Table of Contents
What Are Nebraska Vital Records?
Nebraska vital records are the recorded documents of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces occurring in Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services started keeping birth and death records in 1904 and marriage and divorce records from 1909.
For marriages before the said record-keeping date, you can contact the country where the marriage license was filed or the NSHS - Nebraska State Historical Society. You can check divorce records before 1909 with the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Nebraska?
You can get a copy of birth records in Nebraska by filling out the application form and submitting it either through mail or online application. The fee for a copy of a Nebraska birth certificate is $17.
Nebraska birth certificates are not open to the public. Only the following persons are allowed to order and receive a copy of a Nebraska birth certificate:
- The person named on the certificate.
- The parents of the person named on the certificate.
- The spouse of the person named on the certificate.
- A legal guardian of the person named on the certificate
- A member of the family of the person named on the certificate.
- An employee of the Department of Health and Human Services involved in a research project approved by the state.
- The legal representative of any of the persons mentioned above.
To request NE birth records by mail, send a $17.00 check or money order to "Vital Records" (no credit cards). You must include the following information:
- Full name of the child on record; if adopted, list adoptive name and state.
- Birth details - month/day/year.
- City or town of birth/county of birth.
- Father's/parent's full name at birth. If adopted, submit the adoptive father's name.
- Mother's/parent's full name at birth. If adopted, list the adoptive mother's maiden name.
- The reason why you need the record.
- If you're not getting your personal record, state how you are related.
- A photocopy of the applicant's current government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license.
You can download and fill out this Birth Certificate Application Form. After completion, print and mail it to DHHS.
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065,
Lincoln, Nebraska
68509-5065
Other Application Types
- Application for Amendment With Instructions - contact the office at (402) - 471-2817 if adding the father's name to the certificate.
- Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Application - You can apply for this type of application by mail or walk-in.
- Nonviable Birth, Commemorative Certificate - A nonviable birth is an unintended, spontaneous fetal death that happens before the twentieth week of pregnancy and has been confirmed by a medical professional. This certificate does not serve as proof of live birth.
You can contact the office at (402) 471-2871 or visit them at Nebraska State Office Building 301 Centennial Mall South First Floor, Lincoln, NE 68508.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in Nebraska?
You can get a copy of death records in Nebraska by filling out the application form and submitting it either through mail or online application.
Nebraska death certificates are not open to the public. Only the following persons are allowed to order and receive a copy of a Nebraska death certificate:
- The parents of the person named on the certificate.
- The spouse of the person named on the certificate.
- A legal guardian of the person named on the certificate.
- A member of the family of the person named on the certificate.
- An employee of the Department of Health and Human Services involved in a research project approved by the state.
- The legal representative of any of the persons mentioned above.
Important details to know when requesting a death certificate:
- When requesting your parent's death certificate, you must provide your birth certificate. Your parent's details appearing on your birth certificate will be your proof.
- If you are looking for your spouse's death certificate, submit a copy of your marriage certificate.
You can contact the office at 402-471-2871for any other request.
Please note that you can only request a death certificate for your immediate family members, including your:
- Parent
- Child
- Spouse
To request NE death records by mail, send a $16 money order or check made out to "Vital Records" and include a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID with your request, including the following information:
- Full name of deceased; if female, list married name or any other name/s used.
- City or town of death.
- Date of death.
- Reasons why you need the record.
You can download and fill out this Death Certificate Application Form. After completion, print and mail it to DHHS.
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065,
Lincoln, Nebraska
68509-5065
How Can I Get a Copy of a Nebraska Marriage Certificate?
You can get a copy of marriage records in Nebraska by filling out the application form and submitting it through mail or online application.
Nebraska marriage records are not available to the public for the first 50 years. The only people who are allowed to order and receive a copy of a Nebraska marriage certificate are:
- The bride or groom on the record.
- The parents of the bride or groom on the record.
- The legal guardian of the bride or groom on the record.
- A member of the family of the bride or groom on the record.
- The employee of the Department of Health and Human Services who is involved in a research project approved by the state.
To request a copy of a NE marriage certificate, you must provide:
- Full name at birth of bride and groom.
- City or town of marriage.
- Date of marriage.
- Name of the county where the marriage license was issued.
- The reason the certificate is needed.
You can download and fill out this Marriage Certificate Application Form. After completion, print and mail it to DHHS.
Important thing(s) to remember:
If you request your parents' marriage records, you must provide your birth certificate. Your parents' details appearing on your birth certificate will be your proof.
Genealogical Use:
Only birth and death records are available for genealogical use.
Requesting BY MAIL:
When requesting by mail, you must include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver's license), the application form, and a $16 money order or check payable to "Vital Records."
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065,
Lincoln, Nebraska
68509-5065
How Can I Get a Copy of a Nebraska Divorce Certificate?
You can get a copy of divorce records in Nebraska by filling out the application form and submitting it through mail or online application.
Nebraska divorce records are not available to the public for the first 50 years. The only people who are allowed to order and receive a copy of the Nebraska divorce certificate are:
- The divorced parties.
- The attorneys of the divorced parties.
- The parents of the divorced parties.
- The legal guardian of the divorced parties.
To request a copy of NE divorce records, you must provide:
- Name of husband.
- Name of wife.
- The legal representative of any of the persons mentioned above.
- Month/day/year divorce was granted.
- City or town where divorce was granted.
- The reason the certificate is needed.
- A photocopy of your current government-issued photo ID of the person making the request.
Important thing(s) to remember:
If you request your parents' divorce records, you must provide your birth certificate. Your parents' details appearing on your birth certificate will be your proof.
Genealogical Use:
Only birth and death records are available for genealogical use.
Requesting BY MAIL:
For by-mail requests, you must include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver's license), the application form, and a $16 money order or check payable to "Vital Records."
You can download and fill out this Divorce Certificate Application Form. After completion, print and mail it to DHHS.
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065,
Lincoln, Nebraska
68509-5065