Except for criminal cases, juvenile cases, and proceedings in habeas corpus cases wherein a poverty affidavit is filed and approved by the court, costs shall be payable when actions are commenced and thereafter when liability for additional costs accrues. Counsel are responsible to the clerks for costs incurred at their request.
§ 6-1414.Costs.
Article 14: Uniform County Court Rules of Practice and Procedure · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceSection 6-1414 makes costs payable when a case is filed and again whenever additional costs accrue, exempts criminal cases, juvenile cases, and approved poverty-affidavit habeas corpus proceedings, and holds counsel personally responsible to the clerk for costs incurred at their request.
Full Text of § 6-1414
Plain-English Summary
Section 6-1414 sets the basic rule on when court costs come due in county court. Costs are payable at the moment an action is commenced, and again later whenever a step in the case triggers additional cost. There are three exceptions: criminal cases, juvenile cases, and habeas corpus proceedings where the court has approved a poverty affidavit — in those, the usual pay-as-you-go approach does not apply.
The rule also assigns responsibility. When counsel asks the clerk to do something that generates a cost — issuing process, for instance — counsel is on the hook to the clerk for that cost, regardless of how the fee eventually gets allocated between the parties at the end of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do court costs have to be paid in a Nebraska county court civil case?
When the action is commenced, and again later whenever additional costs accrue.
Are there case types exempt from paying costs up front?
Yes. Criminal cases, juvenile cases, and habeas corpus proceedings with an approved poverty affidavit are exempt under Section 6-1414.
Who is responsible for paying the clerk when counsel requests something that costs money, like issuing process?
Counsel is responsible to the clerk for costs incurred at their request.
Does an approved poverty affidavit excuse all costs in every type of case?
The exemption for an approved poverty affidavit under this section applies specifically to habeas corpus proceedings.
Does this rule decide who ultimately bears the cost at the end of a case?
No. It addresses when costs are payable and who is responsible to the clerk for costs incurred at their request, not the final allocation of costs between parties.
Source & verification. Section text is
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Judicial Branch, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Nebraska. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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