Nevada's criminal history system is fingerprint-based and maintained by the state Department of Public Safety. Records go back to 1987 and are available through a $27 request to the RCCD -- the Records, Communications and Compliance Division. Nevada also has one of the more clearly structured record sealing frameworks in the country under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 179, with specific waiting periods keyed to offense category and an immediate sealing option for non-conviction cases. One important limitation: record sealing in Nevada restores voting rights, the right to hold office, and jury eligibility -- but it does not restore firearms rights. A pardon is required for that, even after a record is sealed. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes Nevada Arrest Records Public
Nevada's public records framework is governed by the Nevada Public Records Act. Criminal history information is governed specifically by Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 179A.
The Nevada Department of Public Safety's Records, Communications and Compliance Division serves as the state's central repository for criminal history record information. Records in the repository are fingerprint-based and cover arrests and dispositions from 1987 forward. Records prior to 1987 must be requested directly from the arresting agency.
Access is tiered by purpose. Law enforcement agencies may receive all criminal history information available in Nevada and nationally for criminal justice purposes. The general public may access criminal history records but with limitations governed by NRS Chapter 179A. Individual arrest records -- booking logs, incident reports -- can be requested directly from the arresting law enforcement agency.
Exemptions from public access include juvenile records, sealed records, and active investigation materials.
What a Nevada Criminal History Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A Nevada criminal history record from the DPS RCCD is fingerprint-based and includes personal identifying information: full name, known aliases, date of birth, and physical description. It includes arrest data for each fingerprinted arrest on record from 1987 forward: the arresting agency, date of arrest, charges, and all court dispositions as reported. If the person was incarcerated, sentence and release data are also included.
Because the repository is fingerprint-based rather than name-based, results are more reliable for identity verification than name-only searches through other systems.
How to Search Nevada Arrest Records
The Nevada DPS Records, Communications and Compliance Division is the primary official source for statewide criminal history. To request a criminal history record, complete the Request for Nevada Criminal History (Form DPS-006), attach a fingerprint card if requesting someone else's record, and submit with the $27 fee. The RCCD is at 333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100, Carson City, NV 89706. Phone: 775-684-6262. Mail and in-person requests are accepted.
Nevada courts provide another access point for case-level records. The Nevada Courts website provides access to district court and justice court case information. For Clark County specifically -- home to Las Vegas and the largest population center in Nevada -- the Clark County District Court and Justice Court maintain searchable online case records. For any county, the county court clerk is the right contact for case records.
County sheriff offices maintain booking records for recent arrests. Nevada has 17 counties (16 counties plus Carson City as an independent city) and each county sheriff manages the local jail. Most county sheriff offices publish online inmate rosters or booking information. For anyone recently arrested, the relevant county sheriff's website is where to look.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Nevada's counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the Nevada DOC system and many county facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in Nevada
Nevada has 17 county-level jurisdictions and each manages its own detention facility. County detention centers hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving shorter sentences.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Nevada Department of Corrections system. The NDOC provides a free online offender search accessible through the NDOC website at doc.nv.gov. You can search by name or offender ID to locate current state inmates and get facility and sentence information.
Federal Arrests in Nevada
Federal arrests in Nevada are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. Nevada is home to significant federal activity, particularly in the Las Vegas and Reno areas.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the Nevada DPS criminal history system.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Nevada maintains both in its fingerprint-based criminal history system, which means a non-conviction arrest from 1987 forward may appear in a criminal history check until sealed.
Charges can be dropped, cases dismissed, and juries acquit. In all of those situations the arrest entry remains in the DPS repository unless sealed under NRS 179.255. Nevada's sealing statute for non-conviction cases has no waiting period -- a person can petition immediately after dismissal or acquittal.
Nevada Record Sealing Under NRS 179.245 and 179.255
Nevada's record sealing framework is codified in NRS Chapter 179 and does not use the term expungement. Record sealing in Nevada means the records are removed from public access and the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred. However, records are not destroyed -- certain government agencies, professional licensing boards, and law enforcement can access sealed records under specified circumstances.
For non-conviction cases -- dismissals, acquittals, declines to prosecute -- NRS 179.255 provides that the petition may be filed immediately with no waiting period. If the prosecuting agency stipulates to sealing, the court applies a presumption in favor of sealing. If the prosecuting agency does not object within 30 days, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
For conviction cases, NRS 179.245 sets tiered waiting periods measured from the date of release from actual custody or discharge from parole or probation, whichever is later:
Category A felony, crime of violence, or residential burglary: 10 years.
