Permits and Licenses obtained at the York County Courthouse

State Identification Cards: One must apply for a state identification card with the driver’s license examiner at the York County Courthouse.To apply for the ID card, one must present to the driver’s license examiner two forms of proof of age and identity such as a birth certificate, a valid or expired driver’s license or learner’s permit or school permit, a U.S. passport, marriage license, school records from a grade school or high school containing name and date of birth, valid immigration or alien registration papers. A social security number is required. Cards issued to persons under age 21 expire on the person’s 21st birthday. Cards issued to individuals over 21 expire after five years.

Driver’s license: To pick up a Nebraska driver’s manual, one can go to the County Treasurer’s office or the York Police Department. Apply for a driver’s license at the York County Treasurer’s office. The licensed driver is required to bring the old license, proof of identification and age, social security number to the treasurer’s office on the first floor of the courthouse. All drivers must take a vision test. Valid out of state licenses will be honored. Drivers applying for a license for the first time are required to take a driving test.

Those people at 16 years old may file for a Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP) which allows for unsupervised driving between 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. And if they have no violations, they can file for a operator’s license when they are 17.

Learner’s permit applicants must be at least 15 years with the exception of school permit which allows a person 14-years-old to drive between home and school. Learner’s permit applicants must present proof of I.D.,  a Social Security number, and  a certified birth certificate.

Other licenses include farm husbandry permits to allow use of agricultural equipment, a motorcycle license, commercial license for driving vehicles over 26,000 pounds, and a school bus permit.

Registering a motor vehicle: Vehicle owners are required to renew vehicle registration with the  York County Treasurer’s Office annually. Applicants must bring in proof of insurance and old registration (or the reminder postcard) and pay at least $25.50  as well as a vehicle tax which varies depending on the age and make of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is registered with another state, the owner must have a representative from the York County Sheriff’s Office inspect the vehicle, for a $10 fee. Now the entire process of registering and licensing a vehicle can be done at the treasurer’s office.

If the vehicle is new to the owner, the owner must bring from the dealer a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, a sales tax form or bill of sale, and proof of insurance. If the vehicle was purchased out of state, the Sheriff’s Office must inspect the vehicle. In addition to the registration, the owner must pay sales tax on the vehicle.

U.S. Passport: Applicants apply for passports with the clerk of the District Court. An applicant must be a United States citizen. Application requires two passport pictures, a certified copy of the person’s birth certificate, and a picture ID. Fees should be paid in two checks: a $25 application fee to the passport agent and a $75 fee for the passport office. For minors, the fees would be $25 and $60. A passport is good for 10 years. A $60 fee may be paid for expedited service not including urgent mailing or delivery service which may be arranged by the customer. Passport pictures can be purchased at most photography studios and at numerous stores.

Marriage licenses: Couples apply for marriage licenses at the county clerk’s office in the York County Courthouse. Required for application are $15, a photo ID. If the applicants are under 18, they will need a parent’s signature/consent. On the application, couples must include name, address, occupation, education, birth date, social security number, the city and state where their parents were born, the number of marriages and the date the most recent marriage ended. Blood tests are no longer required. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $5.

Permit to purchase a gun: If the applicant is a resident in the county, a permit may be obtained from the York County Sheriff’s Office. If the applicant lives within York city limits, a permit should be obtained from the York Police Department. A photo ID is required to obtain the permit. The applicant must fill out a form and pay $5 fee for a handgun. There is a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours. No person with a felony conviction (who has not had the conviction expunged or set aside) may purchase, lease, rent or receive a transfer of a gun.

Zoning permits: If the building is to be constructed outside the two-mile radius around York and outside Henderson and the villages, a building permit should be obtained from the county. If the building will cost under $1,000, the fee is $5. If it will be over $1,000, the cost for a permit is $20. Permits for farms are free. Villages and cities issue their own permits.