Murray, Nebraska Public Records

The Cass County County Court, also located at 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, phone (402) 296-9310, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases under $60,000, small claims (up to $3,900), and preliminary hearings for felonies. Murray does not maintain a separate municipal court; all judicial matters are processed through the county court system. Nebraska offers online access to court records through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's public access portal at www.nebraska.gov/justice, where users can search civil, criminal, traffic, and probate cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The system provides case summaries, filing dates, dispositions, and upcoming court dates, though some confidential records (juvenile, mental health, certain family law matters) are restricted. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of the District Court at a fee of $1.50 per page plus $1.00 for certification. Document searches conducted by court staff are subject to a $7.00 research fee per name or case number, with additional hourly fees for extensive searches. Money orders or cashier's checks are preferred for payment, though exact fee schedules should be verified by contacting the Clerk's office directly, as fees are subject to periodic updates under Nebraska Supreme Court rules.

The online system displays current assessed values, legal descriptions, property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size), tax district information, and assessment history. Property record cards with detailed building information and photographs can typically be viewed online or obtained in person. The Cass County Register of Deeds, also located at 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, phone (402) 296-9314, records and maintains all land transaction documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens (tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens), easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property title. Nebraska law requires these documents to be recorded to provide constructive notice and establish priority of interests in real property. The Register of Deeds maintains an online document search system accessible through the county website, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, date range, or legal description. Many counties in Nebraska, including Cass County, now provide free online access to scanned images of recorded documents dating back multiple decades. The office charges recording fees based on document type and page count, typically $17.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. Cass County also offers a GIS mapping system through the county website at gis.cassne.org, providing interactive parcel maps with overlay capabilities for zoning, flood plains, soil types, and aerial imagery, helping property owners and researchers visualize property boundaries and surrounding land use.

While Murray itself has limited commercial development, its proximity to Plattsmouth (15 miles northeast) and the Omaha metropolitan area (25 miles north) means many residents commute to jobs in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, government, and professional services. The median household income in Murray has historically tracked slightly below the Cass County median of approximately $68,000-$72,000, with many households deriving income from both agricultural operations and off-farm employment. Recent years have seen modest residential development as the village attracts families seeking affordable housing and small-town living while maintaining access to Omaha's employment opportunities via Highway 75. The local economy benefits from Murray's location along a major north-south transportation corridor and its position within the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan statistical area, though the village retains its rural agricultural character. Small businesses including a post office, convenience stores, and service providers serve daily needs of residents, while most retail shopping and specialized services require travel to Plattsmouth, Bellevue, or Omaha. Agricultural land values in the area have remained relatively stable, supporting continued farming operations as the primary economic base.

The Village of Murray does not maintain its own municipal police department. Law enforcement services for Murray are provided by the Cass County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, phone (402) 296-9300. The Sheriff's Office has countywide jurisdiction and handles all patrol, criminal investigations, and emergency response for Murray and surrounding unincorporated areas of Cass County. Their website at www.cassne.org provides information on services, though police reports and incident records must be requested in person or by written request to the Sheriff's Office. Arrest records and jail booking information for Cass County are available through the Cass County Detention Facility roster, accessible online at the county website. The inmate roster typically displays current detainees' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. For historical arrest records or detailed incident reports, residents must submit a written public records request under Nebraska Revised Statute 84-712 et seq., which establishes the state's Public Records Act. This statute requires government agencies to make public records available for inspection and copying during normal business hours, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, protected personal information, and certain confidential records. The Sheriff's Office may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time in compiling requested records. Requesters should be prepared to provide specific information about the incident or individual, including dates, names, and case numbers when available. The Nebraska State Patrol also maintains statewide criminal history records accessible through their website at statepatrol.nebraska.gov, though complete criminal background checks require fingerprinting and are subject to additional regulations under state law.

