North Dakota public records
North Dakota Courts public access, county recorders and FirstStop business search cover different records. For a criminal-history report, use BCI's request process rather than assuming a court-name search has the same scope. Agency open-records requests follow a reasonable-time standard.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsNorth Dakota Courts | Use public district-court search and the listed court-access instructions. | Online lookup and clerk-copy services differ. Search results omit confidential information and do not constitute a certified criminal-history report. |
| Property and land recordsNorth Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner | Find local assessment resources; use the county recorder for recorded land documents. | County and recording-network charges vary. An assessment entry is separate from the recorded deed and lien index. |
| Business recordsNorth Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop | Search business entities and available filings through FirstStop. | Search and certified-record services have different charges. Registration and professional licensing have separate custodians. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceNorth Dakota Health and Human Services | Choose birth/death ordering or the relevant marriage/divorce record instructions. | Certificate and local-copy fees apply. Eligibility is required for restricted certificates; complete divorce files come from the district court. |
| Criminal-history checksNorth Dakota Attorney General BCI | Follow the criminal-history record-check form and identifier requirements. | A processing fee applies unless an exemption is available. A North Dakota criminal-history record check is different from commercial background screening or a national search. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in North Dakota
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person can request open records without ordinarily explaining the purpose. A request need not generally be written.
- How to submit
- Identify the North Dakota agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Records must be provided within a reasonable time. A delay must be justified by the circumstances, rather than an invented fixed waiting period.
- Fees and estimates
- Standard copies and authorized search or redaction time may be charged under statutory limits and free-time allowances. Request a written estimate.
- If access is denied
- Ask for a written denial and legal authority. The Attorney General can issue an open-records opinion on a timely complaint.
North Dakota records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: North Dakota public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Open Records Law (N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18), I request electronic copies of the county's approved minutes and final public-works contract for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
North Dakota public records FAQ
Where can I find North Dakota court records?
Use public district-court search and the listed court-access instructions. Search results omit confidential information and do not constitute a certified criminal-history report.
Sources: North Dakota CourtsAre North Dakota public records free?
Standard copies and authorized search or redaction time may be charged under statutory limits and free-time allowances. Request a written estimate. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: North Dakota official public-records guidance; North Dakota Courts; North Dakota Health and Human ServicesHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in North Dakota?
Choose birth/death ordering or the relevant marriage/divorce record instructions. Eligibility is required for restricted certificates; complete divorce files come from the district court.
Sources: North Dakota Health and Human Services; North Dakota CourtsIs a North Dakota court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. A North Dakota criminal-history record check is different from commercial background screening or a national search. Follow the criminal-history record-check form and identifier requirements.
Sources: North Dakota Attorney General BCI; North Dakota CourtsSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- North Dakota official public-records guidance — checked
- North Dakota Courts — checked
- North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner — checked
- North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop — checked
- North Dakota Health and Human Services — checked
- North Dakota Attorney General BCI — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions