Broken Bow, Nebraska Public Records

The Custer County Court, also located at the Custer County Courthouse (phone: 308-872-5701), serves as the lower trial court handling misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims up to $3,900, civil cases under $60,000, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and protection orders. Broken Bow does not operate a separate municipal court; all city ordinance violations are prosecuted through the County Court system. Nebraska court records can be searched online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's public access system at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/ and the statewide case search portal. The Nebraska Supreme Court also maintains appellate opinions and dockets online. For Custer County cases, many records are available through the state system, though some older documents may require in-person visits to the courthouse. Certified copies of court documents are available from the Clerk of the District Court for a fee of $1.50 per page for the first ten pages and $0.50 per page thereafter, plus a $3.00 certification fee. Case filing fees vary: civil complaints in District Court cost $158, small claims filing is $46, and criminal cases have no filing fee as they are prosecuted by the state. Marriage licenses cost $15. Copies of marriage certificates cost $7 for non-certified and $10 for certified copies. Many records are available for public inspection during courthouse hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Property owners can search assessment records in person at the Assessor's office during regular business hours. The office provides parcel information, sales data, and assessment history. Custer County participates in Nebraska's property tax system where assessments are conducted annually at 100% of market value as of January 1st each year. The Custer County Register of Deeds, also located at 431 South 10th Avenue in the Courthouse (phone: 308-872-5703), records and maintains all documents affecting real property titles including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens, easements, assignments, powers of attorney, military discharges (DD-214s), and other instruments. The Register of Deeds provides certified copies of recorded documents for $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification. Recording fees are $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. The office maintains grantor/grantee indexes dating back to Custer County's organization in 1877. While Custer County does not currently offer full property records online, property searches can be conducted in person at the Register of Deeds office using the public index books and computer terminal. The County Assessor's office can provide ownership and parcel information by phone or in-person request. Some property information may be available through third-party websites, though official records require courthouse access. The county does not currently maintain a public GIS parcel viewer, so property boundary information requires plat book consultation at the courthouse.

Melham Memorial Medical Center (Custer County Health Services), a critical access hospital located at 545 South 8th Avenue, serves as the primary healthcare provider for the region and employs over 200 medical professionals, nurses, and support staff. Broken Bow Public Schools, serving approximately 800 students in pre-K through 12th grade, employs roughly 120 teachers, administrators, and staff members, making it one of the area's largest employers. Agriculture dominates Custer County's economy, with Broken Bow serving as a supply and service hub for area ranchers and farmers. Cattle ranching represents the largest agricultural sector, with thousands of acres devoted to grazing and hay production. Corn, soybeans, and wheat farming contribute significantly to the local economy. Agricultural support businesses including farm implement dealers, seed companies, veterinary services, livestock auction facilities, and grain elevators provide employment and services. The median household income for Broken Bow is estimated at approximately $52,000-$58,000, slightly below the Nebraska state median but reflecting the rural agricultural economy. Retail trade along Highway 2 and the downtown business district includes grocery stores, hardware stores, farm supply outlets, automotive dealers, restaurants, and professional services. Recent economic development has focused on maintaining the downtown commercial district, supporting local businesses, and promoting Broken Bow as a recreational destination with access to hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in the surrounding Sandhills region. The city's economy remains relatively stable, supported by its governmental functions as county seat, healthcare services, education, and its role as a regional center for Nebraska's cattle country.

The Broken Bow Police Department, located at 816 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow, NE 68822 (phone: 308-872-2445), provides law enforcement services within city limits. Citizens can request police reports and incident records in person during regular business hours or by written request submitted to the department. The department maintains records of arrests, accidents, incident reports, and calls for service. For areas outside Broken Bow city limits, the Custer County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 431 South 10th Avenue in the Custer County Courthouse, Broken Bow, NE 68822 (phone: 308-872-5701), provides law enforcement services throughout the county's 2,576 square miles. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol duties, civil process service, court security, and operates the Custer County Detention Facility.

Arrest and jail booking information for Custer County can be obtained by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly at 308-872-5701. Current inmate information including names, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts is available by phone inquiry during business hours. Nebraska does not maintain a centralized statewide online inmate search, so records must be requested from the local facility. Under Nebraska's public records law, specifically the Nebraska Public Records Statutes (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 to 84-712.09), citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records unless specifically exempted. Arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports are generally considered public records. Requests should be made in writing, and agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying. The law requires agencies to respond promptly, typically within four business days, though complex requests may take longer. Certain information such as ongoing investigations, victim identities in sensitive cases, and juvenile records may be withheld under statutory exemptions.

Eligible applicants can order online through VitalChek for expedited processing with additional fees. Standard processing time is approximately 4-6 weeks by mail. Nebraska birth records are available from 1904 forward, though earlier records exist for some counties. Only parents, the individual (if 18+), legal representatives, and others with tangible interest can request birth certificates. Death certificates require the applicant to be an immediate family member, legal representative, or demonstrate legal need. Marriage licenses for Broken Bow residents are issued by the Custer County Clerk, located at 431 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow, NE 68822 (phone: 308-872-5701). The marriage license fee is $15, and there is no waiting period in Nebraska. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. Marriage licenses are valid for one year from issuance. The County Clerk maintains marriage records from the time of county organization in 1877. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each from the County Clerk or $17 from the state office. Divorce records are court documents maintained by the Custer County District Court (phone: 308-872-5601) where the divorce was granted. Divorce decrees can be obtained from the Clerk of the District Court for standard copying fees ($1.50 per page plus $3.00 certification). The state vital records office also maintains a divorce index but does not issue certified copies of divorce decrees. Nebraska law requires proper identification and relationship documentation for all vital record requests, with stricter requirements implemented under state privacy statutes.

