Nebraska is an open records state, and most criminal history information is public -- but with a set of statutory time limits that automatically remove certain non-conviction arrest data from public view. Nebraska Revised Statute 29-3523 creates three specific windows: no-charge arrests drop from public access after one year, diversion arrests after two years, and arrests that result in dismissed charges are removed immediately upon dismissal. What remains public is the RAP sheet -- the Record of Arrest and Prosecution -- maintained by the Nebraska State Patrol and available for $30 per search. Nebraska's relief framework for convictions is a set-aside under NRS 29-2264, not expungement: the conviction becomes void but the underlying record is not destroyed. This guide covers how the full system works.
What Makes Nebraska Arrest Records Public
Nebraska's public records framework is governed by the Nebraska Public Records Law at Nebraska Revised Statute 84-712.01. Criminal history records are addressed specifically in the Nebraska Criminal History Information Act at NRS 29-3520 and following. Nebraska is an open records state, meaning criminal records are generally available to the public.
The Nebraska State Patrol serves as the central repository for criminal history record information and maintains the Records of Arrest and Prosecution (RAP) system. The RAP sheet is fingerprint-based -- a person must have been fingerprinted at the time of arrest for the information to appear on a RAP sheet result.
Nebraska Revised Statute 29-3523 establishes specific exceptions to public access. Three situations result in criminal history record information being withheld from public dissemination:
An arrest that results in no charges filed: the notation is removed from public view after one year from the date of arrest.
An arrest that results in unfiled charges due to completion of a diversion program: removed from public access after two years from the date of arrest.
An arrest that results in filed charges subsequently dismissed through a court hearing or by the prosecutor: removed from public access immediately upon dismissal.
Outside these three scenarios, arrest and prosecution information remains public. Juvenile records are confidential. Identities of sexual crime victims are protected.
What a Nebraska RAP Sheet Contains
A RAP sheet -- Record of Arrest and Prosecution -- is the central criminal history document in Nebraska. It is fingerprint-based, meaning only arrests where the person was fingerprinted appear in results.
A Nebraska RAP sheet includes personal identifying information: full name, date of birth, sex, and race. It includes arrest data for each fingerprinted arrest: the arresting agency, date of arrest, charges filed, and all dispositions reported by courts and prosecutors. Both misdemeanor and felony arrest information appears when properly reported and not excluded by NRS 29-3523.
Non-fingerprinted arrests may exist at the local law enforcement agency level and will not appear in a RAP sheet result.
How to Search Nebraska Arrest Records
The Nebraska State Patrol's online RAP sheet request system is the primary public tool, accessible at nebraska.gov/apps-nsp-limited-criminal. You must provide the person's first name, last name, date of birth, sex, and race. Social Security number, driver's license number, and address are optional but can improve accuracy. The fee is $30 per person, regardless of outcome. Payment by credit card is accepted online.
Mail-in and in-person requests are also available through the NSP Criminal Identification Division.
Some sources cite a lower fee (approximately $15.50) for mail requests -- confirm the current fee structure with the NSP directly at the time of request.
The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides the JUSTICE system, a free public online case search tool. JUSTICE allows searching court records by name across Nebraska's court system and is useful for case-level charge and disposition information beyond what the RAP sheet returns. Access through the Nebraska Courts website at nebraska.gov/justice.
County sheriff offices are the practical starting point for recent arrests. Nebraska has 93 counties and each county sheriff maintains local booking records. Most county sheriff offices publish online inmate rosters or booking information. For anyone arrested recently, the relevant county sheriff's website or a direct call to the jail is the fastest route.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Nebraska's 93 counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the Nebraska DOC system and many county facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in Nebraska
Nebraska's 93 counties each operate detention facilities. County jails hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving shorter sentences. Online booking information availability varies by county -- Lancaster County, for example, maintains an online warrant list with photos, charges, and agencies.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services system. The NDCS provides a free online inmate search accessible at corrections.nebraska.gov. You can search by name, DCS number, or date of birth. Results include the person's facility, conviction details, and incarceration status.
Federal Arrests in Nebraska
Federal arrests in Nebraska are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. After federal sentencing, individuals enter the Bureau of Prisons rather than the Nebraska DOC.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the NSP RAP sheet system.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Nebraska's 29-3523 time limits specifically address when non-conviction arrest entries are removed from public access, which means the ongoing public visibility of an entry depends on both the outcome and how much time has passed.
For arrests that did result in conviction, no automatic removal applies -- the conviction entry remains on the public RAP sheet indefinitely unless the person obtains a set-aside under NRS 29-2264.
