Nevada became the 36th state to join the Union on October 31, 1864. With a population of approximately 2.7 million residents, it ranks as the 35th most populous state in the nation. Geographically, however, Nevada is expansive—covering more than 110,000 square miles, it is the 7th largest state by land area.
The state originally formed with 9 counties, but by 1919 the total grew to 16 counties, the most recent addition being Humboldt County. These counties serve as local government units, conducting elections, passing ordinances, and managing various public services and agencies to serve Nevada residents.
Nevada has a long-standing commitment to government transparency. The Nevada Open Records Act, enacted in 1911, guarantees the public's right to access state and local government documents and records. Under this law:
Anyone can request public records without needing to state a reason
All government agencies must comply, except where exemptions are clearly defined by statute
Requests are commonly made by private individuals, journalists, researchers, and businesses
These laws ensure residents can stay informed about their government’s activities and operations.
Background checks in Nevada typically involve a variety of public records, especially those related to criminal history. Key resources include:
Criminal history searches from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, covering felonies and misdemeanors
Driving records from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which offer 3-year and 10-year histories, often required for employment in certain sectors
District court records, including:
Divorce cases
Civil judgments
Juvenile proceedings
Criminal trial details
Most of these records can be accessed online, with many available for immediate download or through official request forms.
Nevada makes a wide range of asset and ownership information available to the public:
Real estate records through county assessor databases, including ownership details, property valuations, and parcel information
Business ownership and corporate filings from the Nevada Secretary of State, searchable for free and including data such as:
Company officers
Registered agents
Principal addresses
Financial filings
Bankruptcy case records available through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system, which includes asset disclosures, liabilities, and court actions
These resources are valuable for conducting due diligence, legal research, or personal investigations.
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are maintained by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. In addition:
Marriage and divorce documents can be requested from county recorder offices
County offices also maintain public documents such as:
Liens
Foreclosures
Affidavits
Official forms and instructions for obtaining these records are often available online.
Nevada offers free and instant access to several public safety databases, including:
Registered sex offender lists by geographic area
Most Wanted lists provided by law enforcement agencies
Inmate locator tools for the Nevada Department of Corrections, allowing users to track incarcerated individuals statewide
Navigating Nevada’s public records can be challenging without an understanding of the state’s decentralized system. Records are maintained across multiple agencies at both the state and county levels.
PublicRecordCenter simplifies the process by offering:
A comprehensive, up-to-date directory of official Nevada public record sources
Descriptions of each agency’s role
Free downloadable forms
Step-by-step instructions for submitting record requests
Whether you're conducting a background check, verifying business ownership, or seeking court or vital records, PublicRecordCenter provides the tools and guidance to access accurate information efficiently.
