Berthold, North Dakota Public Records

The District Court also handles misdemeanor criminal cases and small claims matters up to $15,000. Berthold does not maintain a separate municipal court; all violations of city ordinances are prosecuted through the District Court system. The North Dakota Supreme Court provides public access to court records through the statewide portal at www.ndcourts.gov, where users can search case records by party name, case number, or attorney. The ND Courts online system provides access to case summaries, docket entries, party information, and judgments for most civil and criminal cases, though some records such as sealed documents, adoption files, and certain juvenile matters are restricted. Court records are also available for in-person inspection at the Ward County Courthouse during regular business hours, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. Exemplified copies (with full authentication for out-of-state use) cost $15. Case filing fees vary by case type: civil complaints typically require a $75 filing fee, small claims cost $30, and criminal case fees are set by statute.

The Assessor's website at www.wardcountyassessor.com provides free online access to property information through a searchable database where users can search by owner name, property address, or parcel number to view assessed values, property characteristics, building descriptions, sale history, and tax information. The online system displays current and historical assessment data, exemptions, and special assessments. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, mineral rights, and other instruments affecting real property, the Ward County Recorder's Office is located at 315 3rd Street SE, Minot, ND 58701, phone (701) 857-6460. The Recorder maintains all documents recorded under North Dakota Century Code Title 47 (Property). Ward County provides free online access to recorded documents through a searchable database on the county website, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, legal description, or document number. Images of recorded documents are available for viewing and printing at no charge for recent recordings; older documents may require in-person research or payment for copies. Recording fees are set by state law: the first page of a document costs $10 to record, and each additional page is $3. Ward County also maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through www.wardcountygis.com, providing interactive parcel maps with overlay layers for zoning, flood zones, township sections, and other geographic data linked to assessor information.

The Bakken oil boom of the 2010s significantly impacted Berthold's economy, with many residents working in oil field services, drilling operations, and related industries; while oil activity has moderated from peak levels, energy sector employment remains significant. The North Central Research Extension Center, operated by North Dakota State University near Minot, provides agricultural research and extension services that support the regional farm economy. Major employers accessible to Berthold residents include Minot Air Force Base (approximately 30 miles south), which employs over 5,000 military and civilian personnel and drives significant regional economic activity; Trinity Health hospital system in Minot; Minot Public Schools; and various retail, service, and manufacturing businesses in the Minot area. The median household income in Berthold has historically been modest, reflecting the small-town rural character, though exact current figures vary with census timing and energy sector fluctuations. Berthold experienced population growth and housing development during the peak oil boom years of 2010-2015, and while growth has stabilized, the city maintains steady population levels. The community's economy benefits from its location on Highway 52, providing convenient access to Minot's employment centers and services while retaining lower-cost rural living. Small businesses in Berthold include local service providers, agricultural suppliers, and convenience retail, serving both residents and the surrounding rural area.

Law enforcement services for Berthold, North Dakota, are primarily provided by the Ward County Sheriff's Office, located at 315 3rd Street SE, Minot, ND 58701, phone (701) 857-6400. The Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over unincorporated areas and provides contract policing services to smaller municipalities in Ward County, including Berthold. Residents can request police reports, incident reports, and accident reports by contacting the Sheriff's Office in person or by submitting a written request; the office website at www.wardcountysheriff.com provides additional information on records requests. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol services, criminal investigations, and emergency response for the Berthold area. For arrests and jail bookings, the Ward County Jail maintains an online inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office website, showing current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots when available. The roster is updated regularly and provides transparency into recent arrests throughout Ward County. North Dakota public records law is governed by North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-04, the state's Open Records Statute, which presumes that all government records are public unless specifically exempted. Under NDCC 44-04-18, law enforcement agencies must provide access to public records within a reasonable time, though certain records such as ongoing investigation files, confidential informant information, and juvenile records may be exempt. Fees for copies are limited to actual costs of reproduction. Residents seeking records should submit requests in writing, identifying the specific records sought with reasonable particularity. The Sheriff's Office processes most routine records requests within 3-5 business days.