Category B, C, or D felony (generally): 5 years.
Category E felony: 2 years.
Gross misdemeanor: 2 years.
Misdemeanor (general): 1 year.
Misdemeanor involving domestic violence battery: 7 years.
Certain offenses cannot be sealed regardless of waiting period. Crimes against children under NRS 179D.0357, sexual offenses enumerated in NRS 179.245, felony DUI, and home invasion with a deadly weapon are categorically ineligible for sealing.
Effect of sealing: Once a Nevada record is sealed under NRS 179.285, the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred and the petitioner may answer "no" when asked about the arrest or conviction on most applications. The right to vote, hold office, and sit on a jury are restored. However, the right to bear arms is not restored by record sealing in Nevada and requires a pardon under NRS 202.360.
The petition is filed in the court with jurisdiction over the original case -- district court for felonies, justice or municipal court for misdemeanors. Filing fees vary by court. The petition must include a copy of the petitioner's verified criminal history record obtained from the DPS RCCD.
InmateAid's guides on record sealing and expungement cover Nevada's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after sealing is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Nevada arrest records public?
Yes, under the Nevada Public Records Act and NRS Chapter 179A. Most adult criminal records are public. The DPS RCCD provides statewide criminal history records (fingerprint-based, 1987 forward) for a $27 fee. Individual arrest records from specific agencies can be requested directly from those agencies. Sealed and juvenile records are not accessible to the general public.
How do I search Nevada arrest records?
Submit Form DPS-006 with a $27 fee to the DPS RCCD at 333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100, Carson City, NV 89706, phone 775-684-6262. For court case records, check the Nevada Courts website or the relevant county court. For recent arrests, check the relevant county sheriff's website. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For real-time custody status, VINELink at vinelink.com provides free notifications. For NDOC state prison inmates, search at doc.nv.gov.
What does a Nevada criminal history record contain?
A Nevada DPS criminal history record is fingerprint-based and covers arrests and dispositions from 1987 forward. It includes personal identifying information, arrest data (agency, date, charges), and all dispositions reported by courts. Records prior to 1987 must be requested directly from the arresting agency.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Nevada?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. Non-conviction arrests from 1987 forward appear in the DPS repository until sealed. Under NRS 179.255, dismissed and acquitted cases can be sealed immediately with no waiting period.
How do I find someone in a Nevada county jail?
Check the county sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. Nevada's 17 jurisdictions each operate their own detention facility and most publish online booking rosters. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many Nevada facilities and provides free notification registration. For someone sentenced to state prison, use the NDOC offender search at doc.nv.gov.
Can I search federal arrest records in Nevada?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the Nevada DPS criminal history system.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Nevada?
Nevada criminal history records are maintained indefinitely unless sealed. Non-conviction records (dismissals, acquittals) can be sealed immediately under NRS 179.255. Conviction records require waiting periods of 1 to 10 years depending on offense category under NRS 179.245. Certain serious offenses can never be sealed.
Who qualifies for record sealing in Nevada?
Under NRS 179.255, persons arrested but not convicted may petition immediately. Under NRS 179.245, persons convicted of eligible offenses may petition after the applicable waiting period: 1 year for most misdemeanors; 2 years for gross misdemeanors and Category E felonies; 5 years for Category B/C/D felonies; 7 years for domestic violence battery misdemeanors; 10 years for Category A felonies, crimes of violence, and residential burglary. All fines and obligations must be satisfied.
What offenses cannot be sealed in Nevada?
Under NRS 179.245, certain offenses are categorically ineligible for sealing regardless of time elapsed: crimes against children under NRS 179D.0357, certain sexual offenses enumerated in NRS 179.245, felony DUI, and home invasion with a deadly weapon. These remain permanently on the criminal history record.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
Nevada's DPS criminal history system includes arrests and dispositions -- both convictions and non-conviction outcomes. A dismissed or acquitted case will appear until sealed under NRS 179.255, which has no waiting period. Filing a petition in the court with original jurisdiction, along with a copy of the DPS criminal history record, is the path to sealing qualifying non-conviction arrest entries. ---
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