Tekamah, Nebraska Public Records

The District Court of Burt County, also located at the Burt County Courthouse at 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061 (phone: 402-374-2955), has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases over $59,000, domestic relations including divorce and custody, real property disputes, and appeals from County Court. Tekamah does not maintain a separate municipal court; violations of city ordinances are typically handled in County Court. Court records can be searched online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's public access system at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/ and through the statewide case search portal, which provides case information, party names, case status, and docket entries for cases filed in Nebraska courts. Some records may be sealed or restricted from online viewing. For certified copies of court documents, requests must be made to the Clerk of the District Court at the courthouse. Filing fees vary by case type; as of recent schedules, civil filing fees in District Court are approximately $158, small claims filing fees are approximately $58, and certified copy fees are typically $1.50 per page plus a base certification fee. Probate filing fees and other court costs are set by Nebraska statute and updated periodically.

Property owners can search assessment records online through the Burt County Assessor's website or Nebraska's statewide property search systems, where available, by entering a property address, parcel number, or owner name. Assessment information is public record and includes details such as land value, improvement value, total assessed value, property class, and acreage. The Burt County Register of Deeds, also located at 111 North 13th Street in the Courthouse (phone: 402-374-2955), is responsible for recording and maintaining land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, plats, and other documents affecting real property title. Nebraska law requires most real property documents to be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to provide public notice. Some counties in Nebraska participate in online searchable databases of recorded documents, though availability varies by county; interested parties should check with the Register of Deeds to determine if Burt County offers online document search and viewing, or if records must be searched in person at the courthouse. Recording fees are established by state statute and typically include a base fee plus per-page charges. Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Register of Deeds for a statutory fee. The county may also maintain a GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewer providing mapped property boundaries, though this varies by county resources and should be confirmed with county offices.

Burt County government, headquartered in Tekamah as the county seat, provides employment through the courthouse, sheriff's office, road department, and various county offices. Healthcare services are provided by smaller clinics, with residents typically traveling to larger facilities in Blair, Fremont, or Omaha for major medical needs. Retail businesses, agricultural services, grain elevators, farm equipment dealers, and local professional services (legal, accounting, insurance) provide additional employment. The median household income in Tekamah is estimated in the range of $45,000-$55,000 based on recent census estimates, somewhat below the state average but reflective of small-town rural Nebraska economies. Like many small Nebraska towns, Tekamah has experienced modest population decline from its peak in the mid-20th century as agricultural mechanization reduced farm employment and younger residents migrated to larger urban areas. However, the city maintains its role as Burt County's governmental and commercial center. Tekamah's proximity to Omaha, approximately 60 miles south via Highway 75, provides some economic connection to the metropolitan area while preserving its small-town agricultural character. Recent economic development efforts have focused on maintaining downtown vitality, supporting local businesses, and leveraging tourism related to the area's history and outdoor recreation opportunities along the Missouri River valley.

The Tekamah Police Department, located at 202 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061 (phone: 402-374-2900), provides law enforcement services within city limits. Police reports and incident records can be requested in person at the police department or through written requests submitted to the department. The Burt County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061 (phone: 402-374-2900), provides law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of Burt County and operates the county detention facility. The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over the entire county and assists municipal police departments when needed. Arrest records and jail booking information for Burt County can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. Current inmates and recent bookings may be viewable through the county jail roster, which typically includes inmate names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshot photographs when available. To request copies of arrest reports, incident reports, or other law enforcement records, requests should be submitted under Nebraska's Public Records Statutes, specifically Nebraska Revised Statutes §84-712 through §84-712.09, which grant the public the right to examine public records unless specifically exempted by law. Records custodians have up to four business days to respond to requests. Some records may be withheld if they are part of ongoing criminal investigations or contain information exempted under state law. Fees for copies may apply and typically include a per-page charge for paper copies. Requesters should provide as much detail as possible about the records sought, including dates, case numbers, names of individuals involved, and incident locations to facilitate efficient record retrieval.

