency Court, set up by administrative order in February 2023, meets every Friday at 10:00 a.m. in Department 7 with Judge Egan K. Walker.
Other specialty dockets visible in the court calendar include Felony DUI Court, Mental Health Court, Prison Reentry Court, MAT Court, and Youth Offender Court. Each program has a referral and screening step that runs through the assigned attorney, the District Attorney, or the Public Defender.
Washoe County Sheriff and Jail
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office holds people in pretrial custody and runs the Washoe County Detention Facility at 911 Parr Blvd in Reno. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th elected sheriff. The jail roster sits at washoesheriff.com and refreshes every 15 minutes. A search needs at least three letters of the last name. Mugshots and most personal identifiers are not posted.
For full booking and visitation rules see Washoe County inmate records. For active warrant procedures see warrant records. The screenshot below is the official sheriff's home page.
It carries the public scam warning that no sheriff staff will ever ask for bail through Venmo, Cash App, Bitcoin, or gift cards.
Scam Alert: Sheriff staff will never call family to demand bail through Venmo, Cash App, Bitcoin, or gift cards. Verify any call with the sheriff's office at (775) 328-3001.
Marriage, Divorce, and Probate Records
Three offices share the work. The Washoe County Clerk issues marriage licenses. The Washoe County Recorder receives the proof of marriage from the officiant within 10 days after the ceremony and sells certified copies. The Family Division of the Second Judicial District Court handles divorce, with copies through court Records Request. For full coverage see marriage and divorce records and probate records.
The marriage license bureau page at washoecounty.gov/clerks/mlb sets the fee and the in-person rule.
The recorder portal at washoecounty.gov/recorder covers proof-of-marriage copies, deeds, and recorded liens.
Both pages list the office hours and the certified-copy fee.
- Testator
- The person who signed a will and whose estate the probate court will open.
- Executor / Personal Representative
- The person the court appoints to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate.
- Intestate
- A death with no valid will. Nevada law sets the order of heirs in that case.
- Guardianship
- A court order that gives one person legal authority over an adult or a minor who cannot act for themselves.
Washoe County Court Records Fees
Filing and copy fees come from state statute and the county fee schedule. The Reno Justice Court records-research form, citing NRS 4.060, charges $1.00 per name per year. The Second Judicial District Court charges $0.50 per name per year for search staff time. The County Clerk fee schedule sits at washoecounty.gov/clerks/fees.php with the items below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plain copy per page (clerk) | $0.50 |
| Certification | $6.00 |
| Certificate of Search | $6.00 |
| Marriage License Application | $85.00 |
| Marriage Solemnization | $75.00 |
| Recorder certified copy of marriage record | $15.00 |
| Recorder plain copy of marriage record | $1.00 |
| District Court records search (per name/year) | $0.50 |
| Justice Court records research (per name/year) | $1.00 |
The clerk accepts cash, credit card, money order, cashier's check, or traveler's check. A credit-card processing fee of 2% plus $0.25 may apply.
How to Read Washoe County Court Records
Docket entries are short. Each line names an event and an outcome. "AGR" stands for Agreement Reached. "D110 Admit" means a defendant admitted a charge. "Bench Warrant Issued" means a judge ordered the person picked up, often for a missed court date. "Continued" means a hearing moved to another day. A charge is not the same as a conviction. Charges show what the state filed; convictions show what the judge or jury found at the end.
The calendar search has its own vocabulary for events. Arraignment is the first hearing where the court reads charges and takes a plea. A change-of-plea hearing locks in a deal between the defense and the District Attorney. A sentencing hearing imposes the punishment. A TRO hearing decides a temporary restraining order. A writ of habeas corpus tests the legal basis for custody. The screenshot below is the Calendar Search.
Use it to map a case's hearing path from filing to disposition.
Accuracy and Record Limitations
The portal warns that its data is for general use only. The court endeavors to keep it correct but makes no warranty about completeness, accuracy, reliability, or availability. Recent filings can take a day or two to post. Sealed or confidential files may not appear at all. Old paper files from before the case-management system may need a clerk to pull a microfilm or archive box.
Note: Always confirm a court date or disposition with the clerk's office at (775) 328-3110 before you act on a portal result.
Courthouse Security and What to Bring
The sheriff's office screens every person who enters a Second Judicial District Court building. Weapons, glass bottles, scissors, metal forks, knitting needles, and crochet hooks are not allowed. Cell phones must stay off in any courtroom. Smoking and vaping are barred inside the building and within 50 feet of any entrance. The full rules sit at washoecourts.com/AttendingCourt.
The page lists the drop box near security and the courtroom decorum rules.
History of Washoe County Courts
Washoe County was set up in 1861, one of Nevada's original counties. The first county seat sat in Washoe City. An 1871 election moved the seat to Reno, where it has stayed. The current historic courthouse at 75 Court Street was built across the 1890–1910 period, with three additions over the next century. The grand jury rooms and the formal courtrooms run along Virginia Street; the old jail wing along Sierra Street now holds the county law library.
Reno's historic identity also drove court records traffic for decades. The county's marriage and divorce volume helped shape the County Clerk and Recorder operations that still serve residents today. Recent reforms include the 2023 Competency Court and the move to electronic probate filing through eFlex.
Courthouse Contact and Hours
The general court line is (775) 328-3110. Records Request is recordreq@washoecourts.us. The probate desk is (775) 328-3100 or ProbateDept@washoecourts.us. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., minus state holidays. The ADA accommodation contact at Court Administration is (775) 328-3194 or courtadmin@washoecourts.us. The county law library and self-help center are on the first floor of the historic courthouse, phone (775) 328-3250.
Where do most Washoe County court searches start?
Most people start at the Second Judicial District Court portal with a party name or case number. Traffic and citation searches start at the Reno Justice Court site instead. Jail custody searches start at the sheriff's roster.
Are Washoe County court records free?
Case-level search on the public portal is free. Document downloads inside the portal can require a paid eFlex subscription. Certified copies and staff search time carry the statutory fees in the table above. See the FAQ for the full breakdown.