Government Records

Government records are created or received at all levels, from the smallest village to the largest federal agency. The Nebraska State Historical Society 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 the Nebraska State Historical Society 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

For instructions regarding the process of transferring archival records to the State Archives, please see the first page of the Public Records Transfer Form. You will use this form to transfer records to the State Archives.

For guidance regarding transferring electronic records to the State Archives, please review the file, Preparing Electronic Records for Transfer.

If you are unsure whether something is archival, or you have any questions about the transfer process, please contact the State Archivist at [email protected] or 402-471-4783.