Nebraska's Set-Aside Law -- NRS 29-2264
Nebraska does not have a traditional expungement law. The state's primary relief mechanism is the set-aside, governed by Nebraska Revised Statute 29-2264.
Eligibility: A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony who was placed on probation and who satisfactorily fulfilled all conditions of probation for the entire period, or was discharged early from probation, may petition the court to set aside the conviction. Persons sentenced to a fine only (without probation) may also be eligible. The petition is filed in the sentencing court.
Effect of set-aside: When a court grants a set-aside, the conviction is rendered void. The person is released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction with certain exceptions. However, the record of the conviction is not destroyed. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and the Board of Pardons retain access to set-aside records for subsequent proceedings.
The set-aside is court-discretionary -- the judge decides whether to grant it. There is no guarantee of a set-aside even for eligible persons.
For more serious relief -- full pardon -- the Nebraska Board of Pardons processes applications. A pardon removes legal consequences of conviction but also does not destroy the record.
The Board of Pardons route is the path for persons sentenced to prison (not probation), as NRS 29-2264 applies specifically to probation completers.
InmateAid's guides on expungement and record relief cover Nebraska's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Nebraska arrest records public?
Yes, under the Nebraska Public Records Law at NRS 84-712.01 and the Nebraska Criminal History Information Act at NRS 29-3520. However, NRS 29-3523 creates automatic public access limits: no-charge arrests are removed after one year, diversion arrests after two years, and dismissed-charge arrests are removed immediately. Juvenile records and sexual crime victim identities are protected.
How do I search Nebraska arrest records?
The NSP RAP sheet request system at nebraska.gov/apps-nsp-limited-criminal provides name-based fingerprint-verified searches for $30 per person (first name, last name, date of birth, sex, and race required). The Nebraska JUSTICE system at nebraska.gov/justice provides free public court case records by name. For recent arrests, check the relevant county sheriff's website. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For real-time custody status, VINELink at vinelink.com provides free notifications. For NDCS state prison inmates, use the search at corrections.nebraska.gov.
What does a Nebraska RAP sheet contain?
A Nebraska RAP sheet is fingerprint-based and includes personal identifying information, arrest data for each fingerprinted arrest (arresting agency, date, charges), and all dispositions reported by courts and prosecutors. Only arrests where the person was fingerprinted appear. Arrests removed by NRS 29-3523 time limits do not appear in public RAP results.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Nebraska?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. Nebraska specifically limits public access to certain non-conviction arrest records through NRS 29-3523 -- dismissals are removed immediately, no-charge arrests after one year, and diversion arrests after two years. Conviction records remain on the public RAP sheet unless a set-aside is obtained.
How do I find someone in a Nebraska county jail?
Check the county sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. Nebraska's 93 counties maintain their own booking records and many publish online rosters. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many Nebraska facilities and provides free notification registration. For someone sentenced to state prison, use the NDCS inmate search at corrections.nebraska.gov.
Can I search federal arrest records in Nebraska?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the NSP RAP sheet system.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Nebraska?
Conviction-based arrest entries remain on the public RAP sheet indefinitely absent a set-aside. Non-conviction entries are subject to NRS 29-3523 automatic limits: no charges after one year, diversion completion after two years, and dismissed charges removed immediately. All entries remain in law enforcement files regardless of public access status.
What records are removed from public view in Nebraska?
Under NRS 29-3523, three categories are removed from public dissemination: arrests resulting in no charges after one year; arrests resolved through diversion after two years; and arrests where charges were filed but subsequently dismissed, removed immediately upon dismissal. These removals apply to public access -- the underlying records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies.
What is Nebraska's set-aside law?
Nebraska Revised Statute 29-2264 allows persons who completed probation for a misdemeanor or felony conviction, or who were sentenced to a fine only, to petition the sentencing court to set aside the conviction. A granted set-aside renders the conviction void and removes most legal disabilities. The court has discretion to grant or deny the petition. The record is not destroyed -- law enforcement and courts retain access. Persons sentenced to prison rather than probation must pursue a pardon through the Nebraska Board of Pardons instead.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
If an arrest is appearing on a background check but there was no conviction, check whether the case falls under NRS 29-3523's automatic removal provisions -- dismissed charges should already be removed from the public RAP sheet, and no-charge arrests drop after one year. If the entry is still showing up, it may be sourced from the local arresting agency or from third-party data aggregators that captured the record before the removal period applied. The NSP RAP sheet itself should reflect the 29-3523 restrictions. ---
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