Applicants must complete the appropriate application form, provide valid photo identification, and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record (Nebraska is a closed-record state, restricting access to immediate family members, legal representatives, and parties with court orders). Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional processing fees. Standard processing time is approximately 4-6 weeks; expedited service (3-5 business days) costs an additional $20.00. Nebraska began statewide registration of births and deaths in 1904, though some records exist from earlier years. Marriage licenses are issued by the Cass County Clerk, located at the Cass County Courthouse, 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, phone (402) 296-9300. The marriage license fee is $15.00, and there is no waiting period or blood test required in Nebraska. Applicants must apply in person at the County Clerk's office with valid photo identification and knowledge of parents' names and birthplaces. The license is valid for one year from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $15.00 and can be obtained from the County Clerk. Divorce records are filed with the Cass County District Court Clerk at the same courthouse address; certified copies of divorce decrees cost $1.50 per page plus certification fees. Divorce case files may contain additional confidential information subject to court-imposed sealing orders.

Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) are filed with the Cass County Clerk at the Cass County Courthouse, 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, phone (402) 296-9300. The filing fee is typically $100.00 for the initial registration, valid for ten years. Trade name registrations provide public notice of business ownership and are searchable through the County Clerk's office, though availability of online searching varies. For formal business entity formation—corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations—registration is required with the Nebraska Secretary of State. The Secretary of State's Business Services Division, located at 1301 State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone (402) 471-4079, maintains the state's business entity database accessible online at www.sos.nebraska.gov/business. The searchable database allows free public lookup of business entity names, registered agents, officers/managers, formation dates, status (active/dissolved), and filing history. Corporation formation costs $100.00 plus $10.00 for filing the Certificate of Incorporation; LLC formation costs $100.00 plus $10.00 for filing the Articles of Organization. Annual reports are required for all business entities with fees of $10.00-$26.00 depending on entity type. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which establish secured creditor interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with and searchable through the Nebraska Secretary of State's UCC Division at www.sos.nebraska.gov/business/ucc. Business property owners in Murray can look up commercial property assessments and tax information through the Cass County Assessor's online database at www.cassne.org/assessor, searchable by property address or parcel number, showing current assessed values used for property tax calculations.

Murray voters are served by the Cass County Clerk/Election Commissioner, located at the Cass County Courthouse, 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, phone (402) 296-9300. The Election Commissioner administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for Murray residents, including voter registration, absentee voting, polling place assignments, and official canvassing of results. Nebraska voters can register online at www.nebraska.gov/sos/voter-registration or by submitting a completed voter registration application to the County Clerk/Election Commissioner. The registration deadline is the third Friday before any election (17 days prior for mail registration; online registration closes at 6:00 PM the second Friday before election day). Voters must provide a Nebraska driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Murray conducts municipal elections for Village Board trustees on a staggered schedule, typically in odd-numbered years during the May general election. The Village Board consists of a board chair (mayor) and trustees elected to four-year terms. The next regularly scheduled village election will be in May 2025 for certain board positions. Murray residents can find their assigned polling place by contacting the County Election Commissioner or using the polling place lookup tool at the Nebraska Secretary of State website, www.sos.nebraska.gov/elections. Murray typically has one polling location within village limits, often at the Murray Fire Hall or Community Building. In the November 2024 general election, Cass County reported voter turnout of approximately 72-75% of registered voters, reflecting strong participation in the presidential election. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Murray and Cass County voters will decide several important races: the Nebraska gubernatorial election (Governor Jim Pillen's seat is up in 2026), one of Nebraska's U.S. Senate seats (if the Class II seat is up), the statewide constitutional offices (Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Auditor), Nebraska Legislature District 1 (which includes Murray), and various county offices including County Commissioner, County Sheriff, County Clerk, County Assessor, and County Attorney. Nebraska public records law makes voter registration lists publicly available for purchase through the Secretary of State (though with restrictions on commercial use), and campaign finance reports are searchable online at the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission website, www.nadc.nebraska.gov. Candidate filings, precinct-level election results, and voter turnout statistics are public records maintained by the County Election Commissioner and Secretary of State. Nebraska voters may request early voting (in-person absentee voting) beginning 35 days before any election at the County Election Commissioner's office in Plattsmouth. Mail-in absentee ballots are available upon request for voters who will be absent from the county on election day, are unable to vote due to illness or disability, or are serving as election workers in a precinct other than their own; applications must be received by the second Friday before election day (or closer to election day for emergency situations). Absentee ballot request forms are available at www.sos.nebraska.gov/elections or by contacting the Cass County Election Commissioner at (402) 296-9300.