Find a court case, docket, or judgment
North Dakota Courts online case search
Statewide case lookup by name or case number; for certified copies and full files, contact the Clerk of District Court in the case county.
Where To Start
Pick the record type first, then go to the office that actually maintains it in North Dakota.
Order a birth, death, or marriage certificate
North Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records
Official certificates are issued by the state vital records office and require ID and eligibility; certified copies are not available from third‑party summaries.
See deeds, mortgages, or liens on a property
County Recorder/Register of Deeds in the property’s county
Land records are recorded at the county level and indexed by grantor/grantee, legal description, and document number.
Check property ownership, value, or parcel details
County Assessor/Equalization Office
Assessor records list current owner, parcel ID, legal description, and assessed value; many counties offer searchable portals.
Run a criminal history check or locate an inmate
North Dakota BCI for criminal history; ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for custody status
BCI maintains the statewide criminal history repository; DOCR lists current custody/supervision information.
North Dakota Record Sources
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Courts (Statewide Case Search) | Dockets, case summaries, party information | Case number, party name, attorney name | Online Search | Not all images or older cases are online; official copies come from the county Clerk of District Court. |
| Clerk of District Court (County Level) | Filed pleadings, judgments, divorce decrees, certified copies | Case number, party names, filing date, county | In Person, Mail, Some Online Requests | Fees and copy options vary by county; bring ID for certified copies if required. |
| North Dakota Department of Health – Vital Records | Birth, death, and marriage certificates; divorce verifications | Full name, date/place of event, parents’ names, spouse’s name | Online Request, Mail, In Person | Eligibility and identification are required for certified copies; a verification is not a certified decree. |
| County Recorder / Register of Deeds | Deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, plats | Grantor/grantee name, legal description, document number, recording date | In Person, Mail, Some Online Index/Images | Recording is county‑based; legal descriptions help when addresses do not match parcel boundaries. |
| County Assessor / Equalization Office | Property ownership, parcel data, assessed values | Parcel ID, situs address, legal description, owner name | Online Portal (varies), In Person, Phone | Assessment data is not proof of title; use Recorder for deeds and liens. |
| North Dakota BCI and Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation | State criminal history checks; inmate/offender status | Full name, date of birth; offender ID (if known) | Online Info, Mail Requests, In Person (as applicable) | BCI checks may require fingerprints or consent; DOCR listings show custody/supervision and may exclude juveniles. |
Helpful Search Inputs
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth or approximate age range
- Case number, citation number, or docket number
- County and court level (district/municipal)
- Property address or parcel/parcel ID
- Legal description (section-township-range, lot/block, subdivision)
- Document number or recording date for land records
- Business or LLC name and state file number (if known)
- Offense or filing date; booking or offender ID (if known)
Route By Record Type
Court Records
Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in North Dakota district courts.
- Where To Start
- Search North Dakota Courts online; then contact the Clerk of District Court in the case county for full files or certifications.
- Best Search Input
- Case number or party name plus county and filing year.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies are issued by the Clerk of District Court and carry a seal; online printouts are typically informational.
Vital Records
Birth, death, and marriage certificates; divorce record verifications.
- Where To Start
- North Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records.
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date and place of event, and parents’ or spouse’s names.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies require ID and eligibility; third‑party databases cannot issue official certificates.
Property & Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, and parcel ownership and valuation.
- Where To Start
- County Recorder/Register of Deeds for recorded documents; County Assessor for parcel ownership and values.
- Best Search Input
- Parcel ID or legal description; grantor/grantee name; document number or recording date.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified land record copies come from the Recorder; assessor printouts are not proof of title.
Criminal History & Inmates
State criminal history checks and offender custody/supervision status.
- Where To Start
- North Dakota BCI for criminal history; ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation for inmate/offender lookup.
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date of birth, and any offender or DOC number.
- Official Copy Note
- BCI results are official for the purpose requested; they do not replace certified court judgments or case files.
Business Filings & UCC
Corporate registrations, trade names, and Uniform Commercial Code filings.
- Where To Start
- North Dakota Secretary of State business search and UCC records.
- Best Search Input
- Business name, organization number, or debtor/secured party for UCC.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies and good‑standing certificates are issued by the Secretary of State.
Official Records vs Background Checks
Official North Dakota sources are best when you need certified copies, court filings, deeds, vital records, or agency‑maintained documents tied to a specific case, parcel, or event. Background check services can help with broad, name‑based searches across many jurisdictions, but their data may be incomplete or outdated and cannot replace court clerks, recorders, or the state vital records office for official copies.
How To Request Official Copies
- Identify the record type and the correct North Dakota office (state agency or county office).
- Confirm availability and copy type needed (plain vs certified, full file vs summary).
- Gather identifiers: names, dates, case or document number, county, parcel ID, and your government‑issued ID if required.
- Choose a request method: online portal (if offered), mail with completed form, or in‑person visit.
- Include any required authorization or eligibility documents and pay applicable fees using accepted payment methods.
- Track processing and verify the seal/signature on receipt if a certified copy was requested.
Limits and Accuracy Notes
- Statewide searches may not include every municipal or older historical record; check the specific county when in doubt.
- Name‑based searches can return multiple people; use date of birth, middle name, or case number to narrow results.
- Some records are restricted, sealed, or redacted by law, including juvenile matters and certain vital records.
- Recent filings and recordings can take time to appear online; expunged or set‑aside records may be removed from public view.
- Parcel numbers and addresses can change; rely on legal descriptions for precise land record matching.
North Dakota Public Records FAQ
How do I search North Dakota court cases online?
Use the North Dakota Courts case search by name or case number to locate a case. For full files or certified copies, contact the Clerk of District Court in the case’s county.
Where can I get a North Dakota birth certificate?
Order through the North Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records. You’ll need proper identification and eligibility. Requests can typically be made online via an approved vendor, by mail, or in person.
How do I find who owns a property in North Dakota?
Start with the County Assessor for current owner and parcel details, then check the County Recorder/Register of Deeds for deed history, mortgages, and liens. A parcel ID or address helps.
Can I request a statewide criminal background check?
Yes. North Dakota BCI processes state criminal history record checks. Depending on purpose, fingerprints or signed consent may be required. Results do not replace certified court judgments.
Are divorce records available from the state?
Certified divorce decrees are issued by the Clerk of District Court in the county where the case was filed. The state vital records office may provide a divorce record verification, which is not a decree.