About Cathay
Economically, Cathay is primarily supported by agriculture, with many residents engaged in farming and related activities. The city is situated near the scenic Sheyenne River, which has historically provided resources for irrigation and recreation. Cathay is part of the larger region that has seen a gradual population decline over the decades, reflecting broader trends in rural North Dakota. The city holds a city council meeting on the first Monday of each month at the Cathay Community Hall, providing residents with opportunities to engage in local governance and community development.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Cathay
Wells County Sheriff's Office
Wells County Sheriff's Office North Dakota, Fessenden. 1,126 likes · 47 talking about this. To Serve and Protect the citizens of Wells County!
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Cathay
North Dakota Court System
A Notice of Consultation regarding a vacancy in North Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 5, with chambers in Minot, has been posted. This notice is provided under North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 7.2.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Cathay
Wells County Recorder
Property records for Cathay, North Dakota are maintained by the Wells County Recorder. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Wells County, including Cathay.
About Cathay North — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Wells County Jail in Fessenden is the primary detention facility for Wells County. Individuals arrested anywhere in Wells County are brought here for booking, processing, and holding pending court appearances or bail. The Sheriff's Office provides inmate lookup services, allowing family members and legal representatives to obtain information about detainees. Visitation at the facility typically requires advance scheduling and strict adherence to security protocols. Bond and bail procedures follow North Dakota's legal guidelines, with amounts set by the court and posted to secure release.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Wells County are maintained by the Wells County Sheriff's Office. These documents capture the details of arrests made throughout Wells County, including the nature of offenses and arresting officer information. Residents and attorneys seeking access to arrest records can contact the Sheriff's Office directly, following procedures outlined under the North Dakota Open Records Statute. The records typically include personal information, charges filed, and arrest dates.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Wells County covers various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Wells County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal background checks through the Bureau, which compiles information from multiple law enforcement agencies across the state.
Vital Records
The North Dakota Department of Health (https://www.health.nd.gov/) maintains vital records for the state, including birth, death, and marriage certificates for Cathay and other communities. Individuals can request copies of these records by contacting the department's Vital Records Division.
Business & Licensing Records
The North Dakota Secretary of State's Office (https://sos.nd.gov/) provides public access to information about registered businesses in Cathay and throughout the state. Details on business registrations, filings, and other corporate records are available for those researching the local economy and commerce in this small agricultural community.
Economy & Demographics
The North Dakota Department of Commerce (https://www.business.nd.gov/) provides economic data and statistics for communities like Cathay, including information on local industries, employment, and economic development initiatives. This resource can be used to gain insight into the economy and trends within the Cathay community.
Elections & Voter Records
Cathay, North Dakota voters are served by the Wells County Auditor's Office, Wells County's election authority. Located at 626 Railroad Avenue, PO Box 359, Fessenden, ND 58438, phone (701) 547-3141, the office handles voter registration, maintains voter rolls, conducts elections, tabulates results, and preserves election records for all county precincts including the area around this community. North Dakota stands alone among U.S.
States in not requiring voter registration, eligible residents can vote simply by appearing at their polling place on election day with proper identification proving residency in the precinct. Acceptable identification includes a North Dakota driver's license, North Dakota non-driver identification card, tribal government-issued ID, or supplemental documentation for those without acceptable ID. This streamlined system means residents don't need to register in advance but must bring appropriate identification to their assigned polling place. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council members, though the exact schedule and terms of office are determined by city ordinance. Small North Dakota cities typically hold elections on standard dates established by state law, often in June of odd-numbered years for municipal offices, though this varies. Residents should contact Cathay City Hall or check with the Wells County Auditor to determine upcoming municipal election dates and candidate filing information. Local voters also participate in Wells County elections for county commissioner districts, county auditor, county treasurer, county sheriff, and other county offices; state legislative elections for their assigned North Dakota House and Senate district; and federal elections for U.S. House of Representatives (North Dakota has one at-large congressional district), U.S. Senate, and President. To find their assigned polling place, residents should contact the Wells County Auditor's Office at (701) 547-3141 or check the polling place lookup tool on the North Dakota Secretary of State's website at https://vip.sos.nd.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Cathay voters are published by the North Dakota Secretary of State Elections (https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections). Absentee voting in North Dakota is available to any eligible voter who will be absent from their precinct on election day, or who prefers to vote absentee for any reason. Residents can request absentee ballots by contacting the Wells County Auditor's Office; applications are typically available approximately 40 days before an election. Absentee ballots can be submitted by mail (must be received by the deadline, not just postmarked) or delivered in person to the Wells County Auditor's office. Early voting is available at the Wells County Auditor's office for a period before the election. Public election records available to North Dakota citizens include official election results by precinct (available from the Wells County Auditor and Secretary of State), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (available through the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.nd.gov), and candidate filing information. North Dakota does not maintain a public voter registration database since the state does not require voter registration.
Public Records Resources for Cathay, North Dakota
Official government websites for Cathay, North Dakota and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov,.us, or.mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or.com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- North Dakota Birth RecordsRequest birth and death certificates from the ND Dept. of Health.
- North Dakota Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the North Dakota Secretary of State.
- North Dakota Death RecordsOnline resource for finding free death records from the ND Dept. of Health.
- North Dakota Federal CasesSearch the ND Court system to find information and public records on federal case filings.
- North Dakota Lawyer LookupVerify an attorney's licensing status with the ND Lawyers Directory.
- North Dakota MarriagesPublic search of the North Dakota marriage index.
- North Dakota Divorce RecordsAccess divorce records or request divorce certificates from the ND Dept. of Health.
- North Dakota Unclaimed PropertySearch property and claim status by individual name or business through the ND State Unclaimed Property Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I vote in Cathay, North Dakota?
North Dakota is the only U.S. state that does not require voter registration. To vote in Cathay, North Dakota, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and have lived in your North Dakota precinct for at least 30 days. Bring valid photo ID and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or current driver's license) to the polls. For more information, see the North Dakota Secretary of State elections page at sos.nd.gov. North Dakota requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the North Dakota Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Cathay, contact the Wells County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Cathay, North Dakota?
Property records for Cathay, North Dakota are maintained by the Wells County Director of Tax Equalization's Office and the Wells County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Wells County, including parcels in Cathay. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Wells County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many North Dakota counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Wells County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Cathay, North Dakota?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Cathay, North Dakota residents are available through both county and state offices. The North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, located in Bismarck, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in North Dakota. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Wells County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Wells County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.