Vital Records & Certificates in Lexington, NebraskaDawson County Clerk

In agricultural Lexington, vital records serve unique rural purposes beyond typical urban needs. Farming families require multiple death certificates for complex estate settlements involving land inheritance, birth certificates for children enrolling in 4-H programs, and marriage certificates for young couples establishing new farming operations. The documents facilitate generational transfers of agricultural legacies that have sustained this Platte River community for over 150 years.

Lexington residents obtain birth certificates from the Dawson County Clerk at 700 N Washington St, conveniently located in the courthouse square just blocks from downtown. Most area births occur at Lexington Regional Health Center or require transport to larger facilities in Kearney or Grand Island, with all Nebraska births registered through the county system. The clerk’s office charges $12 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record. Rural families particularly appreciate the office’s understanding of agricultural schedules, often accommodating early morning or late afternoon appointments during planting and harvest seasons when traditional business hours prove challenging.

Couples planning weddings at Lexington’s charming venues like the Dawson County Fairgrounds pavilion or intimate ceremonies at Johnson Lake obtain their licenses directly from the county clerk at 700 N Washington St. Nebraska requires no waiting period, allowing couples to marry immediately after receiving their license. The $15 fee makes marriage licenses affordable for young farming families and retirees alike. The clerk’s office operates on small-town principles, often staying a few minutes past closing time to accommodate working couples who can’t visit during regular business hours.

Death certificates for Dawson County residents, whether they pass at Lexington Regional Health Center, area nursing facilities, or family farms, are handled by the county clerk with the compassion expected in tight-knit rural communities. Each certified copy costs $10, among the most affordable rates in Nebraska. The office understands that agricultural families often need multiple copies for insurance claims, land transfers, and estate settlements involving farming operations passed down through generations.

Divorce decrees processed through Dawson County District Court are available from the clerk’s office for $1.50 per page. The small-town court system ensures personal attention to each request, with staff often remembering regular customers and their specific needs. Most divorce records are readily accessible, though older cases may require searching archived files stored in the courthouse basement. The affordable pricing reflects the county’s commitment to making official documents accessible to all residents.

The Dawson County Clerk at 700 N Washington St operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with slight modifications during harvest season when rural residents’ schedules become more demanding. Free parking is plentiful around the historic courthouse square, including spaces directly in front of the building. The office accepts cash, checks made payable to ‘Dawson County Clerk,’ and money orders, though credit card processing is limited. The courthouse’s central location on Washington Street makes it easily accessible from any direction, just two blocks north of the railroad tracks and three blocks from Main Street’s business district.

From Highway 30, turn north on Washington Street and proceed to 700 N Washington St. The courthouse is located in the town square, two blocks north of the railroad tracks.