Renewals are typically annual on a calendar year basis. Business owners can inquire about current licensed businesses by contacting City Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. At the county level, certain business activities may require permits from Custer County offices. Fictitious business name filings (doing business as or DBA registrations) in Nebraska are handled through the county where the business operates. For Custer County, these filings are submitted to the Custer County Clerk at 431 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow, NE 68822 (phone: 308-872-5701). The registration fee is approximately $50 for a five-year term, with publication in a local newspaper required. State-level business entity searches are conducted through the Nebraska Secretary of State's office. Corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities must register with the state. The Nebraska Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search at https://www.sos.ne.gov/business/corp_serv/corpsearch/search.cgi where users can search by business name, registered agent, or corporation number to find status, filing date, registered agent information, and officers/directors. Business filing documents can be requested from the Secretary of State's office at 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508 (phone: 402-471-4079). UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches for secured transactions are also handled by the Nebraska Secretary of State's office, with searches available online through their website. Property tax information for commercial properties in Broken Bow can be obtained from the Custer County Assessor's Office (phone: 308-872-5702), which maintains records of assessed values for all taxable business personal property and real estate. Commercial property owners receive annual assessment notices and can appeal valuations through the county Board of Equalization.

Broken Bow voters are served by the Custer County Clerk/Election Commissioner, located at 431 South 10th Avenue in the Custer County Courthouse, Broken Bow, NE 68822 (phone: 308-872-5701). The County Clerk administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Custer County residents, maintains voter registration records, processes absentee ballot applications, recruits and trains poll workers, and certifies election results. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for voter registration and election services.

Nebraska residents can register to vote online through the Nebraska Secretary of State's website at https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration/ or by completing a voter registration application available at the County Clerk's office, public libraries, DMV offices, and various state agencies. Voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the election date, and residents of Nebraska. The voter registration deadline is the third Friday before any election (17 days prior for mail registration; same-day registration is available in person at early voting locations and on Election Day with proper documentation). Acceptable forms of ID for registration include a Nebraska driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Nebraska does not require photo ID to vote at the polls; voters sign the register and are given a ballot.

Broken Bow, as an incorporated city, conducts municipal elections for mayor and city council positions. The City of Broken Bow operates under a mayor-council form of government with the mayor and four council members elected on a nonpartisan basis. Municipal elections are typically held on the first Tuesday in May (Nebraska's uniform municipal election date) every four years for mayor and on staggered terms for council seats. The next Broken Bow municipal election is scheduled for May 2025 for city council seats, with the mayoral election in 2027. Information about candidates, filing deadlines, and local ballot issues can be obtained from the Broken Bow City Clerk at City Hall (308-872-5850) or the County Clerk's office.

Broken Bow voters can find their assigned polling location by contacting the Custer County Clerk at 308-872-5701, checking their voter registration card mailed before each election, or using the polling place lookup tool on the Nebraska Secretary of State's website at https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview. Custer County typically operates approximately 20 polling places throughout the county, with Broken Bow residents voting at locations such as the Event Center, various schools, and community buildings depending on their precinct.

Nebraska public records law makes various election records accessible to the public. Voter registration lists are available for purchase from county election offices for political purposes at a cost of $0.50 per 100 names. Campaign finance reports for candidates and committees are filed with and available from the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission at https://nadc.nebraska.gov. Candidate filing information, ballot language, and precinct-level election results are public records maintained by the County Clerk and Secretary of State. In the November 2024 presidential election, Custer County reported approximately 5,200 ballots cast from roughly 7,100 registered voters, representing a turnout of approximately 73%, consistent with rural Nebraska's typically high voter participation rates.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Broken Bow and Custer County voters will decide several significant races. Nebraska voters will elect a Governor and Lieutenant Governor (as incumbent Governor Jim Pillen's term expires in 2027), all state constitutional officers including Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Auditor. Nebraska's unicameral Legislature (state senators) serves four-year terms on a nonpartisan basis, with half the seats up for election every two years; District 38, which includes Custer County, will be on the ballot in 2026. County offices up for election in 2026 include all Custer County Commissioners (staggered terms), County Clerk, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, County Attorney, County Assessor, and other county positions on four-year cycles. While U.S. Senate elections in Nebraska occur in 2024 and 2026 cycles, 2026 will not feature a Nebraska U.S. Senate race as both seats are on different cycles. Nebraska's three U.S. House seats are elected every two years; Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District, which includes all of Custer County, will be on the 2026 ballot. Local school board positions and any special district elections may also appear on the ballot.

Nebraska offers early voting beginning 30 days before Election Day at the County Clerk's office and designated early voting locations, available Monday through Friday during business hours and the Saturday before the election. Voters can request absentee/mail-in ballots by submitting a written application to the Custer County Clerk by the second Friday before Election Day. Applications are available at https://sos.nebraska.gov or from the County Clerk's office. Absentee ballots are mailed to voters who are unable to vote in person due to absence from the county, illness, disability, or other qualifying reasons. Military and overseas voters can request ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or delivered in person to the County Clerk's office by 8:00 PM on Election Day.