Certified copies can be ordered online through the state's VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com (with additional processing fees), by mail with a completed application form and payment, or in person at the state office in Bismarck. Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests and immediate for in-person requests. North Dakota law restricts access to birth records for 100 years and death records for 50 years; only eligible individuals (the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest) may obtain certified copies, and valid photo identification is required. For genealogical research of older records, the State Historical Society of North Dakota maintains historical vital records. Marriage licenses are issued by the Ward County Recorder's Office at 315 3rd Street SE, Minot, ND 58701, phone (701) 857-6460. The marriage license fee is $65, and couples must apply in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days. Marriage records are public and can be searched through the Recorder's Office. Divorce records are maintained as court records through the District Court Clerk's office at the same address, phone (701) 857-6490, and can be searched through the state court system online portal or by contacting the Clerk's office directly. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10 for the first page plus $2 per additional page.

For businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, North Dakota requires fictitious name registration (also called an "Assumed Name" or trade name filing) through the North Dakota Secretary of State. The Secretary of State's office, located at 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505, phone (701) 328-4284, website www.sos.nd.gov, maintains the statewide business records database. The North Dakota Business Registration search tool at https://firststop.sos.nd.gov allows free public searching of corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, nonprofits, and assumed names registered in the state. Users can search by business name, registered agent, or business ID number to view entity status, formation date, principal office address, registered agent information, and officers/directors. Formation fees are $100 for corporations and $135 for LLCs; assumed name certificates cost $25 and must be renewed every five years. Annual reports are required to maintain good standing status. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and business assets, are also filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State and searchable through the First Stop Business portal. For property tax information on commercial properties in Berthold, business owners should contact the Ward County Assessor's Office at (701) 857-6470 or search the online assessor database at www.wardcountyassessor.com for assessed values and tax obligations on business real estate.

Berthold voters are served by the Ward County Auditor-Treasurer's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 315 3rd Street SE, Minot, ND 58701, phone (701) 857-6460, website www.wardcountynd.gov. North Dakota is unique among U.S. states in that it does not require voter registration – eligible residents may vote by presenting valid identification at their polling place on Election Day, under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 16.1-01. Acceptable ID includes a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, tribal government-issued ID, or long-term care certificate. The ID must include the voter's name, current residential address, and date of birth. Voters who have moved or whose address has changed may use a supplemental documentation such as a current utility bill or bank statement. This system eliminates registration deadlines but requires proper identification. Berthold holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council positions; as a small city, elections are typically held in June of odd-numbered years, with the next regular municipal election scheduled for June 2025. Candidates for city office must file petitions with the City Auditor at Berthold City Hall by the April deadline. Local ballot measures and city budget questions may also appear on municipal ballots. Ward County elections are held concurrently with state elections in even-numbered years for county commissioner positions, sheriff, state's attorney, and other county offices. Berthold residents vote at polling places assigned by the Ward County Auditor based on precinct; voters can confirm their polling location by contacting the Auditor's office at (701) 857-6460 or checking the North Dakota Secretary of State's Polling Place Finder at https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVote.aspx. In the November 2024 general election, Ward County reported approximately 58% voter turnout with strong participation across rural precincts including Berthold. On November 3, 2026, Berthold and Ward County voters will decide several significant races: North Dakota does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (Senator John Hoeven's term runs through 2028 and Senator Kevin Cramer through 2024), but voters will elect the North Dakota Governor (incumbent Kelly Armstrong's first term ends in 2028, so 2026 will not feature a gubernatorial race unless special circumstances apply; verify current cycle), state legislative seats for the North Dakota House and Senate, Ward County Commissioner positions, and potentially local school board and special district races. North Dakota elections are officially nonpartisan for judicial and many local offices, though legislative and statewide races reflect party affiliations. Absentee voting in North Dakota is available to any qualified voter; applications for absentee ballots must be submitted to the Ward County Auditor's office by 5:00 PM the day before the election. Absentee ballots can be requested by mail, email, or in person, and completed ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or delivered in person to the Auditor's office by the polls closing at 7:00 PM on Election Day. Election records that are public in North Dakota include precinct-level results (available through the Secretary of State at https://results.sos.nd.gov), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (searchable at the Secretary of State's Campaign Finance portal), and candidate filing information. North Dakota does not maintain a traditional voter registration database because registration is not required, but poll books and voter history are maintained by county auditors.