Government Records

Government records are created or received at all levels, from the smallest village to the largest federal agency. History Nebraska holds about 20,000 cubic feet of paper records and close to 100,000 rolls of microfilm. The records date from 1854 to the present and are open to the public unless restricted by law.

Government Records Collections

• Federal Government Records
• State Government Records
• County Government Records
• Municipal Government Records
• Special District Government Records

Information for Government Agencies

Nebraska Revised Statute 82-104 expressly indicates that History Nebraska shall be the custodian of all public records, documents, relics, and other materials deemed to be of historic value and found in any government offices that receive appropriations from the Legislature, or in any of the county courthouses, city halls, or other public buildings within the State of Nebraska.

The primary method by which Government Records are collected is through transfer by local, county, and state entities per records management retention schedules. To check if your records are scheduled to come to the State Archives, please refer to the records retention schedules found on the Secretary of State’s website:

• State Government Schedules
• Local Government Schedules

To start the transfer process for archival records, please email the State Archivist at anna.holley@nebraska.gov with some information about the records you would like to transfer. Once the transfer is approved, you will use this form to transfer their custody to History Nebraska.

History Nebraska Government Records Transfer Form

If you are unsure whether something is archival, or you have any questions about the transfer process, please contact the State Archivist at anna.holley@nebraska.gov or 402-471-4783.