Guide
North Dakota Judgments & Liens Search at a Glance
In North Dakota, money judgments come from the district courts. The clerk of the district court dockets each money judgment in the judgment docket, and it is then a lien on the debtor's real property in that county, except the homestead; a transcript filed with the clerk of another county dockets it there too. UCC financing statements are filed online with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Always confirm the official record by ordering a certified copy from the originating office when accuracy matters for closing, refinancing, or litigation.
Guide
Where to search court judgments in North Dakota
District Court Case Search, from the North Dakota Court System, shows case information for criminal, traffic and civil cases in the district courts, and the same page takes payments by county.
Guide
Where liens are recorded in North Dakota
On filing the judgment roll, the clerk of the district court dockets a money judgment in the judgment docket, and filing a transcript with the clerk of another county dockets it there. It is a lien on all of the debtor's real property in each county where it is docketed, except the homestead (N.D.C.C. 28-20-13). A construction lien is perfected by recording it with the county recorder within ninety days after the claimant's contribution is done (N.D.C.C. 35-27-13).
Guide
North Dakota UCC filings
Lien filings with the North Dakota Secretary of State, UCC filings among them, must be made online through the North Dakota Central Indexing System, which also holds state tax liens, federal tax liens and judgments. Its public search needs no login.
Guide
How long a judgment lien lasts in North Dakota
A judgment docketed after August 1, 2021 is a lien for twenty years from docketing in the county where it was rendered. One docketed before then is a lien for ten years and can be renewed by affidavit in the ninety days before the ten years end (N.D.C.C. 28-20-13 and 28-20-21). A creditor can enforce a judgment by execution at any time within twenty years after it is entered (N.D.C.C. 28-21-01).
Guide
Finding the debtor's assets after judgment in North Dakota
North Dakota's procedure is the proceeding supplementary to the execution in N.D.C.C. chapter 28-25. Under 28-25-01, when an execution is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part, or the judgment debtor refuses to apply property to the satisfaction of the judgment, the court may require the judgment debtor to appear and answer concerning the judgment debtor's property, and under 28-25-02 the examination is held in the county where the debtor resides. The answers are under oath, and the court may then order property applied to the judgment.
The court files help even though North Dakota keeps the divorce property and debt listing confidential under N.D.C.C. 14-05-24.3. The judgment's narrative division of property, stipulations, support orders and QDROs are public and show what each spouse received. A bankruptcy file in the District of North Dakota lists deposit accounts by institution and the employer by name. The North Dakota asset search page covers both.
Guide
Court forms and self-help in North Dakota
The North Dakota Legal Self Help Center, from the North Dakota Court System, has guides and forms for people without a lawyer, including a guide for creditors on collecting a judgment.
Guide
Federal & National Authoritative Sources
By state
Judgments and liens in other states
Straight answers
North Dakota Judgments & Liens Search, questions
How long is a judgment lien enforceable in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, a money judgment is enforceable as a lien for 10 years from the date it is entered or properly docketed. Creditors who want to extend collection beyond that period must file a renewal motion with the issuing court before the lien lapses. Read the North Dakota statute.
What is the deadline for filing a mechanics lien in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, a mechanics lien (also called a construction or materialman's lien) must generally be filed within 90 days after the claimant last furnished labor or materials to the project. Different deadlines may apply to general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, so check the exact statute before relying on this window. Source: North Dakota statute.
What property is protected from judgment creditors in North Dakota?
North Dakota protects a homestead, the debtor's primary residence, up to $8,450 in equity from forced sale by most judgment creditors. Personal property exemptions (motor vehicle, household goods, tools of trade, retirement accounts) are listed separately in the state code. Confirm the current amount on the official source.
Where do I file or search a UCC-1 in North Dakota?
UCC-1 financing statements for personal-property collateral in North Dakota are filed with the Secretary of State (or equivalent state filing office). Open the official North Dakota UCC filing portal. Real-property liens (mortgages, judgment-lien dockets, mechanics liens) are recorded at the county recorder/clerk where the property is located, not at the state level.