The current fee for a certified birth certificate is $17 for the first copy and $13 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $16 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests and faster for online orders (additional expedite fees apply). Birth records in Nebraska are restricted; only eligible applicants such as the registrant (if of legal age), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or legal representatives may obtain certified copies. Death certificates are generally available to immediate family members and those with a documented legal interest. Marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Burt County are issued by the Burt County Clerk's office, located at 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061 (phone: 402-374-2955). The marriage license fee in Nebraska is set by state law and applicants must appear in person to apply. There is no waiting period in Nebraska, and the license is valid for one year from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk for a statutory fee. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Clerk of the District Court at the Burt County Courthouse at 111 North 13th Street; certified copies of divorce decrees can be requested from the court for a fee, typically $1.50 per page plus certification charges.

For businesses operating in unincorporated Burt County, county-level regulations and permits may apply; contact the Burt County Clerk at 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061 (phone: 402-374-2955) for information on county business requirements. Trade names and fictitious business names (doing business as or DBA registrations) in Nebraska are filed with the county where the business operates; businesses using a name other than the owner's legal name should file with the Burt County Register of Deeds. At the state level, business entity formation and registration is handled by the Nebraska Secretary of State, Corporation Division, located at 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508. The Secretary of State maintains the official registry of corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities authorized to conduct business in Nebraska. The public can search business entities online at https://www.nebraska.gov/sos/ using the Business Entity Search database, which provides information on entity name, status (active, dissolved, cancelled), date of formation, registered agent name and address, principal office address, and officers or managers when filed. This search is free and accessible 24/7. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and are used by lenders to perfect liens, are filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State and searchable through the UCC search system on the Secretary of State's website. Business property tax assessments can be researched through the Burt County Assessor's office at 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061, using the property address or parcel number to determine assessed values and tax obligations for commercial real estate.

Tekamah voters are served by the Burt County Clerk/Election Commissioner, located in the Burt County Courthouse at 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061 (phone: 402-374-2955). The County Clerk administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for Burt County residents, including voter registration, ballot preparation, polling place operations, early voting, absentee voting, and election result certification. Nebraska voters can register online through the Nebraska Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration system at https://www.nebraska.gov/apps/sos/voter-registration/ up to 6:00 p.m. on the third Friday preceding any election (the voter registration deadline). Registration requires a valid Nebraska driver's license or state ID card. Nebraska does not offer same-day voter registration; residents must be registered by the deadline. Tekamah, as an incorporated city, holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions. City elections in Nebraska communities are typically held in odd-numbered years, often in the spring (April or May), separate from federal and state general elections. Residents should check with Tekamah City Hall at 202 North 13th Street (phone: 402-374-2900) or the Burt County Clerk for specific information on the next scheduled municipal election, candidate filing deadlines, and any local ballot measures. Tekamah voters can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Burt County Clerk or by using the polling place lookup tool on the Nebraska Secretary of State's website at https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview. Nebraska public records law makes certain election-related records publicly accessible, including voter registration lists (available for lawful purposes), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable through the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission at https://www.nebraska.gov/government/nadc/), candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 general election, Burt County reported voter turnout consistent with rural Nebraska patterns, with approximately 70-75% of registered voters casting ballots in the presidential election. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Burt County and Tekamah voters will decide several significant races. Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Deb Fischer is up for election in 2026. Nebraska's gubernatorial election is not scheduled for 2026 (next in 2026 would be state legislature and other offices). Nebraska's unicameral State Legislature (nonpartisan) holds elections for half its seats every two years; Tekamah voters will elect their state senator representing District 16. County offices on the 2026 ballot will likely include Burt County Commissioner positions, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, County Attorney, and other county offices depending on term schedules. Voters should verify the specific offices and any local ballot measures with the Burt County Clerk as the election approaches. Nebraska voters can request absentee ballots (called early voting ballots in Nebraska) by submitting an Early Voting Ballot Application to the Burt County Clerk; applications are available on the Secretary of State's website or from the County Clerk's office. Early voting begins 35 days before each election, and voters may vote early in person at the County Clerk's office or request a ballot be mailed to them. Mail-in ballots must be received by the County Clerk by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted (postmarks do not count). Nebraska does not require an excuse to vote early or by mail; any registered voter may request an early ballot.