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Buffalo County Register of Deeds

Announcements

Notice of Documentary Tax Change

All Nebraska Counties - Pursuant to NE LB78, starting September 3, 2025, Documentary Stamp tax for Nebraska will change to $2.32 per $1,000.

Notice of "Recorded Deed Notice" Scam

The scam address and phone number have changed. The amount now shows $86.00 — it was $83.00 during their last attempts 4 years ago. The Register of Deeds Office is a public office and a copy of their Deed can be acquired during regular business hours for $.50 a page. This is a SCAM — DO NOT SEND MONEY TO THIS COMPANY!!

If you need or want a copy, please come the Register of Deeds Office at the courthouse and we can provide you a copy for $0.50 a page. For any questions please contact Jen Schleusener, Buffalo County Register of Deeds at (308) 236-1239.

Scam Details

Register of Deeds Info

Office Duties

The Register of Deeds Office is responsible for maintaining and securing the permanent land records of the County. The Register of Deeds is a separate office in counties that have more than 20,000 inhabitants.

The duties include the preservation and recording of the land records. Every document must be proofed, indexed, and all transactions meeting the statutory requirements. This office routinely deals with complex legal descriptions and requires accuracy and detail. Legal documents, such as, but not limited to Deeds, Mortgages, Deed of Trusts, Easements, Subdivision Plats, and any and all documents that affect a specific tract of land in the county. In addition to the Public, this office is utilized by Real Estate Companies, Title and Abstract Companies, Appraisers, Attorneys, and Genealogist.

Jen Schleusener

Register of Deeds

PO Box 1270
Kearney, NE 68848
308.236.1239
308.236.1291
deeds@buffalocounty.ne.gov

Record Access

The Register of Deeds records are available on the Free Public Access computers. All copies and Buffalo County plat books are available to purchase in the office. The following online services are also available:

Laredo = If you are looking for online access and want a subscription.

Tapestry = You need a copy immediately or are a frequent user, pay with credit card.

For information on Laredo and Tapestry, visit the Deeds Records Online page below.

Deeds Records Online

Office History

The first courthouse of Buffalo County erected at Gibbon in 1873. History tells us that the Gibbon Courthouse records were placed in a wagon, brought to Kearney at night hidden in the “Chandler Building” where the Telephone Company is today.

The first deed recorded in Buffalo County was a 40-acre tract of land in Section 13, Township 9, North, Range 13 West. The date of the recording was February 12, 1870.

More Buffalo County History

Term History

T.J. Scott: Jan 1894 - Jan 1898

David Mathieson: Jan 1898 - Jan 1902

T.G. Spencer: Jan 1902 - Jan 1906

V.B. Wheelock: Jan 1906 - Jan 1915

T.J. Scott: Jan 1915 - Jan 1927

Lydia Finke: Jan 1927 - Jan 1935

Mabel Rice: Jan 1935 - Jan 1959

Sam Spahr: Jan 1959 - Jan 1975

Margaret Swanson: Jan 1975 - Jan 1999

Kellie John: Jan 1999 - Feb 2026

Jen Schleusener: Feb 2026 - Present

Property Fraud Alerts

According to the FBI, Property & Mortgage Fraud is the fastest growing white collar crime. It can be as simple as someone recording a document in the Buffalo County Register of Deeds office land records that fraudulently makes it appear as if they now own your property.

To address these concerns, your Register of Deeds Office have a FREE service that will notify you when or if a document is recorded that matches your personal criteria.

As your Register of Deeds, I urge you to monitor the Public Real Estate records filed using your name.

Sign up now! It’s simple. Just enter your personal or business name and your contact information and you will be notified by the method selected as any documents are recorded in the future.

- Jen Schleusener, Register of Deeds